General Questions

Are you eco-friendly?

With every day that passes, I do everything I can do reduce the amount of paper used, how it's used, and how to reduce my carbon footprint. Naturally, being a (currently) one person operation, it's pretty easy to be eco-friendly. I send out contracts via email, and any printing made is through a well respected company that uses eco-friendly ink and paper. Props are always reused, and when they're discarded, they are through either recycling or through donating. So besides figuring out how to get my home to be powered by renewable energy, I'm as eco-friendly as one can be.

Are you LGBTQ+ Friendly?

YES! A million times yes.

What is a Lifestyle Session?

These are so much fun! They're a little glimpse of your day to day life, and these are especially precious when you have children. You get to remember what life was like when they were smaller and learning the world. This works for couples too. They're candid moments, so I just follow around with a camera in your personal spaces to document what life looks like in that time. No posing necessary.

What is the pricing of your prints?

There's two different pricings, one for personal photography sessions and one for Fine Art Prints. You can go HERE to look at the prices for personal photography sessions such as portraits. As for Fine Art Prints, it's based off of the image and is displayed under the Shop link under the Works page.

Can you give me a summary of your contract so I know you're the right fit for us?

Of course! So, this contract gives you an outline of what package you agreed on, the location of your shoot, and the time.
Restrictions and Fees: Depending on the venue, they might have policies on what a photographer can and cannot do, so we have to follow those rules while still trying to get the photographs you're looking for. If there is any parking or destination fees, that will either be added to your invoice, or if you can pay it on site for the photographer, that can work as well.
Interference or Obstruction: We are asking that if anyone else on location also has a camera to just enjoy the moment and let the photographer you paid for to take care of capturing your moments. However, if any illegal or scandalous activities happen to be captured in the photographs, the photographer and business can't be held liable for the reprocussions that happen due to the photos. This rarely ever happens, and won't likely be something to worry about.
Meals and Breaks: If there is a shoot that is over 6 hours, the photographer should be provided with a meal. Bathroom breaks are only when necessary, and for every 5 hours of shooting, they are allowed a 20 minute break.
Changes and Confirmation: The photographer must be notified of any changes to schedule or location via phone or email, and the photographer has to confirm it. We also request that if we haven't reached out to you two weeks before the event that you reach out to us to go over any last minute details. We usually keep in close touch with you and we encourage you to contact us at any time you think of something you'd like to discuss.
Finances and payment: The initial payment is considered a retainer fee and deposit. This will be non-refundable if the event is canceled. Overtime fee applied to when photographers work more than the hours included in your package. There is a $50 late fee for every transaction not paid by the due date or for every bounced check, regardless if the check was given by the due date.
Cancelation/Refund Policy: Retainer is non-refundable in the event of cancelation. If you are unhappy with your digital photographs, you have 90 days to contact Kayte Mae Photography so we can mediate the concerns. For events that can be recreated(weddings, family events), you will be able to get a 50% refund but you will forfeit all rights to all the photographs of that session. With prints and albums, you have 90 days to contact us in order to get a full refund or a reprint once the product has been sent to us. LDPI can be refunded 90 days from purchase. After 90 days, Kayte Mae Photogtaphy will no longer be able to do refunds, echanges, or reshoot any sessions or orders.
Ordering Prints and Albums: When you gallery becomes available, prices will be listed in either your album or pricing list will be sent you via email. You can print up to 6 months after the session through Kayte Mae Photography (12 months for weddings) unless you have LDPI, then you can order indefinitely. Orders usually arrive within two weeks.
Lifetime Digital Photographs Insurance: If you purchase this insurance, this guarantees that Kayte Mae Photography will have your photos on file to redownload or print from as long as Kayte Mae Photography is an entity. This only applied to the edited images that have been sent to you in your original purchase.
Copyright: Kayte Mae Photography owns the copyright to all photographs. When you buy the digital files, you have printing rights. The difference between the copyright and the printing rights is that you will be able to upload your photographs and print them with any company you trust. However, you cannot give the photographs to a third party for profit or for commercial use. Kayte Mae Photography also reserves the right to use the photographs for promotional, educational, or competitive use.
Damages to Equipment or Venue: If the photographers equipment is damaged due to a guest or client during the session, the client is responsible for paying the damages or replacing the damaged property. If the photographer breaks their own equipment, the photographer is responsible for replacing it, not the client. If damages were to occur at the venue but not to the photographers property (including clients garments), Kayte Mae Photography cannot be liable for damages.
Failure to Perform: Kayte Mae Photography cannot be held liable in the event photos can't be captured due to weather, scheduling complications, lateness of individuals, restrictions of venue, or obstructions from decorations of the location. We always like a list of "Must have" photos, but it will only be used for organizational purposes only. Let us know any of important individuals so we can highlight them in you album. We recommend having someone who knows everyone to help organize the photograph.
Force Majeure: Heaven forbid, but if the photographer cannot make it to a rescheduled event because of an illness, or an emergency, or even camera equipment failure, our first course of action is to get another photographer out to you. If that is unable to be taken care of, we will refund you and will vlaim no further liability beyonf that. This includes if an SD card fails, though this rarely to never happens.
Artistic License: Show us photos that you like or inspire you! we encourage it. However, please know that there's a chance it might not be replicated. By hiring us, you trust our artistic abilities, including our editing style. This means you will be unable to edit the photographs yourself, but you're welcome to reach out if you'd like to alter a photo so we can see what we can do.
A lot of stuff to take in, but it's nothing outside of the norm. If anything concerns you, you're welcome to talk to me about it.

What is Lifetime Digital Photographs Insurance?

Lifetime Digital Photographs Insurance (LDPI) is a service I offer usually for larger priced sessions such as weddings or events. Life happens, and sometimes, people are met with an important event (such as weddings) being deleted or missing. LDPI gives that buffer of knowing that I will have your photos ready for you to redownload when you ask for them. This way no matter what life throws at you, I will have them available. In the event you had me photograph your engagement photos and wedding photos, you would just have to purchase it once and it will apply to both sessions.

How long have you been doing photography?

I started doing photography back in 2006. Granted, back then I had almost noooo idea what I was doing. It turned more into a serious hobby in 2008. In 2010, I went to college for it (passively). It turned into a career option in 2012-ish. So it's been over a decade. My passion has only grown and I don't see it fizzling out anytime soon.

I like editing photos, especially ones of my family/friends. Can I have the raw files so I can edit them?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide raws. By hiring a photographer, you are hiring their artistic vision for the photographs, not just the act of taking the photos. You are welcome to talk to us about how you'd like a photo edited so we can do the editing ourselves. The point of this is in the event you post a photograph we took, we want it to properly represent our artistic vision so your friends, family, or others will know what style we aim for in the event they want photos similar to it.

Portrait Sessions

How do I know which package is right for us?

You’re welcome to contact me so we can figure out the right package for you. I’ll be completely honest with the time restraints, so I won’t tell you to get a 3-hour package if your two year old has the attention span of 1 hour. However, if none of the packages fit in your criteria of what you are looking for, I’d be willing to customize a package that works best for your occasion.

So, how does this process work?

I try to make it as easy as possible for you. When you contact me, whether it be thruogh email, messenger, text, phone call, or in person, I ask you for the follwing information: What event is it for, the names of the people involved and their age, the date, time (if you don't know a time, we can narrow it down closer to the date), what package you're looking for, and the location you'd like to do your session at. (If you don't know the location, I'm always willing to make some suggestions based off of the style of the shoot.) I then ask for the deposit to secure your date and time which you can do so by Venmo, Cashapp, or Paypal. I like keeping in touch with you so you feel comfortable with sharing any ideas you might have. I love pinterest boards too! So feel free to give ideas of what style shoot you'd like.
On the day of the shoot, we meet up. It always feels awkward the first few minutes but I always ask that you just embrace the awkwardness, as the nerves give genuine smiles. If you shared a pinterest board or photos, I'll go to them in my phone to show you the next photo idea so I make sure oyu get what you want.
Once we are done, I will keep in contact with you until the photos are uploaded. For regular portraits and family photos, it will usually take no longer than two weeks. For weddings or large events, it will be no longer than a month. I will update you if there's any reason the photos can't be completed it in the respected time frame. I'll never leave you in the dark. In the meantime, I like giving out sneak peaks. ;)
When they're uploaded, I send you an email to review the photos along with a coupon code to apply to your cart for any freebies you may have received with your package. You have your own personal gallery that you can view from your phone, tablet, or computer. You can go through and favorite them, or add them to your cart. You have the option for digital photos (High resolution), or any prints. If you purchase any prints, it usually takes about three days to receive them. We can either meet up or I can send them to your address. When you cash out, you can do so right on the website.
And that's that! I'm always an open door for any questions you may have so even when our session is done and you've already picked your photos, you're always welcome to reach out for any reason at all, even if it's to show me photos of your dog. (ESPECIALLY if it's photos of your dog!)

What should I wear?

Dressy is usually the best way to go, but honestly, whatever you feel best in! If you're uncomfortable, you will see it when you review your photos. So though you should dress to impress, don't do it at the sake of your sanity and comfort. When in doubt, it's usually safe to rely on neutral/earthy tones that are simple in design. Patterns or anything too busy might be too distracting unless there's a theme you're going for. This is just a guideline so if you feel like being unconventional, go for it! Just as long as you feel like it portrays you in the way you want to be seen. :)

What happens if the weather doesn't work out on the day of the shoot?

I do my best to keep an eye on the weather leading up to it. If it's getting iffy, I reach out usually the day before to make sure we have back up plans. What usually happens in situations like this is we reschedule. Afterall, we do live in Michigan, and our weather likes to flip on a dime. However, if you want to take the risk with rain, I'm here for it.

I’d like to book a session but I don’t have the retainer. Can I still book with you?

We can't hold a date until the retainer is paid for. However, we will put you in our calendar. Paying for the retainer holds that date and time for you, this way if someone else asks for that date, we won't reschedule you, as you have already paid for it.

There’s a photo you took of us that I love, but I’d like to see it edited a different way. Can I edit them?

Per Artist License, you will be unable to edit your own photos. But you're welcome to talk to us about it! As long as we have the original file (there's a 6 month window), we'd love to try and edit it in a way you envision it.

Wedding Sessions

I'm looking for someone who can do Videography. Are you able to provide that service?

At this time, Kayte Mae Photography is unable to provide videography services. I'd happily recommend you to someone though depending on what you're looking for, so don't be afraid to reach out!

Fine Art Photos

I’m looking at your art photographs but I don’t see the size I want to purchase. Can I request a size?

Heck yes! Contact us so we can figure out the price point for it! It might have to be custom ordered, but usually it's do-able.