The Process and collections

joy ahead of youyou have so much
Booking your session1Step

Once you are ready to book I'll send over a quote, contract, and invoice. You'll be able to pay the $250 session retainer fee* online and that will secure your spot on my calendar.

 

If you are booking both a maternity and a newborn session together, this also automatically enrolls you into the Collective Membership which gives you two additional complimentary sessions (4 sessions total) over the course of 18 months. You can see more about the membership perks HERE. You don't have to have a baby to join the collective. If you know you'll want more than 2 sessions from me in a 18 month span (think annual holiday photos) this is a great option that includes many additional perks. Click HERE to learn more.

 

(You will then pick a collection for each session after you see your photos in Step 4.)

 

There are two ways to book your session, 1) If we've already spoken my phone, then we may have discussed a few dates that work for your family, (or if you're expecting a newborn we will have penciled in your estimated due date on my calendar) or 2) through my availability calendar online which has all my available times listed for booking. Once we have a date, booking is 100% online and takes just a few minutes. As you look at your calendar, here are a few things to consider:

  • Weekend dates are limited and popular. Many clients who work regular business hours find that by scheduling early in the morning or late in the afternoon, they're able to work a weekday session in with almost no time lost at the office.
  • Given the beautiful colors and temperate weather, spring and fall are the busiest times of year for outdoor family photos. If you'd like a session during one of those times (ESPECIALLY if you want a weekend spot), please get in touch as soon as possible!
  • If you have a particular date or holiday by which you need prints or gifts (Mother's Day, Father's Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, etc.), be sure to book a date at least one month in advance of that date to ensure sufficient processing and printing time.
  • Babies and young children are almost universally at their very best first thing in the morning, which just happens to also be a great time of day for beautiful light. If you have children under five years old, I encourage you to consider a session at or as close to sunrise as you can reasonably be ready.
  • If you have older children or have one of those rare babies that doesn't do mornings, the other time of day that gives us great light is late afternoon/early evening... usually around 1.5 hours before sunset.
  • Beautiful photographs can be made in any kind of weather, but I understand that there are some downsides to being photographed in the pouring rain or the freezing cold. I can and do reschedule sessions for inclement weather, but am also happy to use your home or one of my indoor or semi-indoor locations if sticking to the schedule is a priority.

* Session retainer fee covers photographer's time and talent and the creation of your photos. does not include any digital files or products as those are purchased seperately after you've seen all your images.

Planning your session2Step

Once we've decided on a time and date and officially put your session on the calendar, I'll send you a getting ready guide that will walk you through everything from choosing outfits to strategies for getting kids to cooperate. That guide has been created and refined over years of experience, so it typically answers 90% of the questions that come up, but I'm always happy to set up a time to chat if you want additional help.


A few days before our session is scheduled, I'll reach out to confirm our time and location... at that point, if the forecast is questionable or someone seems to be coming down with any illness, we can talk about our rescheduling options. Otherwise, that's the perfect time to ask any last-minute questions or let me know if you've thought of something for your session that we haven't discussed.

  • Newborn sessions take place in your home within 7-14 days after birth. These are scheduled for mornings typically around 10 am. I have photographed newborn style sessions up to 6 weeks of age and most babies do just fine for newborn snuggly photos, although they usually spend more time awake.
  • Maternity and family sessions take place in the morning, or early evenings 1-2 hours before sunset.
During your session3Step

The day of the session, please block off 2-2.5 hours. Typically we're finished within 60-90 minutes, but I don't charge by the hour, so if there's a wardrobe malfunction or child meltdown, we have flexibility. If a parent has to leave for an important business meeting but the rest of the family is still available, just let me know ahead of time so I can focus on getting that parent in the frame more while they're still available.

 

Most clients tell me that their session was fun! I'm going to help you with posing and getting your little ones to smile. Your job is to relax and go with the flow! My sessions are about capturing your family interacting with each other naturally with my gentle coaching on setting the scene to make great images. All you have to do is follow my instruction, play with your baby or kids and spouse, focus on them so I can focus on you!

  • i schedule up to 90 min for a newborn session. this gives us plenty of time for feeding and soothing if baby is fussy. i love it when the baby is awake for part of our session so no worries about baby sleeping the whole time.
  • Maternity and family sessions are usually around 45-60 min long. I find this is long enough to get plenty of images but not too long where your spouse and the kids aren't having fun anymore.
Choosing a collection4Step

Two to three weeks after your session, you'll receive an email from me letting you know that your photos are ready. You'll see a slideshow of your beautiful images set to music. That slideshow is available for 24 hours for you to watch as much as you'd like and to select which collection you'd like to purchase.

 

Each collection comes with digital files and a print credit. This print credit is like a gift card that you can then use to purchase any print products in your gallery store. You'll have a full month (30 days) to select the specific digital files and print items you want to use to fill that collection.

$700your choice of 10 high-resolution digital files with print release

$100 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.
collection A03.
$850your choice of 20 high-resolution digital files with print release

$300 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.
collection B03.
$1000the complete set of all high-resolution digital files with print release

$600 print credit
toward your choice of anything in the store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.
collection C03.

Products

After you've seen your photos and purchased a collection, you may use the collection's included print credit toward any of the products here. The products in the store have been carefully selected. All are archival printed on Fuji or Hahnemühle professional stock papers, made to withstand ultraviolet light and aging for up to 100 years. Below are some of our favorites.

Professional Lab Prints

Your favorite images are professionally printed on archival quality photo paper with your choice of a fine art or deep matte finish. These full bleed prints (no white border) are available in a variety of sizes, and are perfect for framing and hanging on the wall or giving as a special gift.

 

size / matte or semi-gloss / fine art

4x6 / $60 / $70
5x7 / $60 / $70
8x10 / $60 / $130
11x14 / $90 / $180

Deckeled Edge Prints

Hand-torn prints that are truly unique with a rich and textured finish. Each print is carefully torn to reveal a soft feathered edge that adds a beautiful softness to each image. These archival prints are 100% cotton and acid-free. Perfect for mounting in a matted frame.

 

5x7 / $80
8x10 / $140
11x14 / $240

Layflat photo album

Lay Flat Albums

These premium albums are printed on high-end matte photo paper with thick, lay flat pages. Layout and design options are limited only by your imagination, and can be further customized with your choice of linen or leather covers and custom foiled letters. 10 spreads (20 pages) are included in the price below. Additional spreads (1 spread = 2 pages) can be added for $30 each.

8x8" / $600
10x10" / $800

Bundle of one main 12x12" & two duplicate 10x10" / $2000 (a great gift for grandparents. holiday gifts... done.)

Framed Prints

Made for living room and nursery walls. These frames are stunning and a simple, elegant way to display your beautiful images to enjoy for a lifetime. Custom made frames and 8-ply archival matte carefully hold your photos printed on fine art Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper. Finished with paper backing, sawtooth hangers, and felt bumpers. Ready to install from the moment you receive it.

 

8x10” (external measurement) / $285
11x14" (external measurement) / $370
16x20" (external measurement) / $450
20x24" (external measurement) / $600

Tallahassee Photographer - Sarah Gray Photography Glass box of photo prints
Glass box of photos 3

Boxed collection of prints

 

A beautiful way to display your favorite photos from your session. Frame a few, gift a few, add more over time. This is a beautiful keepsake box to safely store your most treasured photos.

 

set of 24 matte finish, 4x6" prints in a brass and glass photo box / $300

 

Ready to move forward?5Step
Brock and Emily maternity session in Southwood, Sarah Gray Photography Tallahassee, Florida family, newborn, maternity photographerThe Collective Membership01.

Great! Please choose your next step:

1. If we already penciled in a date and you have a quote from me in the email where you also received this prep-guide, then simply "accept" that quote and move forward through those steps to finalize your booking.

 

2. Have a few more questions or want to join the Collective Membership? Email me. I'm happy to help.