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Photographer ~ Artist ~ Oceanographer

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    • Home
    • About
    • Photography Portfolio 
      • Portraits
      • Nature
      • Wildlife
      • Cities
    • Art Portfolio 
      • The Song Series
      • Custom Lighters
      • Paintings
    • Science is Art
    • Contact
    • Book A Session
    • FAQ

Photographer ~ Artist ~ Oceanographer

  • Home
  • About
  • Photography Portfolio 
    • Portraits
    • Nature
    • Wildlife
    • Cities
  • Art Portfolio 
    • The Song Series
    • Custom Lighters
    • Paintings
  • Science is Art
  • Contact
  • Book A Session
  • FAQ
  • …  
    • Home
    • About
    • Photography Portfolio 
      • Portraits
      • Nature
      • Wildlife
      • Cities
    • Art Portfolio 
      • The Song Series
      • Custom Lighters
      • Paintings
    • Science is Art
    • Contact
    • Book A Session
    • FAQ
  • Photography Session FAQs

    Before booking a session, please read through all FAQs regarding photography sessions.

    Who can book portrait sessions?

    I am currently only accepting clients who are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Eastern New York State, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Portrait Sessions will be held at public and/or outdoor spaces only for the time being.

    Are there any upfront costs?

    Requests for Portrait Sessions are always free. To submit a Portrait Session Request, please fill out this form. Enter the required information such as name, contact info and session details and allow 3-5 business days for the request to be proccessed. Submitting these requests does not guarantee a time, date or location and is not an appointment. All session requests are subject to availability.
    All portrait sessions require a $200 non-refundable deposit, due at the time of the Pre-Session meeting. This deposit will go towards the cost of the photography session, excluding prints and digital downloads of images unless otherwise stated in package pricing details. Deposits will only be accepted once the terms of the session have been discussed and a session date has been booked. Deposits can be paid by cash, Venmo or Zelle. No checks, credit/debit card or money orders will be accepted for deposits or other session payments at this time. Failure to pay the deposit in full will result in your session request being cancelled. A new Session Request form must be filled out after a session or session request has been cancelled.

    Do you do weddings/birthdays/events?

    Yes! I am available to photograph events throughout New England and Eastern New York State.
    Requests for Event Sessions are always free. To submit a Event Session Request, please fill out this form. Enter the required information such as name, contact info and event details and allow 3-5 business days for the request to be proccessed. Submitting these requests does not guarantee a time or date and is not an appointment. All session requests are subject to availability.
    All event sessions require a $300 non-refundable deposit, due at the time of the Pre-Event meeting to discuss the needs of the event. This deposit will go towards the cost of the event, excluding prints and digital downloads of images unless otherwise stated in package details. Deposits will only be accepted once the terms of the event have been discussed. Deposits can be paid by cash, Venmo or Zelle. No checks, credit/debit card or money orders will be accepted for deposits or other event payments at this time. Failure to pay the deposit in full will result in your event photography session request being cancelled. A new Event Session Request form must be filled out after a session has been cancelled.

    I never like how I look in photos, what can you do to make me like the photos?

    Everyone is beautiful in their own way, but I can understand not liking how you appear in photographs. I never use photoshop or AI to alter my subjects, even if you request it. I find that using photoshop to alter images after the session leads to lower quality images and doesn't capture the true spirit of my subjects.
    My goal with portraits is to use your natural beauty to enhance the photos. I achieve this by using lighting and posing techniques to focus the image on what you love about yourself and draw attention away from any insecurities.

    What should I wear?

    That all depends on the session! For a graduation session you should consider bringing your cap and gown. For engagements or birthdays, you may want to stick to a certain color or theme. All of this can be discussed before the session so we can come up with the best plan for your goals. The bottom line is you should wear something that you feel comfortable in for the weather/temperature/occasion and something that makes you feel beautiful. When you look good and feel good, it shows in your photos!
    Most importantly, wear sturdy shoes you can walk around in and bring your stylish shoes in a bag. Some sessions may require a short hike to get to the location, you will want shoes that you are comfortable walking in outdoors until we get to the location.
    You can bring more than one outfit for a session as long as it has been discussed prior to the session. Keep in mind, outfit changes outdoors raise unique challenges with privacy and multiple outfit changes take time away from the session. Outfit changes should be kept to a minimum to allow for most of the session time spent on taking photos.

    Do you have props?

    I have limited props available for use. These include neutral colored blankets, stuffed animals, glassware, books and picture frames. You are encouraged to bring along any other sorts of props you would like included in your session!
    Some ideas for props you may want to bring with you include: Balloons, cake/cupcakes, jewelry, fashion accessories, signs, candles and sentimental items.

    Do you use a studio?

    At this time I do not use a studio. I do not have enough room at home and renting studio space is expensive. Someday in the near future I hope to have access to a studio for portrait photography, but until then sessions will be photographed in public and/or outdoor spaces.

    What about the weather?

    Sessions can be photographed in nearly any weather! Rain and snow can make the session even better. As long as the weather is not severe enough to close roads and is not life threatening, the session will still go on. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.

    How long is one session?

    An average portrait session is about 2 hours. This time includes outfit changes, posing, setting up scenes and taking the photos. This is excluding the time it takes to travel to and from the location(s). Portrait sessions are priced based on this 2-hour appointment time. More time can be requested if needed but generally is not needed for the average session.

    How many photos do you shoot in one session?

    The number of photos taken varies from session to session. I often take more photos than will be presented. This ensures I capture the best take for each pose, outfit and scene. Generally, a minimum of 20 final images to a maximum of 25 final images will be presented for an average 2-hour portrait session.

    Something came up, can I reschedule/cancel my session?

    Requests for rescheduling and canceling must be in writing, sent to me directly via email. I encourage you to try everything you can to keep the originally agreed upon session date to avoid lengthy wait times for the next available session date and/or delays in receiving your final images.
    Rescheduling must be requested in writing at least 72 hours before the date of the session/event. Your initial deposit will still go towards the rescheduled session. An additional non-refunable deposit may be required for frequent rescheduling. Requests for rescheduling sessions within 72 hours will be considered on a case by case basis, but are not guaranteed.
    Cancellations must be requested no later than one week before the date of the session/event. Your deposit towards the session will not be refunded for any reason. Any other payments (not including deposits) towards the session will be refunded within 7-10 business days from the date of approval for the cancellation. Rescheduling the session is encouraged as opposed to canceling so you do not lose your deposit. A new non-refunable deposit will be required if you choose to cancel and rebook a new session and your old deposit will not go towards the new session.

    My family will be in town for (insert holdiday here). Will you photograph us while they are in town?

    When your family is in town for the holidays, my family is also in town for the holidays, or I may be travelling to see them. So the short answer is no, I do not photograph on major holidays. The long answer is, I can photograph for holiday's in the weeks leading up to and the weeks after major holidays! It is always worth submitting a request to see if we can plan out a date that would work for everyone.

    How do I book a session?

    Please fill out the Photography Session Request form!
    Once the form is submitted, I will reach out within 3-5 business days via email to set up a Pre-Session Meeting to discuss your needs and wants for the session. The meeting is mandatory before we can set a session date and can either happen over the phone or in person. During the meeting we will discuss pricing, session location, duration, outfit changes, props, participants and any limitations surrounding the session or other special requests. The Pre-Session Meeting allows me to tailor each experience to each unique client to achieve the best results. Once the details of the session are agreed upon, a contract is signed and the deposit is paid, then the date of the session will be booked. You will recieve a confirmation email shortly after the meeting with the date, time and location of the portrait session.
    Event Sessions will also require a similar Pre-Session Meeting so we can discuss the needs of your event.

    How long does it take for me to get my images?

    Depending on the length of the session/event, complexity of the editing requests and number of final images, editing can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks. The digital image package will need to be purchased either with your session or after the session to recieve images digitally (unless otherwise stated in package details). All digital images will be emailed to you. A flash drive copy of the digital images can be mailed to you for an additional $10/flash drive/session. For more information, please refer to Session and Print Pricing section under Book A Session.

    Can I order physical prints of my images?

    Yes! A variety of physical print sizes and finishes can be purchased for an additional price (Prints are not included in the price of the session or digital image package). Specialty prints such as mugs, t-shirts, ornaments and much more can also be ordered for special occasions. For more information please refer to the Session and Print Pricing section under Book A Session.
  • Art and My Mission FAQs

    Answers to questions regarding my art, photography and mission.

    How did you get your start in art and science?

    Art and creation have been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always had a big imagination and I've found many ways to channel those ideas. I've experiemented with many different artistic mediums throughout my life; poetry, story telling, drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, embroidery, you name it. I find myself most content when creating. I love the freedom making art gives you. There are no rules or expectations, there is no right or wrong way to do something. Art is about experimentation and exploring the limits of your own imagintion. I've always loved taking what I can see in my mind's eye and bringing it to life.

    I also have always been a naturally curious person. I was the child that would ask "Why?" to every statement made to me. I wanted to understand the world and how things worked. Despite my curiousity, math and science didn't come to me as easily as art. I was desperate to understand, but the way information was presented to me thoughout school didn't make sense. At times I felt like I just wasn't meant to understand it and so my love for science waned.

    That was until my high school Earth Science teacher took myself and a few other students on a trip to Great Basin National Park. We camped in the wilderness for a whole week, we summited Mt. Wheeler and we explored the deserts of Nevada. There was so much beauty and so many things that I learned on that trip and in his classes. Although that trip built a lot of confidence within me, I still had many doubts that I was meant for a science career. I spent my remaining year in high school plus the first year of college stuck in that self-doubt.

    Finally, in my second year of college, I decided to take a leap of faith and major in Oceanography. I wanted to challenge myself to work hard and do something I didn't think was possible at the time. While working through my degree, it occured to me that I didn't have to just focus on science, or just focus on art. I could do both. I decided to declare a minor in Photography as well. I graduated from Stockton University in 2023 with a B.S. in Oceanography and minor in Photography. I was so proud that I had finally proven to myself I was meant for science AND art.

    What is my mission?

    My mission is to blend the world of art and earth science to help make the sciences more accessible to more people. I want to use my art and photography to share the beauty of our world and to help educate people on the underlying scientific processes as well as the importance of protecting our planet.

    My first venture in to this mission is through my newsletter and postcard "Science is Art".

    Who and what inspires me?

    The quote on the home page is from an environmentalist, activist and photographer named Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The quote, "Earth is art, the photographer is only a witness." is something I read while I was still working towards my degree and was an awakening for me. This quote, and some of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's films, such as 'Earth From Above' and 'Planet Ocean', are part of what gave me the idea that I can be both an aritist and scientist. Since then I have spent lots of time watching many different environmental documentaries to gain inpiration from the photographers who have come before me and learn about pressing issues across the world's ecosystems.

    Please visit the links below that contain the work of other photographers and artists who have inspired me throughout different times in my life.

    - Brain Skerry - National Geographic photojournalist and producer

    - Sylvia Plath - Poet and novelist

    - Joy Gregory - Photographer and artist

    What are my favorite mediums to work with?

    My favorites right now are acrylic and cyanotypes.

    Acrylic lends itself well to many different applications and allows for lots of experimentation. It dries very quickly and the texture of the paint can be adjusted easily for different application styles. I find myself using it most often on stretched canvas, but I have also used it on wood, metal, clay and even lighters!

    Cyanotypes are a special type of light-sensitive chemical that can be applied to paper and fabrics. Once they are exposed to the sun, they turn the paper or fabric a deep shade of blue. What is covered from the light will stay the original color. This can be used to create sillouettes or outlines of the object placed on top of the paper or fabric.

  • 'Science is Art' FAQs

    Answers to questions regarding my newsletter and postcard subscription to 'Science is Art'.

    How can I subscribe to the digital newsletter?

    You can subscribe to the FREE digital newsletter by going to this link and submitting your email address! You will be notified everytime there is a new post.

    You will never receive spam emails or promotional offers by subscribing.

    How can I subscribe to the physical postcard?

    You can receive the postcard by going to this link and subscribing to my StampFans! Subscriptions are only $3/month and help support me so I can create more 'Science is Art' lessons. Subscribers will receive a new post card every month, beginning in January of 2026.

    What kinds of content should I expect from the newsletter vs the postcard?

    Both the digital newsletter and the physical postcard will contain the same lesson. Each month will feature a mini-lesson within the realm of earth science and photographs I have taken that help illustrate the lesson. Topics will range from geology, oceanography, meteorology, ecology and more! The postcard will have an exclusive photograph only available for StampFans subscribers.

    How often are they updated?

    'Science is Art' will have new posts monthly beginning in January 2026. The digital newsletter will be posted on the 1st of each month and the postcards will be mailed out on the 10th of each month. StampFans subscribers should expect to receive their postcards within about 7-10 business days after the 10th of each month.

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