PRE-SESSION PREPARATION:

FOR ALL SESSIONS:
After we talk briefly on the phone to set up an appointment, I will send an email with some basic information.
You will get a price list, a map to the studio, clothing suggestions, and a questionnaire.  Please take some
time to fill out the questionnaire so that I can get to know your needs and do some planning ahead of time,
which will help me to give you the best possible experience and the portraits you really want.  Once I have all
of the information, we will talk about clothing options and shoot location if you hope to do an outdoor session.

PLEASE leave your cell phones off during the session.  I do not take calls during our time together, and it really messes
up the rhythm of our session if someone needs to take a break to talk to someone who knows we are in a session!!!

FOR SENIORS:
1. If you are planning to do an outdoor senior session, I require that an adult be present to help hold the flash
and carry equipment.  For the adult helpers, please plan to wear long pants and shoes that can get dirty, as we are
often in fields and we could get a bit muddy, there could be burning grass or mosquitos, or rocky terrain. 
Seniors - we will often have you walk to the spot in your normal shoes and then put on the special shoes one we get
you all set.  If getting a little dirty is something that bothers you or the adults who can help, then we need to rethink
the outdoor session.

2. My schedule in the summer has very little room for flexibility, so if you oversleep, you may not be able to get another
shot at a session until after school starts.  If something comes up and I know far enough in advance, we can make arrangements,
but if you just decide that you would rather go to a movie that night or if you just forget, you may be waiting until the outdoor session
will look more brown than green.

3. Please fill out the questionnaire with the intent of giving me as much information about yourself as you can.  Forms with
the most information help me decide where to take you, what not to do, what unique images I could make for you, and what
images are most important.  The more you give me, the more sure you can be that you are going to walk away images that
will truly reflect who you are!


FOR FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN:
1. For people with small children, PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT practice saying cheese.  The word should be outlawed
because when they say it, we get just horrible sneering smiles that we would not wish on our worst enemy.  I never
ask kids to say anything.  We just play and get silly and that is the only way to get a genuine smile. 

2. What you SHOULD do is pay attention to what gets them laughing AND WHO gets them to smile.  People who bring along an extra
person to a session ALWAYS end up with the most smiles, because one person is on safety patrol while the other
person gets goofy and gets the kids truly laughing and having fun!

3. Snacks are fine to bring, but out of courtesy for the props, backdrops, and your own clothes, please do not
bring things like Doritos or Cheetos or Orange Drink from McDonalds.  Think ahead about what things
will not be stuck all over in the teeth if we need a quick break, and what things will not smear all over their
faces, your shirt (just before it is YOUR turn for a picture), or the white backdrop!

4. If you are bringing an older sibling to a session who may only be in one or two shots, you MUST bring along someone
who can either take the child for a walk or back to school because it is too stressful on moms to be frustrated with bored
children as they try to get the other one to smile.  We want this to be a positive experience for everyone, and there is almost
always a grandma, aunt, friend, etc. who can help out for a bit.

5. Dads almost always get the prize for getting the best smiles from kids.  Moms tend to be the ones the kids NEED, so they want
to go to moms more, and yet dads can bounce around and be goofy and the kids are content to just hang out and smile.  Even if the 
person who gets the laughs could come for just the first 20 minutes of the session and then head back to work, we would be miles ahead!


AFTER THE SESSION:
When the session is done, I'll process the images and get in touch with you when they are ready to preview.  You will have your own
gallery and be able to allow friends and family to help you decide which images are the favorites.  I have product samples and print textures
you can see at the studio, and frame samples to look at.  We can sit down and figure out the order together if you need some help
narrowing things down, or I can print proofs for you if you would like.  Many seniors get printed proofs as they narrow down the choices, and
then put the proofs in a book later or give those away to family and friends.  A big favorite is a bound memory book, which you will see
samples of at the session. 


I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!  Thanks for checking out the site!  Be sure to see the galleries by clicking the tab above!!

CLICK BELOW FOR ORDER FORMS:

                CLICK HERE FOR A: PRINTABLE ORDER FORM TO MAIL IN

                CLICK HERE FOR AN: ORDER FORM TO SAVE TO COMPUTER AND EMAIL BACK TO KAREN


If you are looking for a price list, please call or email and I'll send one out to you. 

How Do I Find Out More? 
Want to see some portrait samples?  Want to set up a session? 
Do you have questions?  Please contact Karen Solverson at 608-634-6263 or by email at norwegn@mwt.net. 
You can view samples online at http://valleyvisionsphotography.smugmug.com.