Hello you beautiful big hearted person

Scroll down for all the details on how to book and plan a memorable photo session

Step One: Schedule your session

In order to schedule your session you’ll need to sign some paperwork and pay the session fee of $280. The easiest way to get a date on the books is for you to email or call me with a few dates that work for your family.

The session fee covers the cost of my time preparing for, photographing and editing the photo session. The session fee is a non refundable retainer to reserve your photo shoot. Afterwards, you’ll be able to choose your digital and print collection. These range from $700-1100 (I’ve got allll the details on those further down)

  • Weekend dates are limited and very popular so if are only available on weekends I recommend you reserve your date as soon as you can.

  • Because of the gorgeous colors and weather, fall and spring are the most popular times for outdoor photo sessions in Virginia and North Carolina. If you’d like to book a session during those seasons be sure to send me some dates as soon as possible.

  • If you need print products by a certain date (Father’s day, Christmas, Valentines day, etc) try to schedule your session at least 6 weeks ahead of that date to ensure sufficient processing and printing time.

  • Babies and young children are almost universally their happiest first thing in the morning, which happens to be when light is prettiest outside. If you have kids under 5 I encourage you to consider a session as close to sunrise as you can reasonably be ready.

  • If you have older kids or mornings are just not your thing the other great option for light is late afternoon/early evening, about 1.5 ish hours before sunset

  • Beautiful photographs can be made in any kind of weather, but I understand that there are some downsides to being photographed in the pouring rain or the freezing cold. I can and do reschedule sessions for inclement weather, but am also happy to use your home or find a semi-indoor location if sticking to the schedule is a priority.

family walking through field Black and white

Step Two: Prepare

Once you are officially booked we will begin planning your photo session.Together we will choose a location. I’ll also send you my detailed prep guide which goes over everything from wardrobe selection to prepping everyone involved and it covers 90% of the Qs that come up. Of course I’m always happy to talk over the phone if you have questions leading up to the big day.

I want your photo session to feel like a reflection of you and your people. For this reason I do give you a little homework:

  • I’ll send you a questionnaire. This helps me to get to know you and those in your photo session a little better, and gives you a chance to share about your desires and expectations.

  • I'll also create a private Pinterest board for you. This is a place for you to add photos you find inspiring and delightful. This helps me to get a sense of your aesthetic.

  • Outdoor sessions

    Together we choose a park or other beautiful location in the Cville, RVA, or Charlotte areas. These sessions are flexible and fun. Ideally these take place in the morning or early evening (think that gorgeous golden hour light).

    Perfect for families, couples, and individuals.

    woman looking over shoulder in golden light

  • In home sessions

    Lifestyle sessions that take place in your natural environment. Intimate and relaxed, we go with the flow of your families routine and capture the magic that comes in the everyday moments.

    Ideal for newborn, motherhood, and family sessions.

    father holding baby at window

  • Adventure Sessions

    These sessions were born out of my love of hiking with my family and the many memories we've made in Blue Ridge Mountains. Together we'll take a short (30-45ish minute) hike to a cliff or overlook near the Blue Ridge Parkway or in Shenandoah National Park. I'll document the hike and we'll take portraits at the end with the mountain vista in the background. Limited availability

Step Three: Your Photoshoot!

I’ll touch base in the days leading up to your photo session to go over any last minute details such as weather, and to be sure everyone is feeling well.

The day of the session please block off 2-2.5 hours of time. I don’t charge by the hour and this gives us plenty of wiggle room in case there is a cranky kid (or grownup lol) or some kind of wardrobe malfunction. Typically though we wrap up in 60-90 minutes. If one member of the group needs to leave a little early be sure to let me know ahead of time so I can get them in the frame as much as possible before they go.

During your session I'll offer guidance on posing and leave plenty of time for the impromptu, candid moments that we all love. We are here to celebrate you and your connection with those you love the most. Your job is to show up with an open heart and to be fully present so that you and your loved ones can enjoy this time together.

Finally, take a breath and relax... I promise to give the everyone breaks throughout the session as needed, and to make it as painless as possible for everyone involve.

Step Four: The fun part

Within a few weeks after your session you’ll receive an email from me letting you know that your photos are ready and an invitation to view a slideshow of all your photos set to music. Once you've had a chance to see them and marvel for a bit, you'll let me know which collection you want to purchase. After that, you'll have a full month to select the specific digital files and print items you want to use to fill that collection. If you need help choosing print products I’d love to help (I love having custom art of my family in my home so I’m happy to help you choose!)

With each photo session, I deliver a minimum of fifty photos with a mix of both black and white, and color.

Collection 1 - $700

  • Your choice of 10 high resolution digital files with print release

  • $100 print credit towards anything in the gallery store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.

Collection 2- $900

  • Your choice of 25 high resolution digital files with print release

  • $300 print credit towards anything in the gallery store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.

Collection 3 - $1100

  • A complete set of high resolution digital files (min of 50) with print release

  • $600 print credit towards anything in the gallery store: prints, frames, albums, digital files, etc.

What you’ll do with your images is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when you're planning for a photo session, but it's all too often the something that's overlooked. All that time and money invested deserve a better return than photos gathering dust on a hard drive somewhere. You'll never get the same feeling looking at your photos on a screen as you will seeing them on your wall or flipping through the pages of an album. This is why include a substantial print credit with every collection. Below is a sample of some of the items you can choose among:

  • fine art deckled edge art print

    Deckled Edge Fine Art Print

    Hand-torn prints that are truly unique with a rich and textured finish. Each print is carefully torn to create a soft feathered edge. Printed on 100% Cotton, Bright Rag fine art paper (290gsm), using high-quality archival inks for incredible color clarity and quality.

    8x10 - $100

    11x14 - $130

    16x20 - $200

  • Stack of professional prints

    Professional Lab Prints

    Your favorite prints are professionally printed on archival paper in a deep matte finish showcasing vibrant and true colors. These are available in a variety of sizes and are perfect or framing and hanging on a wall or giving as a special gift.

    4x6, 5x7, 8x10 - $20

    11x14 - $40

    16x20 - $80

  • Twelve Month Calendar

    These calendars are a fun way to display your favorite photos all year long. Calendars are printed on thick matte paper (200gsm) that display a subtle watercolor texture, and are fastened to a beautiful bamboo board with a magnet backing or on a wooden stand.

    6x9 - $100

  • Photo of a dune in a frame

    Framed Prints

    Beautiful hardwood frames are the perfect way to display your images for everyone to enjoy. They come with with or without a matte (image above has no matte) in your choice of black, white, dark wood, or light wood and come ready to hang with all necessary hardware.

    11x14 (external measurement) - $300

    16x20 (external measurement) - $400

    20x24 (external measurement) - $500

  • photo of linen folios with two pictures

    Linen folios

    Printed on luxurious Deep Matte photo paper and finished with a beveled white mat, these elegant folios include two or three sealed prints and are available in a variety of linens.

    6x8 duo or trio - $300

  • Photo of linen photo album

    Linen Lay-Flat Albums

    These premium albums are printed on high-end matte paper bound together with thick pages for seamless lay flat spreads. With many options for payout and design, these albums can be further customized with your choice of linen covers and custom foiled letters.

    10 spreads (20 pages ) are included in the prices below. Additional spreads (1 spread = 2 pages) can be added for $20 each.

    8x8 - $300

    10x10 - $350

    12x12 - $400

“My husband and I have loved working with Alyce over the years. She is truly an artist and has the ability to capture our essence in such a unique and beautiful way. She has worked with us seamlessly in different contexts; we have hired her to take photos of our wedding, our music projects, our family, and in each the photos she delivered have been beyond my expectations. I really appreciate how patient she is with our kids, and that she gives us instructions to help us to relax in front of the camera, so that we really look like ourselves.” 

- Sarah