“Questions are creative acts of intelligence.”
Francis Kingdon-Ward
Frequently Asked Questions
Nervous about what to do when taking photos?
Don’t be! Leave that to me! This should be stress free and fun. The best pictures are in the candid moments. We will get some posed shots as well, but I’ll guide you in what to do and I have a creative process to get the most out of your session. Have your own ideas? Great! We can incorporate your suggestions as well.
Do I get to keep all of my photos?
Absolutely! Your photos will be uploaded to a gallery and you can choose your favorites that I will then edit as part of our agreed upon number of digital downloads. Can’t resist everything you see in the gallery? There are bundled purchase options that allow you to download the entire album, or you can make requests for additional individual edits. You don’t have to decide until you have an opportunity to preview your gallery.
When can I expect to see my photos?
Within 2-4 weeks of your scheduled shoot.
Why do mini sessions seem like such a high cost for less time? What am I getting for my money?
You are getting my experience and the time I put in learning my craft through photo classes, editing classes and workshops. You are also getting high resolution RAW photos and the time I spend editing your photos for a quality experience meant to be treasured for a lifetime
Will you travel anywhere?
Absolutely! I provide most of my services in my studio or in the 77355 area; however, I will travel for an additional fee.
Will you take family photos on my property?
Absolutely! I love capturing favorite things about places that have meaning to my clients. If children under 6 months old will be in the photos, you must schedule sessions in my studio.
Can I purchase gift cards?
Yes! Gift cards are not redeemable for cash. Sessions must be scheduled in advance to redeem Gift Cards. Our cancellation and transfer policies apply to Gift Cards. Gift Cards are void after a second cancellation and are valid up to one year after purchase date. Email spatek@fridaysfotography.com to purchase Gift Cards.
Do you have any certifications as a photographer?
I do not offer any form of certification in photography, because there are no photographer “certifications” that hold authority. The best way a photographer demonstrates their qualifications is through their photography portfolio. A portfolio gives real examples of photographic skills, and is always the most important representation of our abilities. I do participate in photography courses, workshops, and countless online video training sessions to continuously educate myself.
What happens in the event of inclement weather?
In an outdoor session, I will reschedule if I deem the weather to be prohibitive to a quality session. In the event of dangerous driving weather, I will reschedule in studio sessions. These reschedules are at my discretion. We can reschedule for my next available opening.
Do you offer refunds or transfers with canceled sessions?
All of my sales are final. For all portrait sessions, a non-refundable booking fee is required to book and hold the date of your session. This booking fee serves as a cancellation fee. However, the fee can be credited towards a future session upon my approval. All remaining balances are due the day before the session.
Due to the nature of the business, I am not able to grant a refund once you reserve a spot. Depending on circumstances, I will more than likely transfer your session once if you cancel. We can reschedule to my next available session within one year of a cancelled session. Re-scheduling a second time, will require a new booking fee that is valid for one year. No shows are considered a cancellation. 30 minutes late with no prior contact is considered a no show and your session will be canceled as such. The expectation is that you contact us via email at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule a session in order to be considered for a booking fee transfer.
Why is the business name Friday’s Fotography?
My last name means Friday in Czech. It’s a tribute to my husband’s incredible family heritage.
Why Take Pictures?
It’s an investment. You can’t freeze time, but you can capture a priceless memory and stage in your lives.
Do you provide prints as part of my investment?
Absolutely! For a separate fee, you may purchase these directly from your gallery from a high quality photo lab. Prints and albums are highly encouraged. Physical, printed albums can take you back to those special moments in time of your children and the joyful day that we will experience taking your photos. Your future generations will immerse themselves in your stories as they turn the pages while you tell them about the time. We will create works of art that you can display in your home to look at and smile as you remember.
What does my investment include?
Obviously your investment includes the physical process of taking your photos, but there’s so much more that goes into planning and being prepared for your session: My training through a renowned photography class, continued workshop attendance and research to offer you the best photos, agreed upon digital downloads with the opportunity to purchase more, prep time for both outdoor and indoor sessions, brainstorming for posing ideas that match your family dynamic and location, breakdown and cleaning of my props, fabrics, and garments if used. You can wait to see what you love before making any additional digital purchases. You also get an on location shoot or portrait session in my studio with access to props, backdrops, and newborn clothing/wraps. My addiction to purchasing newborn outfits and props is your gain. We will create a fun time making treasured memories.
Where else can we take pictures?
We can schedule outside location shots. You can suggest ideas, or I have a list of beautiful areas around the Tomball/Magnolia/The Woodlands/Spring areas that are perfect for stunning photos. Again, for children under 6 months old, you must schedule sessions in my studio.
When do travel fees apply?
Travel fees will apply if a session is more than 30 minutes outside the 77355 area as follows:
$50 for each additional 30 minutes of travel time. For 80+ miles that may require overnight lodging and additional travel fees, please make an inquiry on my Let’s Talk Page.
What to wear at my session?
For newborns, we have the wraps and clothing. Nothing is needed. For the rest of the family, it is very important to follow my suggestions in order to minimize distracting clothing that will take focus away from subject(s). No bold patterns. They clash. Too many different colors are distracting. Use complimentary colors. No logos or clothing with slogans or other type of wording. Patterns are best accessorized. For ideas, you can do a web search for color palettes using phrase searching such as “wardrobe color palettes for X” (with X being substituted for criteria such as beach scene, senior session, family outdoor portraits, fall portraits, indoor studio, etc.). Then click on images for examples to help you coordinate.
Have you participated in any photography courses?
Yes! I have completed courses through Every Day Photo Class with an instructor who was educated in the science and art of photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My courses were taken in the Midtown, Houston, Texas area to master skills in manual photography, lighting, aperture settings, ISO, and shutter speeds for maximum quality, sharp images. I extended my knowledge by taking additional classes in the area of photo editing software in order to learn the use of layers with creative techniques that include: superimposing subjects, green screen, removing facial blemishes & wrinkles, selective creativity using layer masks, adjustment masks, distortion correct, overlays, and more. I also participate in ongoing workshops with my instructor with access to beautiful locations around the Houston area while she critiques my skills real-time as I’m taking photos. My goal is to use the latest techniques and ultimate level of creativity to produce photos for my clients that will be treasured as works of art. I’m always continuing to learn for my clients.
What experience do you have with newborns and children?
I am the oldest from a blended family where I have 9 sisters and 1 brother. I’ve grown up helping my parents rock my siblings to sleep and entertain them. My husband is 1 of 7 children. We have so many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews that I’ve lost count. Chaos? It doesn’t faze me. I don’t want my clients to get stressed or worried about how their children will behave. Children are unpredictable and we will go with the flow. I was a Girl Scout leader for 4 years, taught Sunday school for 5 years, and I am devoted to my own children and grandchildren. As such, my session times aren’t super strict. We’ve got this!!! Don’t stress! For my newborn photography qualifications, check out my Newborn Page.
It seems like we are a fantastic fit and will have a great time! How do I book?
Fill out my inquiry form on my Let’s Talk Page and we will get started. Booking fee will be collected at the time you reserve your session. Remaining balance due the day prior to the session.
Do you still have a question that was not answered? Please contact me at spatek@fridaysfotography.com or fill out an inquiry on my Let’s Talk page and I’ll be happy to assist.
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