I would love to chat with you right now about any questions you might have! Click the yellow quote bubble at the bottom right of your screen and send me a message. If I am available, I will respond immediately!
Why should I choose NLP?
The truth is, there are dozens of phenomenal local photographers here on the Outer Banks. Several of them are my close friends, and I have many of their photographs of my family in my home. Our prices are competitive, and we're all good people, so it's hard to make a bad choice!
The difference is style and personality, and you should book with the photographer who you love. I consider it an honor anytime somebody chooses me because I know there are so many other great choices.
Style - my style is a combination of traditional and candid. I am a natural-light photographer, which means nothing more than I love shooting without artificial light like a flash. Of course, I could take the time here to explain what this means, but you're better off just taking a look for yourself!
Personality - over the past ten years, my reputation as a kid-friendly, take-charge, easy-going, people-pleasing photographer has become well established. The three things I love the most about my job are meeting new people, talking about the Outer Banks, and creating photos that my clients are excited to share with their friends and family for years to come.
What is the photo session experience like?
A photo session is basically an hour of you enjoying the beach with your family while I shoot your photos. It really is as simple as that.
I typically start out with more traditional poses of the entire family together, work my way through different groupings and individual shots of kids, and then, once everyone is more relaxed, capture some great candid shots. I'm happy to receive a list of the shots you want, but unless you want something out of the ordinary, I've probably already got it covered!
And, if you have any questions, I love talking about the history, landmarks and food of the Outer Banks while we're shooting!
What is the best time of day to shoot?
Whatever you do, do not book with a photographer who suggests to shoot on the beach any time other than just after sunrise or just before sunset. These two times every sunny day are what we call "the golden hour", and they are by far the absolute best times to shoot outdoor portraits, especially on the beach! The sunlight during the golden hour is soft and warm, and of course, nothing can beat having a spectacular Outer Banks sunset as the backdrop for your photos.
Light is the most important element of any photo shoot. Add the reflective nature of the sand and ocean, and light can make or break a beach portrait session. If you're OK with squinty eyes, harsh shadows, and bikinis and beer bellies in the background, maybe the middle of the day is the best time to schedule your beach portrait session! If not, book in the evening when the beach is empty and the light is beautiful.
If it fits my schedule, I am willing to shoot at other times of the day, but I always make certain my clients understand that my best work and their best photos will always take place in the golden hour.
What should I expect after our shoot?
It can take up to four weeks to edit your photos in the middle of the summer season. But typically, within a few days of the shoot, I post a sneak peek on Facebook and Instagram, and usually, within a few weeks, you receive an email from me with a link to your full, online SmugMug gallery.
Once you receive the link to your photos, you are then free to do pretty much whatever you want with them, including sharing your private link with family and friends, posting online, and ordering prints through me or your favorite local or online print shop.
What are my options for ordering prints?
There are almost too many options, and you are free to choose whatever works best for you. This is one of the benefits of choosing NLP.
Just remember that you typically get what you pay for, from one-hour pharmacy prints to top-of-the-line photo labs. I always like to think that my work is being printed with quality for your family to enjoy for years to come, and therefore, I offer you the opportunity to order prints directly from your online gallery through the world-renowned Bay Photo Lab.
Still have questions I did not answer here? Click on the little yellow quote bubble on the bottom right of your screen and ask away!