Q&A

What are your rates?

Events (parties, socials, sweet sixteens, bat mitzvahs, baby showers, etc): $400 for the first 2 hrs, minimum. $50 for each additional hour.

Family, maternity and non-studio portrait sessions: $390.

Engagement sessions: $400 when done outside a wedding package.

Studio portrait sessions start at $440 for the first hour and $40 for each additional hour.

All-day weddings: (8+ hours) start at $3100 (includes complimentary engagement session).

Corporate portraits: please contact me for a personalized quote. 

What forms of payment do you take?

I accept cash, checks and PAYPAL.

How long does it take for pictures to be ready?

About 7 to 12 days for family, portrait and event photos.

About 5 to 7 weeks for wedding photos.

How many images do we get and how are they delivered/provided?

Events: 40+ images for every hour of photography

Family, maternity, portrait: 20 images

Full-day wedding: My weddings average around 600 images (approximately 60+ images for each our of the wedding day).  The number varies depending on how much is "happening" on the wedding day.  

I provide images either a custom made flash drive or via a link with downloadable images.  Wedding images are provided on a custom made flash drive.

Do you make/provide photo books or prints?

I do not, however I can provide you with good resources.  I think it's best when customers have full control over the process of making an album.  You'll save $$$, can go at your own pace and can choose among as many vendors as you see fit.

Do you include RAW images in your package?

My customers get high resolution JPEG images.  Past customers have made high quality 30 x 36 in (and larger) canvas prints with images they received from me.  I do not provide RAW images.

Do you edit blemishes or other skin "impurities?" 

I perform heavy editing of skin if you request it and charge by the image.  Warning:  It's not cheap!  After we discuss your needs at length, a personalized quote will be generated.

What's the length of a family or maternity portrait session?

Set aside 2.5 hours, starting from the time we meet on location.  Some sessions run shorter and some run longer than 2.5 hrs, depending on layout of shooting location, the distance between shooting locations if more than one is used, mother nature, number of looks utilized, etc.

Do you do newborn sessions?

Yes. My newborn photography is focused on natural lifestyle interactions between parent(s) and baby (mixed with "staged" shots).  If you're seeking posed sleeping-baby studio images, I can point you to photographers who specialize in that genre.  The rate is a flat $500.  These sessions cost more than family & maternity sessions because newborns dictate how things go.  I once had a newborn session that lasted all day, after I was peed on a few times :-)

Do you shoot half-day/abbreviated weddings?

Yes. Contact me and share your needs.  I will be glad to help you with a customized quote.

Do you use an assistant?

Typically, yes. It depends mainly on the size of the wedding and the anticipated logistics.  

Do you work outside the DMV area?

Yes.  I add the cost of flight, ground transportation and accommodation. Please contact me to discuss in detail.  For couples doing destination weddings on a tight budget I'm glad to work on a quote that works for all of us.

Do you do photography full time?

I'm a full time ER/trauma nurse.  Photography however is one of my greatest passions. In keeping with that, part time professional photography helps to maintain its "sweetness."  Sometimes less is more.  

Do you have a favorite genre of photography?

Tough question to answer.  I enjoy most any particular moment of photography that allows flexibility to express my vision and creativity.  As you can imagine, most of those moments present themselves when I'm traveling for pleasure.  You may view those images at www.stevemartinfotoart.com or Steve T. Martin Photography on Facebook.