I hear a lot of people tell me about how and why they choose a particular photographer or a studio.

First off, let me be honest; I have used “other photography places”. I have; there, I said it. I’ve used the big Mall Store, not the one that starts with S, but the one that starts with J. I’ve used The Big W World. And a few others…

But you know, I learned from those other places what I wanted when it came to our (read: my) family pictures. Don’t worry, I now shoot our own family portraits. But when I used those other places, I learned that they didn’t come near to giving me what I wanted. What I needed. What I paid for.

I wanted a photographer, who would spend more than just a few minutes with my family. I wanted a photographer that I could get personal with…

… that I could tell them what I wanted or liked…

… and that they did their best to carry it out.

Just the other day I had a mom tell me, “I want my pictures straight. Not those crooked ones.” ~ Referring to my more contemporary style, she wanted straight up landscape and portrait shots. And you know what, that’s exactly what I gave her.

I am more than just your entry level cookie cutter chain experience. A custom photography setting truly is not that simple. It not only requires a level of commitment, investment in time and money, forethought and planning on the part of the subject/client. It requires an investment in money, forethought, and planning, and an even larger time commitment from the photographer as well.

I know some of those places don’t edit your images at all. So if you take your kids in with a moment-too-soon scratch on their nose or bruised cheek. Will your cookie cutter chain photographer remove it? If so, will they charge you?

A custom photographer’s setting fee, isn’t just the time we spend driving and shooting, it’s our maintenance as well so that we can keep shooting and making happy customers. Here is how most of my clients time line works out:

-Driving time
-1-3 hours shooting time
-Equipment expense
-Website maintenance and expense (provides you with unlimited proofing time in the comfort of your own home)
-1-3 hours proofing time (depends on how much editing is required, and color-conversions)
-1/2 to 1 hour uploading to their password protected gallery
-half an hour or more for phone calls and ordering questions

This is also where I would like to mention that I am a one person team. I don’t have a staff. I personally take care of each client from start to finish while being a stay-at-home mom.

So here are a few of my procedures and policies. Basically what you can expect from me:

-Payment for your photography session is expected when the session has ended.
-I ask that you please allow 7-14 days for online galleries to be uploaded. (generally sooner, but that’s the window)
-Payment for print orders are expected upfront.
-Please allow about 5 business days for your prints to come in from the day you are paid in full.
-Please feel free to contact me at any reasonable time with questions or concerns.
-Due to the nature of my work, refunds nor returns are accepted.
-However, please note that if your session is unacceptable or ruined, a more than comparable offer to re-shoot the session will be made.

I am excited to have started down this path in my life. I truly love what I do, and get to do what I love. I find portrait photography to be a challenge and constantly changes the way I think and see things. I love God and my family. I’m not perfect (my husband might agree to this), but I am loved. I hope you enjoy your experience with Shannon Fry Designs.

Have a blessed day!

Shannon Fry Designs is an L.L.C. (Limited Liability Company)
Shannon Fry Designs is soon-to-be member of the PPA