Frequently asked questions
USC Graduates
FAQ
01. How do i book a shoot?
To book, simply fill out the contact form linked on my website or email ellamcnameephotography.com
We’ll chat and go over the details of your session. Once your session is confirmed, a 50% non refundable retainer and signed contract are required to officially secure your date. Your session is fully booked once you receive a confirmation email from me. If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help!
02. What does professional editing include?
All galleries include professional color grading, cropping, and straightening. I take extra care to remove distractions whenever possible, such as minor background elements or people, and thoughtfully correct wardrobe mishaps like loose strings or small stains. I also fix minor hair mishaps and flyaways when needed.
In addition, I go beyond basic edits by lightly enhancing skin texture, blemishes, and teeth whitening to ensure each image has a clean, polished, and elevated final look while still feeling natural and true to you.
Certain locations photograph best at specific times of day, so I’ll help guide you in choosing a time that allows for the most flattering light. I offer both early morning sessions, which typically begin around 7 AM for the best morning light, as well as early evening sessions where we catch that beautiful golden hour light.
03. WHat time of day is best to shoot at?
04. What if I’m not good at posing?
No worries at all, I’m here to help! I’ll guide you through poses and direct you throughout the entire shoot so nothing ever feels awkward or forced. I will quite literally be your personal hype woman the entire time, cheering you on and making sure you feel confident and comfortable.
05. What happens if it rains?
I always keep an eye on the weather and prefer to wait until one to two hours before your session before making any decisions. If it is still raining or extremely cloudy at that time, we will reschedule for a new date that works for both of us.
I hold select dates open each season specifically for weather reschedules, so rest assured we will find a time that works. For early morning sessions, we will discuss any weather concerns the night before.
06. Can I bring friends, family, or pets?
Absolutely! Friends, family members, and pets are always welcome as long as you are the only graduate being photographed. If you are interested in photos with multiple graduates, please refer to my group graduation packages for more information.
If you plan to bring a pet, I kindly ask that you bring an extra person to help assist between shots so everything runs smoothly. The people and pets you bring are such a meaningful part of your graduation story, and I am more than happy to help capture those moments for you.
07. How long does it take for me to receive my photos?
My goal is always to deliver your photos as quickly as possible while giving each portrait the care it deserves. Turnaround times may vary based on my workload, but clients can expect to receive their fully edited gallery within four weeks of their session date.
08. Are the Horseshoe, Thomas Cooper Library, and Cocky treated as separate locations?
Yes. Each location requires time to pack up equipment and travel between spots, so they are treated as individual locations within your session.
09. What are your add on services?
Additional locations may be added to your session, allowing us to photograph at more campus landmarks. Pricing varies per location based on travel time.
Additional edited portraits may also be added to increase the number of fully edited images in your final gallery. Pricing varies per portrait and reflects additional editing time.
I also offer in office editing sessions at an hourly rate. While I thoughtfully curate all standard galleries myself, this option allows you to be involved in the image selection process with my professional guidance.
Expedited editing is available for an additional fee and moves your gallery to the top of my editing queue, for delivery ahead of the standard turnaround time.
10. What is the duration of a typical session?
I do not strictly time my sessions, as I never want to rush your experience or my photography. Instead, my sessions are structured and priced based on the number of locations you choose.
The number of locations directly impacts how long your session lasts, how much we move throughout campus, and how many portraits are included in your final gallery, which also reflects the editing time involved.
This allows for a more relaxed, enjoyable session where we can focus on creating beautiful images instead of watching the clock.
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