Family Portrait Faq's

If the answer to your question is not below, please call Stories in Light at 416-319-0104. Or if you'd like us to call you click here.

Family Portraits...

Q. I'd like our family portrait to be outside, do you do that?
Q. Can we decide on the location or do you make specific recommendations?
Q. In the event of bad weather what happens, and do you have a rescheduleing policy?
Q. What time of day or year is best for our family portrait?
Q. Will you come to our home?
Q. Can we have individual and group portraits taken during the session?
Q. How many photographs do you take?
Q. What are your commission rates?
Q. Do you create family portraits in your studio?
Q. Do you do baby portraits?
Q. Do you create maternity portraits?
Q. I have a big family, is there a maximum number of people that can be included?
Q. When are you available?
Q. How much time do we set aside for our family portrait?
Q. Can we bring our dog, cat etc.?
Q. Will you give us tips on what to wear?
Q. When and how do we see our photographs after the session?
Q. When will our finished portraits be ready?
Q. Can you make us look better (i.e. younger, thinner etc.) in the final prints?
Q. What happens if one of our family becomes sick or are unable to attend?
Q. Do you offer the high-resolution files on a disc (i.e. digital negatives)?
Q. Can you help us with framing?
Q. Do you offer any specialty products?
Q. How do I commission your services?
Q. What is your rescheduling / cancellation policy?


Q. I'd like our family portrait to be outside, do you do that?

A. An interactive, outdoor environmental portrait experience is what the majority of families come to Stories in Light for. It's what we love to do best.

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Q. Can we decide on the location or do you make specific recommendations?

A. We have had the privilege to create valued family portraits in their front / back yards and numerous other locations having life significance for them. We can also suggest locations that we know to provide an ideal environment for portraiture.

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Q. In the event of bad weather what happens, and do you have a rescheduling policy?

A. Once a preferred commission date has been planned and secured, we recommend identifying an alternative "rain date" whenever possible. Preferred dates are secured with a $100.00 (non-refundable) retainer. In the event a sessions needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, your retainer is carried over automatically to the new date.

Our full rescheduling / cancellation policy.

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Q. What time of day or year is best for our family portrait?

A. Stories in Light will discuss the vision you have for your portrait and help you to create a plan. We can make recommendations as to where and when that vision can best be achieved. With the right tools, a great portrait can be made at almost any time of day or year when the subjects are willing.

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Q. Will you come to our home?

A. All we need is an ivitation. A Stories in Light portrait is a reflection of your lifestyle. What better place than your home to personalize your portrait and set it apart from the local shopping mall studio.

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Q. Can we have individual and group portraits taken during the session?

A. Stories in Light seeks to provide you with maximum value from our time together. Creating a selection of individual and group portraits (as your session time allows) can easily become part of your experience and included in your portrait plan.

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Q. How many photographs do you take?

A. There is no maximum to the number of portrait creations made during your session. During your post-session preview consultation, you can expect approximately 20 to 60 portraits representing the best of the best. Unflattering expressions, closed eyes etc. will have been removed to allow you to focus on the photographs you would value.

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Q. What are your commission rates?

A. Stories in Light family portrait experiences start at $345.00.

For further details on commissions and our creative fees call 416-319-0104 or have us call you by clicking here.

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Q. Do you create family portraits in your studio?

A. The Stories in Light studio was designed specifically for single-subject and couples portaiture. For groups of three or more, you may wish to consider inviting Stories in Light into your home or to an environment of significance to you. This will result in a portait that is more personal and unique from the local mall studio.

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Q. Do you do baby portraits?

A. Stories in Light welcomes the opportunity to photograph families with children 18-months and older. We have found that our interactive approach to family portraiture is better suited to children who have at least become comfortable with walking.

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Q. Do you create maternity portraits?

A. While our primary photographer (Andrew James Ferguson) has documented the birth journey of both his children, he is comfortable (and suspects most women are too) deferring to the wide selection of femaile photographers who specialize in this form of portraiture. Stories in Light, however, hopes you will keep us in mind as your children grow.

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Q. I have a big family, is there a maximum number of people that can be included?

A. There is no maximum to the number of participants that can be included in a family portrait with Stories in Light. With a bit of planning, an organized and successful session can be experienced by everyone.

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Q. When are you available?

A. From mid-April to mid-November, Stories in Light divides its weekends between wedding and family portrait commissions. If your family portrait plans are date sensitive (i.e. family reunions, children home from school etc.), we recommend discussing a suitable date with us as soon as possible.

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Q. How much time do we set aside for our family portrait?

A. Portrait sessions are scheduled in one or two-hour blocks. Stories in Light will help you determine which is best for you.

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Q. Can we bring our dog, cat etc.?

A. Absolutely. We recommend, however, you bring a leash / kennel so your pet is safe and secure during those moments when we're focusing on subjects of the two legged kind.

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Q. Will you give us tips on what to wear?

A. Every Stories in Light experience includes discussing in full detail all aspects of your session and creating a portrait plan, wardrobe is an important one we never miss.

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Q. When and how do we see our photographs after the session?

A. In approximately 3 to 5 days we will contact and invite you into our studio to preview your portraits. You may invite as many as 3 others to share the experience.

Previews are projected on a 56-inch screen, ensuring expressions are clearly seen.

Your preview consultation begins with a slideshow set to music. An un-timed preview follows with Stories in Light facilitating our unique selection process to help you identify, gift, and personal favorites. Your product order can then be placed while your selections are still fresh in your mind and guarantee the will be ready for you as soon as possible.

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Q. When will our finished portraits be ready?

A. Custom prints are ready within 2-3 weeks from date of order. Rush orders are available for an additional fee.

Custom framing is available to enhance all our print products with completion 2-4 weeks from date of frame selection.

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Q. Can you make us look better (i.e. younger, thinner etc.) in the final prints?

A. Your final print may indeed be best served by applying enhancements such as removal of blemishes, softening of complexion or lines, brightening of eyes / teeth etc.. The result may have you appearing younger or even a bit slimmer, but you will still look like you, and never plastic.

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Q. What happens if one of our family becomes sick or are unable to attend?

A. Please refer to our rescheduling / cancellation policy.

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Q. Do you offer the high-resolution files on a disc (i.e. digital negatives)?

A. Stories in Light is pleased to make available to you a high-resolution image disc of your family portrait session (some conditions apply).

For further details call 416-319-0104 or have us call you by clicking here.

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Q. Can you help us with framing?

A. All our print products can be enhanced with a selection of custom and pre-made frames of which we will be happy advise and guide you to the perfect fit.

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Q. Do you offer any specialty products?

A. Stories in Light introduces new innovations in presentation finishes regularly as well as making sure classic and timeless products are available to you as part of your portrait experience.

Please visit our current products page to be inspired.

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Q. How do I commission your services?

A. Once a preferred date has been identified, you can secure your session with a $100.00 retainer (non-refundable - see our reschedule / cancellation policy).

Your retainer is applied directly to the creative fee for your session.

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Q. What is your rescheduling / cancellation policy?

A. Your session date / time is secured with a $100.00 retainer (non-refundable). Should the session need to rescheduled due to reasons outside of anyone's control, we require 24-hrs notice (in the case of inclement weather, the decision to reschedule will be that of Stories in Light and made the day of the session). Your retainer to be applied to a new date (new date must be within 30-days of original session).

Should you decide to cancel, your retainer may be transferred to another individual if they book their session to take place within 30-days of your cancelled date.

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To arrange your Stories in Light family portrait experience call 416-319-0104 or have us call you by clicking here.