frequently asked questions

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive at the studio no less than 5-10 minutes before the start of your session. In order to provide a full 30 minute photo shoot, everyone needs to be present, dressed, and ready to begin at their scheduled start time. Failure to arrive on time may cut into the amount of photos we are able to take. Please allow extra time for parking during the holiday season!

How should everyone dress?

Don’t feel pressured to match perfectly! While identical colors can look great, as long as everyone is dressed to the same standard (formal, casual, holiday sweaters, etc.) then you are good to go. We always have neutral backgrounds and can find a good match for any color. There is no right or wrong answer!

Do you allow pets in sessions?

We do offer pet photography sessions. As a courtesy to all of our clients, we book pet sessions either as the first or last appointment of the day.

Do you do cake smash photos for one year birthdays?

Yes! We love celebrating birthdays with a cake smash. Please note that Portrait Simple does not provide the cake, or the outfits. We have lots of birthday props and can provide everything else required. We like to do traditional birthday photos first, and save the cake for the end of the session.

Do you offer makeup or hairstyling?

No. If you would like to have makeup or hair done for your family pictures, please make other arrangements beforehand.

Can I bring in props of my own?

Absolutely! In fact, we strongly suggest bringing in any special items that are unique to your family’s personality.

How many changes of outfits can I bring for our family pictures?

We recommend 1-2 changes depending on the moods of the subjects. Start in your favorite outfit just in case we don’t have time in our 30-minute session to do a change. If you are bringing in a baby, we also recommend bringing in a diaper cover.

How soon do I get my photos?

Print sizes 8×10 and smaller, as well as digital files, and desktop collages are printed in studio and available the same day as your session. Larger products (enlargements, framed prints, canvas wraps, etc.) are produced at our lab and are ready in approximately two weeks.

Do you do passports?

Yes. We offer American and Canadian passports. (However, we do not provide Canadian citizenship photos).

I have a large group. Can you accommodate us?

Almost always! For groups of eight or more, we book you for an hour of camera room time, as opposed to our regular 30 minute sessions. This ensures that we can get great shots of all families, individuals, couples, etc. For more information, and to be sure that we can accommodate your party, please contact your local studio.

I loved the photographer I had at my last session, can I request them again?

Absolutely! We always try to accommodate requests for specific photographers. If you request your favorite photographer for a future date we can usually make it happen, but if something changes we will contact you immediately so that we can find a time that words for everyone.

Should I tip my photographer?

If you feel that your photographer did a great job and would like to give them a tip, you are more than welcome to do so.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes! Please click here.

Where can I get information about your pricing?

To receive more detailed pricing information, please contact customer service or call your local photo studio.

What if I need to cancel my appointment? Do you charge a fee?

No, we do not charge a cancellation fee. We understand that kids can be unpredictable and sometimes things change. We ask that you try to give us 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment to allow us to contact other families on our waiting list. We will be happy to reschedule your session to a more convenient day and time.