Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located/what areas do you cover?

I am based just outside of Boston and work in the city itself and the surrounding areas, including Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Lexington, Lincoln, Milton, Natick, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston but will happily travel!  A travel fee will apply for areas outside a 25 mile radius from zip code 02481.

Where/when will my session be held?

I am a natural light, on location photographer. I am happy to work with you to choose the perfect location for your session. Newborn sessions are held in the comfort of your home. Outdoor sessions typically take place in the early morning or within 2 hours of sunset. Indoor sessions are best in the late morning to maximize light within the home.

No way will my kid/spouse cooperate for a full session.

For formal portraits in a studio, I agree that kids might get stir crazy after 5 minutes. My sessions are dynamic and full of energy, and I do my best to work with kids’ natural interests, needs and rhythms. I think most families would say that the time flies. I do not specify a time limit on full sessions, as some families are in and out in 25 minutes, while others need over an hour. I spend the time that is needed to capture a variety of images and to give everyone an opportunity to relax and feel comfortable. Many of my favorite, most authentic images come from the last minute of shooting, so I feel strongly that it is worth it to spend a little time together.

We really need just one good photo for a holiday card. Can we just buy one or two instead?

I offer two or three mini sessions per year. These are at a set location on a specific date and are generally about 5-10 minutes long with multiple families scheduled back to back. This is a great option if you really just want one “everyone-looking-at-the-camera” family photo and are less concerned with candids, or (see above) if you are concerned about the length of a full session. Mini sessions are announced on my Instagram account @augustandiris.

What should I wear?

Your clothing is entirely up to you. For children, I suggest comfortable solid-color clothes, as patterns and logos can be distracting. There is no need to match perfectly, but coordinating a few colors between subjects often looks best. To get you started with some ideas, there are a number of Pinterest boards dedicated to coordinating photo session wardrobes. Because my style emphasizes beautiful light and natural interactions, I often suggest a pretty neutral palette and clothes that everyone can feel comfortable wearing.

How many images can we expect?

All sessions result in at least 40 final edited images, which will be provided in a gallery in both color and black-and-white. All edited images are included in the Full Session purchase price. For Mini Sessions, a small number of images are included in the fee, and there is an option to purchase the full gallery.

Tell me more about the Digital Files and Print Release:

august & iris Photography, LLC retains the copyright for all photos that are taken. The print release allows clients to use and print the photos for personal use. Unedited digital files are not released as they do not fully represent my work.

Are weekend sessions available?

Yes, photo sessions are available any day of the week. Weekend sessions are most popular and should be booked well in advance, if possible.

What if we need to reschedule?

As a mother of four little ones, I know how unpredictable life can be (and how often kids get sick!). If you need to reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can arrange an alternative date.

The weather is not cooperating. What do we do?

In the case of inclement weather, I am happy to do indoor shots in your home. If you prefer outdoor shots, we can discuss options for rescheduling the session.

Can we share images from our session on Facebook, IG or other social media sites?

Absolutely! However, please tag @augustandiris and/or include credit with any photo (ex: “Photo credit: augustandirisphotography.com.”). Posted photos are not to be edited/altered in any way (i.e., filters, special effects).

I am interested in a newborn session. When should I book?

Please contact me when you are in your late 2nd or 3rd trimester, and we can plan on some tentative times based on your due date. I fully understand that deliveries can be unpredictable and will work with you to schedule a time within the first few weeks of your baby’s birth. Typically, we schedule a tentative date and then adjust depending on when the baby comes and how you settle in at home. If you have already delivered and decided last minute that you want photos of your new little love taken, please don’t hesitate to contact me, and I will try to accommodate you!