Frequently Asked Questions:
This is where we will try to answer some of the more common questions that come up regarding
our high school senior products and services. If you don't see your question covered here, please
feel free to drop us a line at info [at[ blackforestphoto.com
SENIORS:
Q: My proofs are no longer online, how can I get them back?
A: Your online event has expired. You will need to pay the reposting fee in order to have them online
for another three months. Your original session is posted for three months. This is sufficient time for
you to order your images. The reposting fee is $25. This is noted on the contract, the website and the
proofing site. We will be changing to a studio proofing system shortly, and you will be able to view your
session photos upon completion of your shoot!
Q: If my event has expired or I cannot get computer access, can I come in the studio and view my images?
A: No. We do not have the facilities to support this. We will have this capability shortly, however.
Q: Do all of the prints ordered in my package need to be of the same pose?
A: No, you may select different poses for your package prints.
Q: How much is your sitting fee?
A: We do not have a sitting fee. Our photography packages are structured so that they already include
the cost for a session. There are many photographers that lure you in with a low sitting fee, only to
have you suffer 'sticker shock' when you realize that the sitting fee was conditional on ordering a minimum
package totaling hundreds of dollars. We pride ourselves in not having any hidden fees or shady tactics
to entice you to use our company. We want you to come here because you like our work and trust us.
Q: Can I bring a friend?
A: Yes. You may bring as many of your friends as you wish. You may also have them photographed with
you at your session. They are not allowed to have their individual photos taken alone, however. If they
are purchasing a package as well, they may share a session with you. This is typically very fun and an
excellent opportunity to spark creativity.
Q: How much does it cost to bring a friend?
A: Free. There are no extra charges to include friends in your photos. However, they may not have their
individual photos taken without booking a package.
Q: How much does it cost to change outfits?
A: Free. We do not charge per outfit change. You may bring as many changes of clothes as you like. In
fact we encourage creating different looks for your session so that you may have some variety to choose
from. We do ask that you try to keep you outfit choices to a maximum of about four. That will help us
in keeping your session to reasonable time frame and keep you from getting burned out.
Q: Do you have props?
A: No. We encourage individuals to bring their own props that reflect who they are and what interests
they have.
Q: How much does it cost to include my own props?
A: Free. It costs nothing extra to include your own props. You may have your photos taken with your car,
horse, instruments, pets, etc.
Q: Do you have a hundred different backgrounds to choose from?
A: No. We have a few select backgrounds for the studio. The majority of sessions are outdoors, so we use
what is naturally available there. We like to take photos of people... not backgrounds. In a properly composed
and lit portrait, you shouldn't notice the background, only the person in it. It is also quite time consuming to
change backgrounds and then re-light the scene. We could be using that time to create wonderful images.
Q: How long will my session take?
A: That will depend on several different factors. If it is both indoor and outdoor, how many outfits, etc.
We try to keep most single location sessions to one hour. We try not to rush you, but because of the
number of people scheduling appointments during the peak season of senior portraits, we want to be courteous
to them by expediting the sessions.
Q: Proofing. How do you do it?
A: We utilize online proofing for our portrait sessions. You will need a computer and an internet connection to
view your images. If you do not have these available, you will likely want to find a photographer that has alternate
means of proofing. Your images will be posted to the online viewing site and you will be provided with a password
to view them. You may even order from the viewing site if you wish. In the near future, we will have the ability to
proof your images in the studio upon completion of your session.
Q: How long will it take before I can see my images?
A: It will typically be a week before you can view your images. You will be emailed once your images
are ready to see. Newer sessions will be viewable in the studio upon completion of your session.
Q: How long will it take to get reprints back after I order them?
A: Reprints are usually ready for delivery within two weeks of the order being placed and paid for in full.
Q: Can we make our own reprints, scan our photos, or save them from the web?
A: No. It is a violation of Federal Copyright Law. You may not scan, reproduce or capture our images for any
purpose whatsoever. We are the only ones allowed to legally produce copies of our images. Anyone caught
violating these laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Q: When is payment due?
A: Payment is due, in full, at the time of your photo shoot. If you do not have payment, you will have to reschedule
your session.
Q: Do you deliver the yearbook photo?
A: Yes. We will take care of cropping the yearbook photo to your schools specifications. We will then deliver them
as one batch just before their deadline.
Q: How long do I have to pick my yearbook photo?
A: You need to pick the pose for your yearbook photos immediately upon viewing your online proofs. This is a critical
time sensitive task. Because of the workload involved with getting hundreds of students photos processed, cropped,
printed and submitted, it is imperative that we have your choice first thing! Failure to do so will result in missing your
yearbook deadline, therefore not being included in the publication. Newer sessions will allow you to pick the yearbook
pose before leaving the studio.
Q: How long do I have to order my photos?
A: Your proofs are online for 90 days after they are posted. They will then expire and it will cost $25 to repost them.
It is advised that you at least write down the selections you want if you need to order later. That will avoid having to pay
for them to be reposted. Newer sessions may make an appointment to choose package prints at a later date. We keep
the photo files for one year from the shoot date.
Q: Do you provide retouching?
A: Yes. We include basic, light (acne only) retouching for free, as part of our packages for the prints that you order. Other
types of retouching and digital enhancement will need to be ordered at additional cost. Examples of this are such things
as removing braces, excessive acne, removing objects, whitening teeth, etc.
Q: Do you personalize wallet photos or stamp them with name and year?
A: We generally do not put anything on photos that can compromise the photographic emulsion. If you have a specific
request for personalization, we can give you a quote as to its cost and whether or not it is available from our photo
lab.