How do I get started?
Contact Mark Mortensen Photography at your convenience via phone or email. We can help you determine what type of photography you need for your family or wedding. We can clarify any questions you may have about attire, timeframe, pricing, framing, location etc. If you leave a message, we are usually able to respond to phone calls and emails the same day.
What should my family wear to the shoot?
This is a great question. We recommend casual clothing for your portrait session. If the portraits are outdoors, then select clothing that reflects the season. Avoid character based clothing for children and clothing with logos or brand names for everyone else. Think about colors of clothing that are similar. If one person is in white and everyone else is in black, attention is drawn to the person in white instead of seeing the group as a whole. Avoid busy patterns and bright colors as they tend to distract from your faces, whereas solid and dark colors create a richer look. For family portraits, the more similarly everyone is dressed, the less distraction there will be in the final photo. Keep in mind that the most important parts of the portrait are your faces and expressions. Your clothes should be flattering but inconspicuous and not distract from the focus.
What happens during a portrait shoot?
Relax and expect to have some fun during the session! We’ll spend some time getting to know each individual. Our studio has a dressing room/bathroom with full sized mirrors, so you can change outfits or freshen up as needed. Depending on the size of the group, there may be various combinations of people in each photograph. If this is the case with your family, expect to participate in some photos and watch from the sidelines for others. You can expect to be at the studio from 1-3 hours depending on the size of the group and the number of combinations.
When can we see the pictures?
After the portrait session we take 7-10 days to prepare your photos for a Show-n-Tell Session. The Show-n-Tell Session is an ordering session where you will order prints and other products from your portrait session. The viewing takes place at my studio where you’ll be presented with the artists picks from the session.
We are looking into photographers for our wedding. There are so many! What’s the best way to compare photographers?
This can feel overwhelming at first, but you can eliminate many photographers immediately by taking a quick look at their portfolios. If the style or quality of photographs does not meet your standards or match the style you want, you can move on. We recommend a face-to-face meeting with any photographer you are considering for such an important event. You should feel confident in his/her expertise and comfortable in his/her presence. The photographer should find out what your needs and expectations are for the big day and provide you with a written contract that you can compare with others at your leisure.
How long will it take to receive our photos after ordering?
Delivery of the final products usually takes about 7-10 days after you place your order. All of our products are printed at a professional lab to ensure the highest quality.
What are your payment options?
Credit cards, personal checks and cash are all accepted. Payment in full is required prior to releasing the final products.
Do you offer product options other than just prints?
Yes, there are several other products that can be created with your images. I offer gallery wrapped canvas prints, coffee table albums, greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, calendars and wall clings.
Do you have portrait packages?
Yes, I offer portrait packages for my portrait and senior sessions. These packages offer discounts from the standard pricing.