WHAT KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHER ARE YOU?

My sessions are relaxed and laid-back to allow everyone be themselves and let those special moments shine. I don't force smiles or have lots of standing around looking at my camera. My focus is on you and your family and interacting with each-other. My session galleries often have a storyboard feel - full of moments that are an archive of your life and days now, to look back on and remember these days. I would classify my work as a combination of Lifestyle Photography and Family Portraiture. 

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DO I GET THE DIGITAL IMAGES FROM MY SESSION?​

Yes, you do! My All-Inclusive Session includes all the digital photographs from your session which is 75+ photos in both color and black and white. My Petite Session includes 10 photo's from your gallery of 30-50 images that you choose. Specials/Mini's include 8 photos of your choice from your gallery.

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CAN I ADD MORE PHOTO'S TO DOWNLOAD ONCE I SEE THE GALLERY?​

Yes! My Petite Session allows you to add more photographs for $20 per photo or buy the whole gallery for $150. My All-Inclusive Session includes all your session photo's in color and black & white and a Slideshow of your images.

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WHERE WILL WE TAKE MY PHOTOS?

I know all the best spots for outdoor sessions in every season in and around the Philadelphia area, including the surrounding counties, New Jersey and The Jersey Shore. You can also choose to have your photo's taken at home, or in a Philadelphia based studio location. I'll have you complete a quiz to find out more about your needs to suggest locations that fit you best not too far from your location. 

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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR MY SESSION?​

I am a natural light photographer so the time of day is important to get the look and feel you see in my portfolio. I prefer to shoot in Golden Hour or early in the morning, when the light is low in the sky, giving a warm, soft and flattering light. This time of day is just before dusk or in the morning around 9/10am or earlier. I understand that Golden Hour might not always be a fit for you depending on the time of year - so don't worry if Golden Hour doesn't work for your schedule - I will find the next best time to still get the prettiest most flattering light for you and your loved ones.

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WHAT IF MY CHILD WON'T COOPERATE?

Don't worry! This is a normal and common fear for parents. I am a Mom myself and completely understand this worry. I have some tips for parents in my 'Welcome Guide' to help the session go smoothly and ease your worries. The biggest thing is to keep it light-hearted so the kids find it easy to enjoy themselves and don't feel any pressure to perform or smile. I also have lots of tricks up my sleeve to get children to loosen up and can capture happy moments of you and your loved ones for your gallery even if we do have an unhappy kiddo or an anxious teen in our session. 

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WHAT AGE IS BEST FOR NEWBORN SESSIONS?

I'd advise to photograph newborns in the first few of weeks of life if you are wanting to capture that fresh newborn look. Babies only stay curled up and sleepy for a couple of weeks after birth and are a lot more alert and active from 6 weeks old. However, many people decide a month or two after birth suits their pace and schedule best and this gives baby a chance to be a little more awake and active for the photo's which they prefer. Let me know if you'd like to discuss the difference in Newborn Sessions with younger and older babies. I can send you some examples to help you decide what's best for your family.

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ARE YOU TRAINED IN NEWBORN SAFETY?

I never pose an infant in a way that makes them uncomfortable or risks injury and mainly keep babies in parents arms. I have taken newborn health and safety classes with the National Health Service in England. I also have an active Health & Safety certification with the Red Cross.

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

I provide a 'Welcome Guide' that gives you lots of help and advice on clothing choices and colors for your photo's. The biggest things to remember are - be comfortable and be you, but avoid bright colors, big graphics and logos. I also recommend keeping newborn clothing simple and minimize any changes to keep the session focus on baby and moments with them vs a selection of outfits they could wear.

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CAN I BRING MY DOG?

Yes, you can bring your dog along to your session or include them during in-home sessions! We will do some photo's with and without them and I'll even try and get your a doggy headshot! ;)

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WHAT IF IT RAINS FOR MY OUTDOOR SESSION?

I want you to enjoy your session and for it to be an easy, stress-free experience. I monitor the weather ALWAYS and make a plan to avoid the rain by shifting the session time or if it's rain all day (rare) we can reschedule your session. We can't control the weather and when shooting outside I often have rainy days and cloudy days for sessions. We only need a break in the rain to be comfortable and can time our session with the hourly forecast for a few hours of dry weather to stay comfortable out there. Many photo's in my portfolio have been taken on rainy days, cloudy days and/or between showers. Cloudy days make beautiful photo's, they enhance spring and fall color, they show-off the crispness of winter and make everyones skin looks flawless. If your session looks cloudy or has a chance of rain ... no worries - they often do, we will make a plan and be ok!

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HOW LONG AFTER THE SESSION WILL I GET MY PHOTOS?

I never like my clients waiting around for photo's. All galleries will be delivered within 14 business days, usually earlier.

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CAN I ORDER PRINTS OR ALBUMS?

I really want you to use and enjoy your photo's as soon as you can- so I partnered with a professional photo lab to offer you a premium printing service straight from your gallery to your door. There are delicate hand-torn edged prints, gorgeous linen-bound albums, slick magazines, modern card-stock calendars, an array of greeting cards, and classic prints on the highest quality printing papers. It's really easy to select photo's to print or frame or build an album and even has little tutorial videos... so you can get busy enjoying your prints instead of meaning to get them off your hard drive! Of course - you can print them elsewhere too - this is just an option! Ask me if you'd like to see some samples of the Printing Service.

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I also offer a custom-designed luxury lay-flat album service for All-Inclusive Sessions. This album includes a selection of your gallery photos and is archive quality. This option is an optional add-on.

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HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD I BOOK?

As soon as possible! I have bookings up to a year ahead and get very full a couple of months out at a time. I do leave space for Newborn Sessions and rain reschedules - so last-minute bookings can often be accommodated. I do advise booking Newborn Sessions while you are pregnant if you are looking to capture the early days.

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DO YOU OFFER SPECIALS OR MINI SESSIONS?

Yes, I offer seasonal mini sessions! I want to keep my photography accessible to as many people as possible. And have clients coming back year after year. Sometimes a Mini 20-minute Session is all they need to refresh their family photo's. Mini Sessions are also a great way for people to 'try out' a Photo Session at a pre-arranged location. Mini's are usually offered a couple of times a year. Follow me on Instagram to stay up-to-date on those special offers. My Petite 30-minute session is offered year-round and can be booked on weekdays only.

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HOW DO I BOOK?

Contact me directly at hello@sophieserrano.com or via the Contact page. Looking forward to working with you. ​

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