HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION?
It’s really not as confusing as it may seem. You can contact me through my Facebook Page at Sashem Photography, or by using the contact tab above. I’ll reply by Facebook Message or Email and we start planning your awesome session or wedding! If I’m the right photographer for you the process is:
1. Contact Me
2. Pick Me (I like this part!)
3. Pick your date, time, and session location
4. Fill out the online contract & sign digitally
5. Remit payment for your deposit / session fee
6. Schedule a wardrobe consultation via phone
7. Check in 24-48 hours before your session to confirm your session and go over final details.
8. Get together, have a great time, and create gorgeous images!
9. In appx. 10 days receive your digital files in your private online gallery. (4-6 weeks for weddings)
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
Once you’ve decided we are a great team I will forward a contract to you by email. For weddings you will be required to pay a $350 deposit to reserve your date, with the balance being due 14 days before your wedding. You can make multiple small payments, or a couple larger ones - however it’s most convenient for you.
For portrait sessions you can reserve your date by paying 1/2 down, and the balance is due the day of your session. Or for your convenience you may pay the amount in full.
For both weddings and portrait sessions I accept payment in the form of Credit Card - invoiced and paid securely online, Cash, Paypal, or Personal Checks with prior approval.
Payment Plans are available for all sessions and weddings.
DO WE GET RAW/UNEDITED FILES? DO YOU EDIT OUR IMAGES?
As a full service photography business I choose not to give out unedited / RAW files for any reason. For me it would be the equivalent of going to a restaurant and asking the Chef if she would season the steak and bring it to me raw to cook at home. That’s simply not the finished product I choose to provide to my clients.
I delete all blinks, motion blur, unflattering images - such as those when someone was talking or if clothing is not laying well etc. As well as photos that are duplicate shots, or the lighting / coloring is not ideal. From the rest I choose the very best images and edit them in my professional style, as seen here on my website and on social media accounts. Your portrait packages come with a specific number of files, and I do not limit wedding images - I deliver whatever I feel meets my quality control standards.
WHAT IF WE HAVE TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE?
If for some reason you need to reschedule your session let me know as soon as possible. My calendar can fill up weeks, and during busy season months, in advance and we want to get you back on the schedule as soon as possible. There is no fee to reschedule your session. Session fees (minus the 1/2 deposit) are refundable if you need to cancel your session entirely.
If you need to reschedule your wedding date it is vital that you let me know the new date as soon as possible so that I can ensure I’m not already booked. All wedding deposits are transferred and applied to the new date. Should a wedding be canceled entirely all money paid above and beyond the $350 deposit will be refunded to you. The deposit amount of $350 is non refundable.
As a courtesy you may choose to apply the $350 wedding deposit towards a session of your choice within 12 months of the date of cancellation.
CAN WE INCLUDE OUR PETS IN OUR SESSION / WEDDING?
Yes, yes yes… did I mention Yes!? I’m a pet lover, and have two Aussies of my own that drive me nuts, but I love them dearly. I love incorporating our furry family members in portrait sessions, and I’ve photographed several weddings with handsome pups in bow ties and sequin collars! I’m very comfortable around animals - and I’ve even photographed a wedding on horseback and an engagement session with a couple’s chickens! Just let me know during our planning session if you’ll be bringing any four legged, winged, or scaled friends with you so I can plan appropriately. Not all venues /locations will allow pets on the premises, so it’s something we need to discuss right away to ensure the success of your portrait session or wedding/engagement portraits.
DO YOU HAVE A PORTRAIT STUDIO, CAN WE DO AN INDOOR SESSION?
Yes! I have a lovely little studio located in Puyallup Washington just off of Meridian Ave.
Cake Smash and Newborn sessions always take place in my studio (let me set up and clean up the mess!) unless you’ve booked a lifestyle in-home session.
I have the space to accommodate up to a family of 6 for portraits. Couples, maternity, boudoir, seniors, and kid’s sessions can all be done in studio - and out of the rain! There is no additional fee for the use of the studio or any props I have on hand.
You are always welcome to inquire about what props I can provide free of charge for your newborn, cake smash, or other themed session.
WILL YOU HELP US PLAN OUR SESSION? WILL YOU HELP US WITH OUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOT LIST?
The answer to both of those questions is YES! As a part of your session fee, I offer a referral for hair and make up artists, and a wardrobe consultation. This consult is done via phone at your convenience. We can discuss colors, style, and coordination of your various family members, and I can give you helpful do’s and don’t for picking your outfits. We will also discuss location ideas, and timing to ensure we have good lighting.
With your wedding photography package, I am happy to assist you in creating your timeline to ensure we have enough time to capture all of the images that are important to you. I also provide a photography “shot list” to help ensure we get all of the family groupings and individual photographs that mean the most to you.
HOW DO WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS? WHAT IS AN ONLINE GALLERY?
Your photos will be delivered to you via online gallery - and wedding clients may request a complimentary USB of their images as well. The online gallery is a secure, and convenient way to view, download, and share your images with family and friends.
Editing time varies; 7-10 days for portrait sessions, and approximately 4-6 weeks for weddings (usually about 30 days) and once the edited images are complete they’ll be uploaded into a gallery online and you will be contacted via email with your gallery link. You may share this link with family and friends so they too can enjoy and download the images at no cost to them (and you don’t have to mail everyone photos!)
You’ll want to make sure you download your images right away to a secure location such as an external hard drive. The images will be full size and high resolution so that you can make enlargements easily when you go to print your photos.
DO YOU TRAVEL, AND IF SO IS THERE A FEE?
I travel all over the Pacific Northwest for my Wedding Clients. I do not charge a travel fee for weddings booking my Classic or Luxe Packages as long as the wedding location is within Western Washington. A nominal travel fee and hotel fee would be required for any weddings outside of the Western Washington area.
For portrait sessions, I require that we stay within Southern Western Washington - approximately 50 miles from the Puyallup Washington area. Demi sessions must take place within 25 miles of Puyallup Washington.
I try to work with families to choose a location within my free travel zone to avoid any travel fees. We are lucky enough to have a multitude of amazing locations all around Western Washington to choose from!
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
I am licensed and insured - something extremely important for weddings especially. I operate a legal, tax-paying business and I pride myself on my professionalism.
I think it’s extremely important to support small businesses and do so by purchasing from other Entrepreneurs who design props, own their own hair and make-up businesses, create backdrops, and plan weddings. I believe in shopping small! I have a recommended vendor list of other small business owners that I know and trust - and I love giving out referrals!
I use the Sony camera system and edit exclusively using Photoshop. I hand edit each photo I take, and I love the detailed workmanship in a finely edited image.