Studio and on-location sessions
Simple, fair, and built around your time and ours.
When you book a portrait session with us, that time is reserved exclusively for you. We don't overbook or double-schedule, which means your appointment is a real commitment on our end. We honor that commitment to you, and we ask the same in return.
Life happens. Business meetings move, flights get delayed, weather turns, and people get sick. The policies below are designed to be fair to every client, including the ones whose slots we held when someone else canceled.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, please contact your local photographer first. They have your schedule, the travel logistics, and the fastest path to making changes. If you can't reach them, call our main line at 202-257-3918 and we'll help.
| Notice given | Studio sessions | On-location sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 5 or more business days | No charge | No charge |
| 3 to 4 business days | 50% of session fee | 50% of session fee |
| Less than 3 business days | 100% of session fee | 100% of session fee |
| No-show | 100% of session fee | 100% of session fee |
Business days are Monday through Friday. The full policy details are below.
If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, your session may be shortened to keep the rest of the day on schedule for other clients. Your photographer will determine whether there's enough time remaining to start the session. Regardless of the actual length, you'll be responsible for the full session fee.
Out of respect for your photographer and the clients booked after you, please plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early.
On-location sessions involve travel, equipment transport, and dedicated photographer time, so we ask that you treat the notice windows below as firm.
We're reasonable people. In the case of a death in the family, a serious medical emergency, or a genuine act of God, including events on the scale of Snowmageddon or Hurricane Hugo, we'll evaluate the situation case by case. If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, you'll usually know. When in doubt, call us and we'll talk.
Day-of concerns like a bad hair day, a small skin issue, or running into traffic don't qualify as exceptions. The good news: most of these can be addressed once you're in the studio. Our team handles posing, lighting, and expression coaching, and our retouching covers the small stuff. Come in anyway and let us help.
Always contact your local photographer first. They're closest to your session, know the schedule, and can move things faster than anyone else.
If you can't reach your photographer, call our main line at 202-257-3918. Voicemail and email don't count toward notice windows because they're not always seen in time. A real conversation is the fastest way to get this handled.
Thanks for understanding. We're looking forward to your session.
Corporate account clients can reschedule from the link in their confirmation email or from the Scheduling Center.