Jessica Marie Photography

I'm decided to do a little Q & A this morning, to answer some frequently asked questions and to give you a glimpse into the world of custom photography.

Q: Why don't I get to see ALL images taken at the shoot?
A: The beginning of the process is narrowing it down to the best of the best. Blinks, Blur, Glare, and Exposures are all factors in my selection of which raw images to start with. The better the picture I start with, the better the final product. You wouldn't put the blinks and blur up on your wall, so I don't show you something you wouldn't want to print.

Q: If an image is shown in black and white, can I have it in color instead?
A: This is a case by case scenario. Typically, once an image is in black and white, I prefer not to convert it back to color. Black and White is a classic style that works well anywhere and all the time. Usually, if I have 3 pictures of the same pose, with just slight differences, I will do one in color, one in black and white and one a little different altogether. It gives you some variety, so you aren't looking at just little differences in the same picture, but at a different style as a whole. I DO, however, sometimes do one picture in color and then add a black and white copy for comparison, but this is not a hard and fast rule.

Q:Why does the editing process take so long? Can't you just pull them off the card and be good to go?
A: I absolutely could do that, but they won't be as exciting. I know personally speaking, I want pictures that stand out. A picture that I can look at 10yrs from now and know that I got every penny worth in that print. I want my clients to have that. I want you to look at your image and think "wow, that is an amazing picture". I want to give you a custom picture, not just one that I took and burned. One that is tailor made just for you. And custom work, takes time. I am an impatient person, so I understand that the excitement gets carried away and you want them now now now! I feel the same way. It's exciting! But, I take the time to make sure that each image is a quality that I would want in a picture of my own, so the turn around sometimes takes a little time. I, personally, try to have no longer than 3wks turn around. It does vary largely based on the amount of images too. Sometimes it may take a week, sometimes 2 or 4. Due to the custom nature of the photographs, it is not a 1 day venture, even if I wish I could do it that way!

Here's a quick example of a before and after. This is what custom photography looks like. This is what you are investing in your pictures, and what I invest my time in to create. It's very worth it.


Straight out of the Camera:
Fully enhanced, custom photograph, final product: