General Questions

• WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE?
  Whether a toddler or a bride, our approach to photography remains the same. Our “candid-portrait” style of photography provides you with images that truly reflect the personality and essence of those in front of the camera. We feel strongly that you should look like YOU in your photos—no awkward poses or fake smiles… just you and your life as you want to remember it.
• WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
  I shoot with Nikon’s highest end camera (D3S) and lenses… They have superior image quality, and capabilities to rarely miss the shot!
• HOW DO YOU LIGHT YOUR IMAGES?
  Whenever possible I prefer to use natural light. This is not always feasible, so I have various lights and flashes that create the visual effect I’m after.
• HOW SOON WILL WE SEE OUR PHOTOS?
  Our standard turn-around time for your photo session is 2 weeks.  At this time, we’ll invite you into the studio to view your images in a proof presentation.  Before you begin the ordering process, we recommend that you consider what you need photos for (a particular location in your home, a gift for a loved one).  Planning ahead will help in the selection process.  Children are welcome at the proofing session, but it may be in your best interest to schedule a time where you can come alone. This session typically lasts about 1 hour.  Once an order is placed, it is again roughly 2 weeks until you’re holding your photos in your hands!
• HOW DOES THE ORDERING PROCESS WORK?
  Orders may be placed in person, online, by phone or email.  We encourage you to let us help you figure out how best to use your photos so they fit your needs and complement your home.  Payment is due in full when an order is placed.  Prices are subject to change without notice.  If prices increase, quoted prices will be honored for up to 60 days from the session date.  We’re always happy to provide a proof of a composite print, or a digital adjustment to an image, but we spend a lot of time on these, so we ask for a  25% deposit before proofing is provided.
• CAN OUR IMAGES BE PRINTED IN BLACK AND WHITE?
  Of course!  All of our images are captured digitally, and will first be presented to you in color.  We are happy to show you a preview of any image in BW while you’re in the studio, and our fabulous online proofing system gives you the ability to do this from home.  We also offer customized image enhancements, which greatly enrich the image quality.
• DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?
  Yes.  We accept Visa and MasterCard.  We also accept checks and cash.
• DO YOU TRAVEL?
  Absolutely!  I travel to Washington, D.C. several times a year for photo shoots, but will happily join you anywhere!  Our service area is within 25 miles of our Cleveland office.  Beyond this, distance/travel fees do apply.  Distance/travel fees are non-refundable and are required at the time of booking.  Please contact us for further details.
• HOW LONG DO YOU KEEP OUR IMAGES?
  We keep your images indefinitely.  They are archived on multiple CD’s and hard drives, and stored in multiple locations.  Should we ever decide that we don’t want them anymore, we’ll be sure to let you know!
• WILL YOU TOUCH UP MY PHOTOS?
  Digital capabilities allow for minor touch-ups, so there is no need to worry about a scratch, blemish or stain.
• WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
  The studio reserves the right to use images and/or reproductions for display, publications or other lawful purposes. All images remain the property of Kim Ponsky Photography, LLC and Kim Ponsky Shilo. All images are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws. Reproductions of any kind are strictly prohibited.
• WHO DESIGNED YOUR WEBSITE?
  Our amazing new website was designed by Purely Branded (www.purelybranded.com).  They specialize in custom designs and search engine optimization.  I also happen to be married to the owner!

Portraits Questions

• HOW LONG DOES AN ON-LOCATION FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION LAST?
  During the session, Kim will take the time to get to know your children so they feel comfortable and at ease.  She’ll get to know them and encourage them to be themselves.  Standard location sessions are allotted two hours (most run 45 – 80 minutes). A fee may apply for sessions exceeding two hours
• CAN OUR PARENTS, FRIENDS, AND COUSINS WATCH THE PHOTO SHOOT?
  We request that only those to be photographed are present at the time of the session. The relationship your child establishes with Kim, and the interactions they share are important for a great shoot.  Too many helpers can often over-stimulate a child, or disconnect his/her relationship with Kim.  Distractions can limit the success of the portrait session.
• CAN WE BRING OUR CAMERA TO THE SESSION?
  No other photographers, please!  The results of the photo session are hugely dependent on the kids’ comfort level with Kim.  She strives to allow your kids to forget they’re “on the job,” and just be themselves.  A parent or grandparent with a camera will only hurt the process.  Plus, with too many cameras, the kids don’t know where too look.
• WHY ARE NEWBORN SESSIONS 2-HOUR SESSION?
  Newborn sessions are scheduled as 2 hour session, but can often take longer.  They require a lot of patience.  Those little ones need comfort, food, and potty clean-ups!  Because we often try to get the babies to sleep, there is a lot of waiting… They’re the bosses.
• WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY FOR AN OUTDOOR SHOOT?
  This depends largely on the time of year—but generally we try to avoid the mid-day sun.  Session held around 10am or 4pm offer a milder light that looks great in photos!  But, the biggest restriction for time should always be your kids’ schedules—happy, rested kids with full bellies always have great photo shoots, no matter what time of day!
• WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE PREGNANCY PHOTOS?
  We recommend taking pregnancy photos during the end of your 7th month, or the beginning of your 8th.  Don’t wait too long, or you may look and be uncomfortable in your pictures, or deliver early and miss your shoot altogether!
• WHAT EXACTLY IS A LOCATION SESSION, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
  Working in a casual and natural environment allows you and your child feel comfortable and at ease. We work in or around your home, or at a location of your choice using only natural light. Working in a familiar environment allows your child to relax and be his/herself. This then allows us to capture images that truly represent your child.
• WE LIVE IN CLEVELAND!  WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
  Sometimes a shoot will need to be rescheduled due to rain, snow or the sniffles. Please provide at least 24 hours notice whenever possible. Rescheduling will be a priority, but is subject to availability.
• I DON’T WANT TO BRING MY NEWBORN OUT YET… CAN YOU BRING THE STUDIO TO ME?
  Yes, we can bring the studio to you– backdrop, lights, and all!  A studio set-up is used for Pregnancy and Newborn sessions, or upon request.  Approximately 10-15 square feet is needed when the studio set-up is used.
• DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
  We collect full payment for a portrait session upon booking.  If circumstances require rescheduling, the fee is good for a year from the original session date.
• IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR LARGE GROUPS?
  Yes.  The posted session fees apply to groups of up to 6 people.  Additional charges will apply to larger groups.  Call us at 216.229.7427 for details.
• CAN OUR PETS BE IN OUR PHOTOS?
  They’re members of the family, too!  Yes, of course.  Please bring someone along to handle the pets when they’re not participating in the shoot so the don’t cause too much of a distraction.
• DO YOU USE PROPS?
  We believe that props should be a side-dish, not the main-course… When used, props should help to tell a story, or to enhance the images– it’s important that they don’t become the focus.  At our studio we don’t have many props at all.  We want to be able to engage the kids we photograph and when their attention is focused elsewhere that can hurt the process.  We also think that kids are cute all on their own– there’s no need to sweeten the sugar!
• WHAT TYPES OF BACKDROPS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR STUDIO?
  We keep things very simple in our studio.  We use primarily solid black and white backdrops.  We have a mustard-color option for something different, and blue for the traditional corporate look.

Wedding Questions

• HOW MUCH COVERAGE DO I NEED FOR MY WEDDING?
  This is entirely up to you!  The amount of wedding coverage you need depends on your schedule of events for the day, and what you want to include in your album.  We recommend a minimum of 7 hours of coverage to ensure that we are able to capture the flow of the day in a way that allows us to tell your story.
• WILL I NEED MORE THAN ONE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MY WEDDING?
  We recommend a 2nd photographer if you have 120 guests or more.  Celebratory events are often spontaneously, and many memorable events happen simultaneously that you won’t want to miss!  The 2nd photographer offers not only another perspective, but more comprehensive coverage.
• HOW DO YOU LIGHT YOUR IMAGES?
  Whenever possible I prefer to use natural light. This is not always feasible, so I have various lights and flashes that create the visual effect I’m after.
• DO YOU REQUIRE A MEAL DURING THE WEDDING?
  Yes.  We need to keep our energy up and will require refueling!  Please provide a meal for all photographers and assistants working.  We always prefer sitting in the main room so we don’t miss out on any unexpected photo-ops.
• HOW LONG DO YOU STAY AT THE WEDDING?
  We typically remain at the wedding until the guests begin leaving.  When the crowd on the dance-floor thins out and the photos won’t express the fun and energy of the evening, that’s generally our cue to head out.  We always check with you to make sure it’s okay though!  Of course, the amount of time we stay at a wedding also depends on what the agreed upon package includes.
• WHAT TYPES OF WEDDING ALBUMS DO YOU OFFER?
  We use the world’s leading flush-mount albums, including Capri, Albums Epoca, Finao and Queensberry.  Our custom designs make your album the perfect keepsake.  We can show you everything we offer when we talk to you about your wedding.
• WHO CHOOSES THE PICTURES THAT GO IN THE ALBUM?
  While we’re happy to help, it’s your album, so you choose!  We’ll suggest a number of images based on the size of the album included in your package, but of course, you can always include more.  If there are images we think you overlooked, we’ll let you know… but ultimately, you’re the boss!
• DO YOU RELEASE YOUR DIGITAL IMAGE FILES?
  This is a hot debate among professional photographers.  We take great care in preparing our images to set them apart.  It’s important to know that our name is always connected to the highest quality work.  We are not a shoot and burn studio.  Some of our wedding packages do include a CD of digital image files, but only after we know that you have your album and a quality representation of your wedding photography.  We are always happy to post up to 5 of your images to Facebook for you at no cost!
• HOW SOON WILL WE SEE OUR PHOTOS?
  We know you can’t wait to re-live your big day, and we work hard to get your photos to you as quickly as possible!  Within a week of your wedding, we will post a preview of your photos to our blog, and we’ll invite you into the studio to view the rest within 6 weeks of your wedding.
• HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR WEDDING PHOTOS?
  You’re making an investment in your wedding photography, so why rush it?  With enough time, we can get relaxed, formal, fun & fashionable photos of you, your family and bridal party—even explore more than one location!  We recommend 2-3 hours for your wedding photography.  We’ve never seen met a bridal party that’s run on time (even our own!), so please leave enough time so we don’t have to rush.
• DO YOU DO DESTINATION WEDDINGS?
  Yes!  We have an incredible and unique offer for couples who want a Cleveland photographer, but a location that may be a bit more exotic… Ask us about our no-lose destination wedding offer!