BOOKING & PLANNING

  • Start by filling out our contact form and telling us a little about what you’re looking for. We’ll reach out to discuss availability, session details, and next steps. Your session is officially reserved once your contract is signed and retainer is received.

  • We specialize in families, couples, individual portraits, seniors and graduates, maternity, lifestyle sessions, milestones, parties, and seasonal mini sessions. Have something different in mind? Reach out—we’re always happy to hear your ideas!

  • We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for weekends, spring and fall sessions, graduation season, and holidays. If you have a specific date in mind, the sooner you reach out, the better!

  • The retainer varies on the size of your package. Your booking is considered official once your retainer has been received and your photography agreement has been signed.

  • Absolutely! Whether you’re dreaming of the beach, marsh, historic Savannah, oak trees, or somewhere meaningful to your family, we can help you find a location that fits the look and feeling you want.

GETTING READY

  • Choose outfits that coordinate rather than perfectly match. Neutrals, earthy tones, soft colors, subtle patterns, and natural textures photograph beautifully. Most importantly, choose something comfortable that feels like you.

  • Yes! Outfit planning can be one of the hardest parts, so we’re happy to help. Send us photos of what you’re considering and we can help you choose pieces and colors that work well together and complement your session location.

  • Of course! Pets are family too. Just let us know ahead of time so we can make sure your location is pet-friendly. We recommend bringing a leash, treats, water, and anything else that helps keep your furry family member happy.

  • You usually don’t need much! We recommend water, comfortable shoes for walking between locations, touch-up essentials, and anything your little ones or pets may need. You’re also welcome to bring meaningful items or props—just let us know what you have in mind.

  • You’re definitely not alone! Most of our clients aren’t professional models, and we don’t expect you to know what to do. We’ll guide you throughout your session with simple poses, movement, and prompts so everything feels comfortable and natural.

YOUR SESSION

  • Session length depends on the type of session and package you choose. Most sessions are designed to give us plenty of time to get comfortable, explore the location, and capture a variety of images without feeling rushed. Your exact session length will be provided when booking.

  • It depends on the session type. Standard family sessions are designed for immediate families, while larger or extended families may require an extended-family session. Let us know your group size when you inquire and we’ll help you choose the best option.

  • That’s completely okay—kids are allowed to be kids! They can run, laugh, explore, take breaks, and be silly. We’ll work with their personalities instead of expecting perfection. Sometimes the wonderfully chaotic moments end up being the photographs families love most.

  • Not at all! We promise you’re not the first person to bring someone who would rather be doing almost anything else. We keep sessions relaxed, give plenty of direction, and avoid making things feel overly posed. Our goal is for everyone to forget about the camera and actually enjoy themselves.

  • Yes, but nothing overly stiff or forced. We’ll guide you when needed while also encouraging movement, laughter, cuddles, and natural interaction. The result is a mix of beautiful traditional portraits and genuine candid moments.

  • Absolutely. If there are certain groupings, poses, or meaningful photographs you really want, tell us! Inspiration photos are welcome too. We’ll use them as inspiration while still creating images that reflect your family and our photography style.

  • Yes! Props are welcome when they add meaning or personality to your session. We recommend keeping them intentional rather than bringing too many. Tell us what you’re thinking and we can help incorporate them naturally.

  • Please do! Heirlooms, blankets, jewelry, military items, childhood toys, photographs, or anything meaningful to your family can make your session even more personal. Let us know beforehand so we can plan creative ways to include it.

  • Yes! Our goal is to give you a mixture of both. We’ll capture the classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera photographs while also creating opportunities for laughter, movement, cuddles, and genuine interactions.

  • We would love to! Whether it’s a childhood photograph, an old picture of your parents, or a family tradition recreated years later, send it to us beforehand and we’ll help bring the idea to life.

  • Absolutely! Time permitting, we can capture individual portraits along with different combinations such as parents together, siblings, each parent with the children, and other meaningful groupings.

  • It varies by location. Some locations require very little walking while others involve exploring several areas. If you’d prefer minimal walking, just tell us—we can recommend beautiful locations that are easier to access.

  • Absolutely. Please let us know about any accessibility or mobility needs before your session. We’ll work with you to choose an accessible location and plan the session so everyone can participate comfortably.

WEATHER & RESCHEDULING

  • Coastal Georgia weather can be unpredictable, so we’ll keep an eye on the forecast leading up to your session. A few clouds or a small chance of rain doesn’t necessarily mean we need to reschedule. If the weather truly won’t cooperate, we’ll work with you to find another date.

  • Safety always comes first. Sessions may be postponed for severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, dangerous winds, or other unsafe conditions. We’ll communicate with you and determine the best plan based on the forecast and conditions at your location.

  • We understand that life happens! Contact us as soon as possible if something comes up. Rescheduling and cancellations are handled according to the terms of your photography agreement, and we’ll do our best to make the process as easy as possible.

  • If you need to cancel your session, please let us know as soon as possible. We understand that life happens and plans can change! Your session retainer is non-refundable because it reserves your date and time on our calendar. If you need to reschedule rather than cancel, we’ll do our best to move your session to another available date when proper notice is provided.

    Cancellations or rescheduling requests made within 48 hours of your session may require a new retainer to book another date. Exceptions may be made for emergencies or other circumstances at our discretion.

    If Salt Marsh Photography needs to cancel and we’re unable to provide a suitable rescheduled date, any payments made will be refunded.

    Weather-related rescheduling is handled separately and does not count as a client cancellation when we determine conditions are unsuitable or unsafe.

  • Please contact us as soon as you know you’re running behind. Because our sessions are planned around lighting and other bookings, arriving late may reduce your photography time. This is especially important for sunset sessions—we unfortunately haven’t figured out how to convince the sun to stay up longer!

YOUR PHOTOS

  • Your photographs will be carefully selected and professionally edited before delivery. Your expected turnaround time will be provided with your session information and outlined in your photography agreement.

  • Your finished photographs will be delivered through a private online gallery where you can easily view, download, save, and share your images with family and friends.

  • We do not provide RAW or unedited files. Editing is an important part of the Salt Marsh Photography experience and our artistic style. Your final gallery will include carefully selected, professionally edited images that represent our finished work.

  • Absolutely! Your personal-use printing rights will be outlined in your photography agreement. We recommend using a professional-quality printing service so your photographs look just as beautiful in print as they do in your gallery.

  • Please do—we love seeing our photographs shared! We simply ask that you avoid adding filters or significantly altering the finished images, since editing is part of our artistic work. And tagging Salt Marsh Photography is always appreciated!

  • We love sharing our work, but we also respect our clients’ privacy. Permission regarding the use of your photographs on our website, portfolio, social media, or marketing materials will be addressed through your photography agreement and model release.

BABIES, KIDS & FAMILIES

  • Golden hour creates beautiful light, but your child’s happiness matters more than perfect lighting. If sunset falls right during bedtime, let us know! We can help choose a time that balances beautiful light with your child’s normal routine.

  • We recommend water, wipes, a favorite toy or comfort item, and anything else your child may need. For younger children, bringing a backup outfit is never a bad idea!

  • Then we take a break! Little ones aren’t expected to perform for the camera nonstop. Giving them a few minutes to reset often leads to much happier, more natural photographs afterward.

  • Feed that baby! We’re happy to pause for feeding, changing, cuddling, or anything else your little one needs. Babies run the schedule—we’ve accepted it.

  • That’s completely okay. We won’t expect them to immediately smile for a stranger with a camera. We’ll give them time to warm up, interact naturally with your family, and become comfortable with us.

  • Please tell us! We want your session to be comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. We’re happy to adjust our approach, allow extra breaks, avoid certain prompts or environments, and help choose a location that better fits your child’s needs.

  • Definitely. Small, mess-free snacks and favorite toys can be lifesavers. We recommend avoiding anything that could stain faces, hands, or clothing right before photos.

  • Please contact us as soon as possible. We’d much rather have everyone feeling their best than force a session with a sick little one. Rescheduling will be handled according to our rescheduling policy.

SENIORS & GRADUATES

  • Yes! Multiple outfits are a great way to show different sides of your personality. The number of outfit changes will depend on your package and session length, and we can help you plan looks that give your gallery plenty of variety.

  • Please do! Jerseys, uniforms, sports equipment, instruments, books, artwork, cars, or anything connected to your interests can make your senior photos feel much more personal.

  • Of course! You can incorporate your cap, gown, stole, cords, medals, honors, or other graduation items into your session.

  • Absolutely. While the senior will remain the focus of the session, we’re happy to capture a few photographs with parents, siblings, or other important people when time allows.

  • We recommend reaching out several months in advance, particularly during busy spring and fall seasons. If you need your photographs for graduation announcements, invitations, or yearbook deadlines, be sure to tell us so we can plan accordingly.

MATERNITY & MILESTONES

  • Maternity sessions are often photographed around 28–34 weeks, when your bump is beautifully visible but you may still feel comfortable moving around. Every pregnancy is different, though, so we’re happy to adjust based on what works best for you.

  • Absolutely! Your partner, children, and even family pets can be included. We’ll capture photographs of everyone together along with special combinations and individual maternity portraits.

  • Yes! If your session allows enough time, an outfit change can give you more variety. We can also help you choose outfits that complement your location and the overall look you want.

  • At this time, we ask clients to provide their own maternity outfits. We’re happy to help with styling recommendations, colors, dress ideas, and choosing pieces that will photograph beautifully.

  • Milestones are completely personal! Popular times include newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, first birthdays, and yearly birthdays—but there are no rules. First steps, lost teeth, preschool, new siblings, and other special seasons deserve to be remembered too.

  • Yes! If you’d like to document your baby or family throughout the year, ask us about planning multiple milestone sessions. Booking ahead can help create a consistent collection of photographs as your little one grows.