Question 1

How much is a shoot and how many images will I get?

Accepted Answer

My normal rate for a family shoot is 2500 dhs with 10% off for weekday shoots.

That is for the shoot and an unlimited number of images; basically meaning I don't have an upper 'limit' on the images I edit and send afterwards. I truly believe that I am there to capture all of the moments that happen during the session, not just a 'top 20' or 'top 25'.   After our shoot I send you a gallery of unedited images, and you choose the ones you love for editing, as many as you love :-)

My fee includes a phone / what's app chat ahead of our shoot so we are all on the same page with everything, includes my time shooting with you (around an hour, sometimes a little more).  After our shoot I will curate a lightly edited gallery for you to select your final images from.  
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​Once you've received your gallery, you can choose as many images as you love!  You then have creative control and can select as many as you want.
 
If you would like to work with me for more than one shoot, I offer packages for pregnancy, Fresh 48 and home newborn sessions - please get in touch with me for more details if you're interested in multiple shoots.

Question 2

What happens before, at and after a shoot?

Accepted Answer

Around 2 weeks before our shoot, I will send you my pre-shoot questionnaire via email. I’m starting to get you in the mood for your shoot and will ask questions like what we are ‘celebrating’ (life, babies, your family, something specific!), and what moments you would love to capture.
 
I would also like you to start thinking about what you want to hold in your hands after the shoot – prints, a photobook, framed images, canvases - for you, your children and your extended family. Its important that you start thinking about this ahead of time, so I can help shape your ideas and bring them to life on your walls and in your hands.
 
I then follow that up with a call to chat to you; so that we are on the same page with everything and aren’t such ‘strangers’ when we meet. It's important that we start building a relationship together from the start.
 
I hope I have answered your questions about what happens at a shoot in the 'My Style' page. If not - feel free to drop me a line!
 
After our shoot, I will send you a link to my Client Gallery page within seven working days. This will be a selection of lightly edited images for you to view and make your selections from!

Once you have selected your favourite images, I'll start editing and will have the finished images back to you within another 7 working days.

Question 3

Where and when do you do your shoots?

Accepted Answer

For home newborn sessions, I can make any time of the day work but my preference is a weekday morning. I’m free for mid-week shoots every morning from 8.30am (apart from days when I am teaching for The Photo Club)(http://www.thephotoclub.me) 
 
For family shoots on ‘location’; I would discuss this with you in advance so that we can plan the best location and time to suit you. I realise that you and your partner may both be working; so I do shoot on Friday and Saturdays. But just to warn you, these get booked up very quickly!
 
The beach, the desert, a park, Souk Al Bahar, Souk Al Manzil (for Burj Khalifa views), the Bastakiya and Al Seef are some of my popular locations. Or your home and garden of course!
 
As for timing, for a beach or desert shoot the best time is around sunrise (anywhere from 5.30am depending on the time of the year). The desert is also beautiful at sunset (from 4.30pm depending on the time of the year). The beach is tricky at sunset because of the number of people in the background, especially at weekends; so if you are keen on a beach shoot then my preference is to meet at sunrise.
 
For a park, the Bastakiya, Al Seef or Old Dubai, I would recommend an 8-8.30am start as its more shaded. Exact timings really depend on what would work best for your family; and the location.

Question 4

I'm pregnant and I have no idea when is the best time to schedule in a shoot.

Accepted Answer

Ok; so in my opinion the ultimate time for a pregnancy shoot is around 34-35 weeks. That’s the time when your bump is lovely and round; yet you still have a good amount of energy and feel comfortable.
 
And for a newborn shoot. Being a ‘lifestyle’ photographer means that the exact age of your babe is less important than if you were having a ‘posed’ baby shoot. I’ve done newborn shoots for babies 4 days old; to six weeks old; and still considered them ‘newborn’.
 
My preference is to have an awake and alert babe, rather than a sleepy one…we can get a lot more interaction, facial expressions, cooing and ‘ah’ moments with an awake baby than a sleeping one.

Question 5

What shall I wear?

Accepted Answer

Well, this is entirely up to you and it’s hard for me to advise without knowing what style and colours suit you best. However I do have a few thoughts;
 
- ‘all white’ or ‘all black’ can really wash you out on camera, depending on your skin tones - and black picks up every fleck of dust or sand.
- If you’re a jeans gal, stick to jeans. If you love floaty beach dresses, stick to a floaty beach dress.
- If you don’t feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, that will show through on camera, so choose something that you feel good in.
- I always advise my female clients to dress themselves first – then coordinate husband and children around you!
- Dress for the location…beach and desert are generally a more relaxed vibe than home; Bastakiya, Souk Al Bahar, the Madinat etc.
- Blues, greens and turquoises always work beautifully on the beach. Then again, so does a bright flash of red!  You will see a lot of families in my images wearing different shades of blue...I didn't tell them to wear blue!  For me, the brighter and more varied, the better!
- There is LOTS of outfit inspiration on Pinterest if you’re still struggling. Head to my Pinterest board (https://www.pinterest.com/natalierobinsonphotographer/)as a starting point.

Question 6

What are your payment terms?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to book a shoot, then I ask for a deposit of 850 dhs to be paid in advance. This 850 dhs secures your spot and the date in my diary.

If we needed to shift the date of the shoot for any reason, then that 850 dhs deposit still stands and we can reschedule based on my availability (i.e. you won't lose any money - with 3 kids of my own I'm realistic about last minute illnesses etc cropping up unexpectedly!).

Question 7

Do you offer prints and / or photobooks?

Accepted Answer

I currently don't offer this service but would be happy to recommend some printers and book creators to you!

Question 8

I would love to gift a photoshoot to a friend.  Do you do vouchers?

Accepted Answer

A photo session…the best kind of gift! You’re my kind of person. I have voucher cards available for you to send to your friend.
 
Once you have gifted your voucher, its best if I start the line of communication with the receiver directly, so that we can both be on the same page.
 
For any additional questions and to book a session with me, please get in touch via my contact (javascript:void(0))page.