As you look around the internet, trying to find a Charleston portrait photographer that seems right for you, you will also probably find yourself wondering a few things: "How do people prepare for a photo shoot? How much does it cost? Oh, they can just 'photoshop it'...can't they? What if I just want digitals?" And I'm sure there is so much more.

Listed below you will find the questions that most, if not all of my clients ask at one point or another. Let's go ahead and try to take care of those questions right now. It is my job to inform you and guide you to being at ease so that all you have to concern yourself with at your makeover and photoshoot is YOU.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS

1. What do I wear for my photoshoot?

With Tanya Boggs Photography we will photograph you in 5 different outfits. Each of our sessions and posing maps are tailored to each of our photography clients here in Charleston so we recommend that you bring any and everything that you feel beautiful in. Let's run the gamut with your wardrobe choices! Some key things to keep in mind:

• Wear a button-down, a robe, or a top with a wide neckline to the studio on the day of your session. This will make the transition from the hair and makeup chair to your first wardrobe choice much easier and avoid having to smudge your makeup or ruin your hair.
• Bring more options than you think you “need” and you can bring a range of options. And we love Textures, think cable knit, denim, lace chiffon, and velvet. Textures photograph well. And while we only photograph you in 5 outfits, bring 20. We'll put things together at your arrival and who knows? Maybe I'll even put together options you haven't thought to wear yet!

2. How do I prepare for my photoshoot? What do I need to do?

Look, each of us has our own routine but when you're preparing for any kind of photo shoot you really do need to consider the details. Hair, nails, waxing, skin, to tan or not to tan, etc. These are our recommendations:

• Hair cut/color: this should be scheduled 10-14 days prior to your photo shoot. This gives your hair the time it needs to settle into the new style and texture.
• Nails: Take advantage of the purpose of having your shoot ladies. Go hit up the salon for a mani-pedi. Your hands and nails will be in the pictures and you want them to be polished and looking gorgeous. We do recommend staying away from heavier tones in photographs but, you know what works best for you. Can't decide? Go with a clean polish. The buffing and shaping alone will help immensely.
• Waxing: 3-5 days prior to your shoot. Skin can be very disagreeable when it comes to waxing. No one wants giant red welts in their pictures. No one.
• To tan or not to tan. Tanning bed or spray? This answer is not going to be popular with many but we do not endorse tanning prior to a photo shoot (Yup, I said it!). I know many of you are looking for that sun-kissed glow but with so many of the results, we find that fake or real, tanning does nothing but age you. And fake tans, girl, no one and I mean NO ONE wants that weird candy orange glow in their pictures. 

3. How much do you alter the pictures? 

Ah... retouching. This seems to be such a hot topic these days. My job as a photographer and artist is to not only take beautiful images of you but to create artful images of fabulous you! Another part of my job is to ensure that you feel absolutely stunning in your images. When it comes to retouching, what I will not do is make you look like someone else other than yourself! Our posing methods take care to emphasize only the parts about you that you love the most and this posing also helps to minimize what you may not love quite so much. Our post-processing process is to help create the images from the vision that we have going into your session. Will I "retouch" you down 20 pounds? No. Will I smooth your skin and remove shadows and blemishes, etc? Yes. My general rule of thumb is that you don't take away the lines (we've earned them after all) but we take away the shadows the lines create and make sure you look like your best-rested gorgeous self!

4. What if I just want digital copies? 

Digital copies of any product purchased are included at high printable and web resolution. For example, say you purchase a collection of 5 images at 5x7 and a gallery-wrapped canvas at 16x24. You will receive digital files of the 5 images sized to 5x7 and the file for your canvas at 16x24.

5. What is an image selection appointment?

We do not offer online galleries for our photography clients. We will sit down together directly after your session. At the image selection is when you decide on the images that fit your needs and any artwork you might want. These sessions also give me an opportunity to provide you with my high standard of service and expertise to help guide you to the best product for your needs and to create impactful images for wall art if it fits your needs. Our goal is for you to only purchase imagery you LOVE. Nothing more, nothing less.

6. Do you photograph High School Seniors?

Our specialization is in photographing women and the people they love. 

• Senior Photography: YOU BETCHA! We love, love, LOVE shooting senior sessions! We can shoot on location, in the studio, or both! We'll highlight their loves and dreams and have a ball! This is a great opportunity to showcase their love of sports, dance, theatre, reading, chess you name it!

7. What is your cancellation policy?

Once your photo shoot has been scheduled on our calendar, cancellations are accepted up to 7 days prior to your appointment. Cancellations made within the 7-day window do require a $250 rescheduling fee. "Why?" you might ask. Because once your appointment is confirmed with our calendar, we do not accept any other business during that time frame and are required to pay our stylists for the time they block off as well. Of course, we understand that emergencies do come up, and in some instances, we may choose to waive that fee however we find that having this policy in place detracts from last-minute cancellations.

8. Do you keep the digital files? What if we cannot purchase at our ordering session?

I love my work. And, I would love to say that I keep every last file, from every last client but, we simply can not keep everyone’s image long term. One month following your reveal and ordering session, unpurchased images are deleted from our archives. 

9. How much is it to be photographed?

Investment really depends on the kind of artwork you want to create. My retainer fee starts at $700 with $500 of that fee applied to any purchase you make. My fee structure can change depending on the type of session and imagery that suits your needs. Some clients want several business portraits and imagery for branding and marketing, some want to create art for their walls, and some want a full-day session for capturing business portraits for their team and may want digital options only for their website or personal branding. 

At your image selection appointment, you choose your favorite(s) and the medium in which you want them delivered and purchase them at that time. Some clients spend $1500 and some spend $10,000. Your balance is only based on the imagery you love and what we create together. 

Tanya Boggs, Principal Photographer

***I am CURRENTLY ON A WAITING LIST

Standard Portrait Session Retainer is $700 and includes: personal Design Consultation, session style, and prep guide, professional hair and makeup for one person, portrait session in the studio or on location with 5 looks, in-person image selection appointment, and $500 of the retainer is applied toward your purchase of digital files and/or artwork.

Individual artwork begins at $750 for a 5x7 printed, matted to 8x10, and mounted ready for framing and goes up from there based on medium, size, and artwork.

Imagery collections start at 8 images for $2500 and go up from there based on quantity.

10. Do you photograph men?

Absolutely. Whether men come to my studio with their significant other, or on their own they are always welcome.

I love photographing men's portraiture. It's powerful. It allows them to honor themselves and the legacies they bring to the world.

11. What is your turnaround time for my imagery?

Once your imagery has been selected and paid for in full, digital imagery will be delivered within two weeks. Artwork is typically within 3-4 weeks from completion of edits and digital delivery.

12. Where are you located?

Our primary studio is located in Charleston, South Carolina. While the majority of our clients are served in Charleston, I am available for travel in the Southeast and travel worldwide and regularly serve clients in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA, and surrounding areas. 

13. What kinds of physical artwork do you offer?

Our studio offers a myriad of artwork options that are tailored to the client and their desires. We offer archival-mounted prints, heirloom canvases, modern acrylics, vivid metal, handmade folio boxes for individual print collections, and handmade albums.

14. Can I bring props?

Props really depend on what we discover together on the consultation call. If props are something you’re considering, we can discuss that in more detail during the Design Consult to determine if what you have in mind will work well for your session.

15. Can I print my photos myself?

Any imagery purchased from your session includes the corresponding digital file with a complete retouch, and sized to the size purchased. If you would like to print additional copies of your images you are absolutely welcome to print that imagery with your printer of choice up to the size that was contracted with us. Larger prints than initially purchased must be purchased with our studio. We also offer duplicate prints for clients ordering multiple images as gifts. This service allows you to be assured of the longevity and quality of the medium being printed.

16. Will you publish my photos on your website or in your marketing?

We do require all clients to sign a portrait studio agreement for their session which outlines certain boundaries and expectations however, many of our clients prefer to not have their imagery shared publicly. I will determine with you at your image selection appointment which imagery, if any, you are comfortable having shared in our marketing efforts.