FAQ & Policies

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FAQ

How do I set an appointment?

The best way to set an appointment is to schedule through the consult calendar. This is where we discuss your project, determine timeline for planning, and can coordinate calendars one on one. If you have an expedited need for scheduling, feel free to call directly.

How far in advance do I need to schedule a session?

Please plan for 4-8 weeks, but if you have a need for a session sooner than that, we can chat directly to discuss availability.

What do I get with the purchase of a session?

While packages vary in inclusion, each session includes the following:
Pre-Shoot Consultation, Styling and Shoot Planning, One-Hour Session, Up to 45-50 Images In A Gallery To Make Selections From, Post-Shoot Purchasing Consultation *optional Photo Credit Towards Digital Images, Prints, Albums & Canvas Art Packages

Where can I find the session pricing?

All session pricing can be found within each session category page under our "packages" tab

What can I expect during my session?

The initial consultation before the portrait session is designed to ensure a smooth and successful start to our time together. On the day of your session, we'll meet up at the scheduled time and location, and quickly go over what you're hoping to get out of the experience, as well as any must-have shots you'd like us to capture.
Then, we'll head to a few carefully chosen spots that have the perfect lighting and scenery to make your photos look amazing! We'll play around with different poses and snap some candid shots along the way to create a fun, stress-free, and unforgettable experience.
Once we're done, we'll collect the remaining 50% balance owed, so we can start processing your images. Just a heads up that we won't start editing until the balance has been settled.

How many images do we get?

We're all about delivering the best possible results for you! That's why we carefully choose only the most exceptional photos to bring into post production and deliver as your final product. Don't worry if you don't see every single image or pose – we eliminate anything that doesn't quite hit the mark, like unflattering shots or blurry ones. We're all about true works of art here!
Depending on what type of session you had (they vary!), your gallery can yield between 55 - 85+ edited images. We believe that quality beats quantity every time. We'd much rather give you a gallery that blows you away with breathtaking, consistent images, rather than one that's full of mediocre shots that you won't be thrilled to display. Trust us, we're always striving to give you the best possible experience, and we can't wait to wow you with the results!

We only want a few images- Do you offer mini sessions?

e don't offer mini sessions – but don't worry, you'll have plenty of options to choose from with our full sessions.
Our sessions are designed to be totally relaxing, and we've found that some of the best photos come towards the end of the session when you're feeling super comfortable and at ease.
Now, we know you might be thinking, "I just want a few pictures – why do we need to take so many?" But trust us, it's all about giving you a wide variety of options to choose from. We want you to have a gallery full of images that you love looking through, and that you'll be thrilled to display in your home. So, we take a ton of shots in lots of different poses and candid moments, so that you can select the ones that really speak to you.

How long before we get to see our images?

We want to give you the very best possible experience, and that means taking the time to create truly stunning final products. That's why the post production process is such a crucial part of our work – in fact, it usually accounts for about 70-80% of the entire job!
Since we take so much care with our editing, it can take a bit of time – usually around 3-6 weeks, depending on the season. But trust us, it's worth the wait! We go through every detail to make sure that your images look absolutely perfect, and we never rush through the process. We're all about quality over quantity, and we want to give you the very best possible final product. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be amazed by the results!

Will I receive a sneak peek?

We know you're excited to see your images, and we're excited to share them with you! While we can't always guarantee sneak peeks, we promise that the final product will be well worth the wait. This includes single images for announcements, holidays, and more.
Before we even start the editing process, we need to take some time to prepare your images. This includes saving and labeling your RAW image files, uploading everything into our editing software, and going through every single image from your session to choose the very best ones for editing. This culling process alone can take up to 4 hours!
Because of this careful preparation, our estimated turnaround time for editing is usually 2-4 weeks. We know that special occasions like holidays, engagements, and announcements are important, so we recommend keeping this timeline in mind as you plan. Trust us, we're working hard to create the very best possible final product, and we can't wait to share it with you!

How do we see our Preview Gallery and what comes next?

We're so excited to share your gallery with you! Once it's ready, we'll send you a link to an online gallery with watermarked images. You'll have a few days to look them over and decide on your favorites.
While it's totally optional, we prefer to schedule a special Purchasing Session where we can review your images together – either in person at our studio, or over Zoom. This is a great chance to see your images again, and to discuss which ones you love the most. We'll be there to answer any questions you have and help you make your final selections.
Just a heads up – your watermarked gallery will expire after 10 days, so be sure to take a good look at your images and schedule your Purchasing Session before then. We can't wait to see which images you choose!

What should I expect during my Purchasing Session?

We can't wait for your Purchasing Appointment – it's such an exciting time! During this appointment, we'll go over all of the options available and help you decide on the best ways to display your photos in your home. It's always helpful to have a general idea of what you're looking for (like canvas prints or albums), and where you plan to display them in your home.
If you live out of state, no problem! We're happy to do your Purchasing Session over Zoom, FaceTime, or another video call service.
Just a few things to keep in mind for your appointment: all decision makers must be present in order to proceed, and the full balance of your order (including taxes) must be paid at the time of purchase in order for us to process your order and send it to the lab.
Any images that aren't ordered during your Purchasing Session will be archived right after your appointment. If you need more time to decide, we're happy to reinstate your gallery for an additional 10 days for a fee of $250. And if you require an additional Purchasing Session, there is a conference fee of $250.
We can't wait to help you select the perfect photos for your home!

I’ve placed my order, when will I get my heirloom products?

After you've placed your order, we'll get to work creating your beautiful products. Depending on what you've purchased, it may take 2-4 weeks for delivery. If you've purchased any digital files, we'll send those to you within 7 days in a new gallery, which will remain online for 30 days. And if you're local, we'll schedule a convenient pickup date so you can check out your products and sign off on them.
But our commitment to you doesn't stop there! We're not just about delivering exceptional images and heirloom products – we want to create an exceptional experience for you, too. Our goal is to give you memories that will last a lifetime, and to make the process of creating them an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. From our very first interactions to the moment you receive your final products, we're 100% dedicated to giving you a luxurious, high-quality experience that's worth every penny. So let's create something amazing together!

Additional Policies

If my product is defective, can I receive a replacement?

Certainly! We offer replacements for defective products within 48 hours of delivery. Simply submit a description of the issue along with a picture, and we'll take care of the rest by contacting the vendor on your behalf.

Is it possible to rush my job?

While we prefer not to rush jobs, we understand that it may be necessary in certain circumstances. Please note that there is a 30% rush fee for a 10-day rush and a 50% rush fee for a 5-day rush. Our vendors have their own guidelines for rushing orders, and we cannot modify their policies. However, we will provide you with their guidelines so you can make an informed decision.

Is it possible to reschedule my session?

Yes, you can reschedule your session as long as you notify us 72 hours prior to the scheduled session. However, if you reschedule more than twice, your retainer portion towards your final purchase will be forfeited to prevent excessive rescheduling. This policy also applies to your Post Purchasing Session.

What if I am not satisfied with my images and want a refund?

Once the portrait session is complete, the full session fee is non-refundable as it covers the time and skills invested up to that point. Please make sure that the style presented in our galleries is suitable for you before booking your session.

Can we obtain the RAW images?

We do not offer RAW images as part of our service. Our focus is on delivering a final product, and we shoot with that end goal in mind. RAW images require editing to produce a final product, and we do not allow any manipulation that is not done by us as it would not reflect our work.

I'm missing something from my order, can you help?

Absolutely! We'll do our best to ensure your order is complete. Occasionally, there may be a delay in delivery, but we'll work with you to track down any missing items. We'll even contact the vendor for you to make sure you receive everything in a timely manner.

What happens if we are late to our session, can we reschedule?

We recommend planning ahead for unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents or traffic delays, as our sessions are typically scheduled around sunset to maximize lighting. In the event that you are up to 10-15 minutes late for your session, we will proceed with the session but the time lost will not be made up. However, if you are more than 20 minutes late, it will be considered a no-show, and your retainer will be forfeited. While you may reschedule, a new 50% retainer will be required to secure your new session date.

I need to cancel my session, can I get a refund of my retainer?

We operate on a non-refundable 50% retainer system that covers our consultation, emails, phone calls, contract writing, planning, and administrative fees. Please ensure that you are certain about proceeding with the session before scheduling your appointment. If you cancel at least 72 hours before your scheduled session, you can transfer your retainer to someone else in the form of a gift certificate if you choose not to have your session.

Gift Certificates & Credit Policy:

Our Gift Certificates and Pre-Purchased Sessions are valid for redemption for up to one year after the purchase date. Any promotional gifts, bundled packages, prints, canvas, or products offered with these certificates will not be honored after one year. In such cases, we will provide a credit equivalent to the original purchase price to be applied towards our current session fees.

Furthermore, any credit or retainer from an approved rescheduled session will be valid for one year from the Original Session Date. After one year, the credit may still be applied towards our current session fees.

What if I forget to download or lose my digital files?

If you forget to download your digital files or lose them, we offer a replacement option for a fee of $100. This includes an additional 14-day online gallery access once we have archived your images. We highly recommend that you download your images as soon as possible and back them up on cloud storage or other means.

Rights, Usage, & Manipulation

Can we obtain the rights to the images?


For personal photography sessions such as weddings, fashion, boudoir, and family, you are paying for our creative time and a license for personal and print use. While we will provide a print release for the digital files you purchase, all rights to the images remain with the photographer. This industry standard is in place to prevent misuse and unauthorized manipulation of the images that would misrepresent our brand and compromise our reputation. Additionally, it protects the photographers from having the images printed commercially without photo credit or compensation for their work. Anything beyond personal use and reprinting will require our written permission or the purchase of a Commercial Image License.

For commercial photography sessions that use the images for profit through marketing of oneself or business commercially, a 5-year Commercial Image License will be provided for the purchased images for use in marketing, social media, and other similar materials. Such sessions require a strategy meeting and a formal contract, usually starting at $2200+. If you require an extended or endless Commercial Image License, it can be negotiated during our strategy meeting, and the terms of your license will be included in your contract.

If you had a personal photography session and want to use an image for commercial purposes, you must purchase a Commercial Image License. A 5-year Commercial Image License starts at $800 per image, and multiple images, extended, and endless Commercial Image Licensing can be negotiated.

Commercial Image Licensing is for marketing and promotion purposes, such as in magazines or billboards. Any and all resale of an image for profit is strictly prohibited unless there is a full purchase of copyrights from the Photographer, which would be negotiated with an attorney.

Do you use our images from our session on your website?


Yes, we do use images from our sessions to promote our company's body of work, and by working with us, you agree to allow us to use your images on our website, blog, and other marketing material, unless you request otherwise in writing.

Can we edit our own images?


We take pride in our images as works of art that represent our company's quality standards. Therefore, we prohibit any manipulation of our images that is not done by us, as it would not reflect our style or brand. We must maintain full control over the presentation of the images to protect our reputation and the quality of work we provide. Depending on which type of session you have purchased, you will be provided either a Print License or Commercial Image License, but we still retain the copyrights to all of our images.

Do I need to sign a model release form?


By working with us, you agree to allow us to use your images on our website, blog, and other marketing materials unless you request otherwise in writing. However, you may be requested to sign a model release if the photographer feels it is necessary or intends to use them commercially, either contracted by a company or for our own commercial use. We usually ask for permission before posting images on our website or social media platforms, which requires some form of written communication between the photographer and client, serving as written permission (text, email, letter, etc.). If the photographer will be using the images for any commercial client contracted by Jessica McKnight Photography, you will be required to sign a model release. This may or may not involve compensation to the model, but it will be discussed and agreed upon before the session. You may also be required to sign a written agreement/release to the company contracting the work, such as a magazine or marketing firm.