Professional Portraits in just 20 minutes!

You betcha! I honed my speed photo skills to perfection when I ran a school photography company (we did natural light portraiture for 40+ schools (over 20,000 kids!) all over the Bay Area. I'd have approximately 60 seconds with each kiddo in order to produce a lovely portrait.

So, the fact that we have 20 minutes is WAY more than enough time for me. ;) I work FAST!

You can expect a patient, playful, lighthearted approach to your shoot where my goal is to provide the most relaxed, comfortable fun experience possible. Even though our time will be short, my goal is to make you happy and relaxed so that in the end I may present to you images that reflect your true spirit and personality.goal is still to capture your family in their natural state interacting with each other and grab those tiny and big moments of connection.

When we meet at Lake Temescal in Oakland we'll have 15 minutes to some great shots of you. I will guide you on how to stand or sit, who should sit where and what to do with your hands (always a hard thing to figure out) and quickly make sure you don't have hair stuck to their lipstick or a crooked collars and then we get started.

During your session, we'll use various backgrounds and clothing layers to create many different looks.

This is designed for one person only, however if your partner, your child or your pet need a headshot too. I have an "add on" option for one more person.

An extra person/pet adds an extra 10 minutes and an extra 5+ images to your sitting for an additional $100. Two birds, one stone...

A few weeks before your session, I'll be sending you my "client preparation guide" which will give you examples of outfits, talk about haircuts, and make suggestions for how to make the most out of your session.

While there will be limited time for outfit changes, accessories are a great way to give yourself many different looks! Here are some ideas for great ad-ons: knit hats, favorite blankets, mittens, capes, beaded necklaces, tiaras, or anything else your child has that would enhance an image.

As for props, if there's something you really want to have as part of your portraits, bring it along. I can't guarantee we'll be able to use it, but I'll always do my best. Some things people have brought in the past: photos of loved ones, meaningful scarves and jewelry, flowers, balloons, and even a favorite chair!

I love photographing pets but this is not the session for pets.

On the north side of Lake Temescal (the side closer to Broadway/highway 24)! The park offers many bright, naturally lit spaces and backgrounds.

I work in various parts of the park depending on how the leaves are looking and where the light is best. I'll email you the night before your session to let you know exactly where to find me and what I'll be wearing so you can find me easily.

Luckily the weather in the fall here in the Bay Area tends to be pretty reliable, but if it's looking like the weather will be no good for photos (in cases of extreme wind, rain or smoke for example), I'll be in contact with you the night before to find a time to reschedule at no cost to you.

Stuff happens. I get it. I will always try to accommodate changing schedules and will be happy to refund or reschedule any sessions with the following understanding:

If you wish to cancel fewer than 5 days prior to your session, you will forfeit $50 out of the original session payment as a cancellation fee.

If you wish to reschedule fewer than 5 calendar days prior to appointment, I will be happy to move your session if I still have openings during my mini sessions. If the mini sessions are sold out, however, or we cannot find an alternate time/day that will work for us collectively, your session will be cancelled and you will forfeit $50 out of the original session payment as a cancellation fee.

Appointments cancelled/rescheduled within 24 hours of the time for which they are scheduled (or if you miss your scheduled appointment) will not be refunded.

Appointments that are cancelled due to a real emergency may be rescheduled.

I know life happens, so I have a 5 minute grace period for Not So Mini Sessions. An time after 5 minutes will be deducted from your session's 20 minutes.

I suggest all my clients arrive 10 minutes early which has the added benefit of giving you time if you get a little lost, can't find me, need a potty break before your session, or you need a little time to warm up to a new place.

In the case of camera failure, inclement weather, or any other unforeseen incident that prevents Kristen from shooting on a scheduled date a new date will be scheduled or client will be refunded their deposit, if applicable. No refund will be given under any circumstances if you fail to attend the activity on the day and at the time listed, when the booking was made.

Due to the nature of digital photography and the fact that photographs, once sent, cannot be returned; Kristen has a strict NO REFUNDS policy. Once a transaction has been completed (i.e., the buyer selected and paid for the photo and Kristen sent the buyer the correct photograph) it is then considered non-refundable. If a buyer has selected and purchased an incorrect photo, he/she must notify Kristen, BEFORE receiving the “incorrect” photograph. Refunds will NOT be given due to “not liking a photo”, selecting an incorrect photo after the buyer has already received the photograph, or any other reason. If a mistaken photo is sent to the buyer, as documented on the invoice, Kristen will send the correct photo to the buyer free of charge.

If you have any questions regarding this policy please call Kristen at 510-418-1668