What is the length of a typical photo shoot?

It can take anywhere between 1-2 hours.  This allows time to work with a variety of poses, one outfit change, different backgrounds, and lighting conditions.  Baby photo sessions, engagements, and bridal sessions may take longer than 2 hours. 

How do you identify your primary photographic style?

I speak to my clients to find out what type of style they prefer.  Personally, I enjoy shooting with a bit of creativity. I look for interesting pictures based on expressions, color, lighting, and backgrounds. I tend to capture images with a photojournalistic and traditional style.

Do you charge for travel?

If it is beyond 50 miles, I charge $2.50 per each additional mile. If it is beyond travel by car, please contact me directly for pricing.

Do you offer your digital images on a CD or DVD?

Yes. I offer High and Low resolution images which can be purchased individually or on CD, DVD, or Flash Drive. The Low-Resolution images are ready to upload on Facebook, Myspace, Ipods, or to send via email and the High-resolution images can be printed at a local lab.

Do you limit the number of pictures you take?

No.  I will work with you until there are many quality images to choose from.

Where can I see my proofs?

Your password protected proofs are available online within 48 hours after your session.  Airbrushed images may take up to 7 days. 

Can I pay for my session fee and pictures online?

Your session fee is due the day of the session by check or cash.  You may also pay in advance.  The photos are available for purchase online by debit or credit card.  If your check fails to clear the bank, resulting in an NSF, you will not receive your final product and your gallery will not be accessible until full payment for services has been made.  An additional $15 fee will be added to your total. If you have already received your product, you will be asked to pay immediately.  If you fail to do so in a timely manner, legal action may be taken.

Do you charge late fees?

 I request that you pay for services in advance, therefore there should not be any late fees.  However, if you agree to a payment arrangement, full payment must be made in a timely manner and before you receive your product.  If your services have not been paid for within 1 month of your session or not within your agreement with Destiny Photos, then there will be a $30 late fee added to your balance.  If we have not received your payment within 6 months, you will receive an additional $25 late fee and your account will be sent to collections.

How long will it take to get my pictures?

For all sessions except Weddings, basic photos are available to select 24-48 hours after the session. Enhanced images are available in 7 days.  After the selections have been made and you have placed your order, it will take 3-6 business days, unless you select 2 day or priority.  
For weddings, the untouched images will be available for the bride and groom only, 24-48 hours after the wedding. They will be completely ready for the bride, groom, family, and friends(with airbrushing and photo enhancement) 10-14 days after the wedding. After selections have been made, the photos will be delivered in 3-6 business days unless you select 2 day or priority.  The photo album takes 6-8 weeks. 

Do you photograph black and white pictures or black and white with color?

All photographs are taken in color which can be converted into black and white and/or have selective coloring.  If requested, I can also shoot in true monochrome digital black and white.  However, these would not be able to be converted to color.

Do you offer mounted prints and/or what are they?

Yes we do.  A mounted print is adhered to a firm mat board and will prevent bubbling and wrinkling over time.  Framing these images without a glass eliminates glare and distraction.  Mounting images larger than an 11x14 is suggested.

Do you do any airbrushing or photo retouching?

Yes. I can retouch your images to give you just the look you want; smoother complexion, removing lines/wrinkles, brightening/whitening teeth, removing blemishes, removing bags under eyes, and trimming unwanted areas.  Photo color saturation can also be added to images, as well as sepia tone instead of black and white.  Retouch is a free service for the photos selected by the photographer. Photo retouching will add extra time to your order processing. 
If the customer requests additional photos to be retouched (outside of the images chosen by Destiny Photos), this will be available at $15 0r $25 per additional image. Please see individual pricing for details.  You may also order this service in bulk.

Do you recommend clothing choices?

Yes and this depends on the genre of your session.  Simple, solid colors, generally work best for most types of sessions.  Stay away from distracting patterns.  For group photos, similar clothing choices work best.  Individuals have more freedom in clothing design choices.

Where is your studio?

I am an on-location photographer.  This means that I carry my studio with me.  I work from home, but do not have a home studio.  I can suggest a variety of outdoor locations or I can work with your choice.  I can also shoot indoor sessions at your home. 

Do you do special events?

Yes, I am available for special events.  Weddings are the main event that we specialize in, but I can also shoot birthday parties, anniversaries, company parties, or reunions.  Please contact me for special event pricing. 

Are you only a Dallas wedding photographer?

I photograph more than just Dallas Weddings and in many other areas within Texas such as in Plano, McKinney, Garland, Mesquite, Ft. Worth, Mansfield, Lake Dallas, Lake Highlands, and many more areas.  I also photograph a variety of subjects from child photography, maternity photography, family photos, high schoool senior photos, Quinceanera photo shoots and Quinceanera events, modeling shots for a portfolio, corporate shots, head shots, and more!

Why do photographers charge so much?  Can't I just take my family to Walmart, Sears, or JcPenney for their Free Session and Less Expensive package?

Sure, but you do get what you pay for.   When you have your photos taken at these types of studios you may walk away spending less if you only choose One Pose.  You may also expect to hear some of the following: Children and parents stressed out due to the long wait time, babies crying, lots of noise from siblings fighting,  and parents getting on to their children,  an underpaid and possibly inexperienced photographer, and to be rushed through your photography experience.  

Experienced photographers with their own business generally charge more for many reasons. 

     One reason is the time they put into the customers' experience.  We want you to enjoy the entire process, so we take our time with you.  We are patient with little ones. It doesn't bother us if they need a bottle, snack, toy, pacifier, or some loving during a session.  We don't like to rush or limit the number of exposures we take during a session. 

     Another reason is that we often have a lot of experience and passion for what we do.  We have devoted many hours to perfecting our shots, catching candid images, and developing a work of art.  We enjoy providing the customer with many poses to choose from and include multiple images in every package.

     Moreover, we use the best equipment possible to produce superior results.  Destiny Photos uses all Nikon Photography equipment and high-end Sony Printers and specialty labs. 

     In addition, we offer 100% satisfaction and usually never have to take "re-takes."  We have strong feedback from previous customers and we also allow a Customer to own their digital images, something that most studios do not offer.

     One more thing that is not usually mentioned is the amount of time that we put into the photos after they are taken.  I can spend countless hours editing images to remove blemishes, soften skin, add vivid color and special effects to many photos that I do not account for when I book a photography session.  These are unpaid hours that are invested in a customer's portfolio of photos. 

     We can also work one-on-one with a customer to give a variety of packages to fit your needs.  We give excellent customer service and enjoy talking to our customers about their images!  Does that make you think twice about hiring your own private photographer to get the job done?