FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COMMON OBJECTIONS

The women on your website look like professional models, but I’m not one—how can I look that amazing?

Thank you! I take that as a compliment because the women in my photos are not models—they're incredible, everyday women just like you- home makers, moms, grandmas, doctors, lawyers, musicians, entrepreneurs. I have heard your concern before!  They once had the same thoughts, before their image appeared on my website.

What that says is that I can create beautiful images of any woman. You don't have to know what you are doing; all you have to do is show up. It is my job to guide you, and I will direct you every step of the way; from helping you prepare for your photoshoot with wardrobe tips and try-on sessions; to guiding every inch of your body through different poses so that you look your absolute best and come out looking like, well a model.

My job is to transform the way you see yourself and create stunning images that make you feel confident and beautiful. Let’s make magic together—book your session today!

I am not photogenic.  I am critical about my photos.  Can you make me look good?

Yes, I can absolutely make you look amazing! Photography is all about angles and lighting, and without the right guidance, it can sometimes distort features—but that’s where I come in. It’s not your job to be “photogenic” or know how to pose—that’s my job, and I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way. In reality, being photogenic just means feeling comfortable in front of the camera, and that’s exactly what I help you do. These sessions feel like a fun conversation with a friend, and by the end, you’ll not only have stunning images but also a whole new way of seeing yourself!

PRICING AND PAYMENT QUESTIONS

What can I expect to spend in a session with you?

Investment really depends on the kind of artwork you want to create. Our session fees and retainer is $500 (All of  which can be applied towards purchase of imagery that  is sold separately.

Every client has a different need.  Some clients want more digital files for corporate reasons, some want photo albums and some want to create wall collections.  At your image selection appointment, you choose your favorite(s) and the medium in which you want them delivered and purchase them at that time. There are clients who  spend $2000 and others who will spend $12000. Your balance is only based on the imagery you love and what we create together.

Individual artwork begins at $500 for a 5x7 printed, matted to 8x10, and mounted ready for framing and go up from there based on medium, size, and artwork.

Most people buy Image Collections that are 10, 20 and 30 images. They start at $2000 and go up from there.

Individual images are $500.

Wall Art starts at $650 and goes up depending on the size.

What does the $500 include?

It includes the photoshoot experience-

Design consultation via zoom.

Professional hair and makeup styling for one on the date of your photoshoot.

3-5 outfit changes and styling

Photo session in studio with Rachna (About 3 hrs)

Professional retouching of images

The Reveal- Image viewing and ordering session- where I guide you through your image selection

$500 credit applied toward purchase

Do you accept credit cards?

All forms of payment including all major credit cards are accepted.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

What are the next steps for booking?

1- Please fill the intake form and schedule a call for an initial consult.
2- During our call, we’ll get to know each other and chat about your vision for the shoot and what you’d love to achieve. Once I understand your needs, I’ll walk you through the process, pricing, and the collections available. If it feels like the right fit and you're excited to move forward, we’ll go ahead and schedule your photoshoot. I can't wait to create something beautiful with you!

3-To book your session, here’s what happens next:

Choose a date for your photoshoot.
Secure your spot by paying the session fee within 7 days of receiving the invoice—we get lots of inquiries, and this ensures your date is reserved.
Sign the contract, which outlines the studio’s process and policies.

Once these steps are completed, your session is officially booked, and we can start planning all the fun details!

4-Once your shoot date is secured-

You’ll receive helpful guides to prepare for your session.

We’ll schedule your pre-shoot wardrobe and design consultation on Zoom, which will take place 2 to 4 weeks before your photoshoot.

Then, all you have to do is show up ready to have fun—I’ll take care of the rest!

What is your turnaround time?

You will come back to view your images within a week to ten days after your photoshoot to select the images you want to purchase.  Once your imagery has been selected and paid for in full, digital imagery will be delivered within two weeks of receipt. Artwork, typically depending on the time of year, is delivered within 4-6 weeks from the completion of edits and digital delivery. Please note that holiday orders have earlier deadlines with our vendors to ensure quality.
When and how will I select my favorite mages from the shoot?

About a week to ten days weeks after your shoot, we’ll have your Reveal Appointment at the studio, where you’ll get to see your photos for the first time and select your favorites to purchase. We’ll go through all your images together, and I’ll be there to support you and help you narrow down your selections. Fair warning: choosing can be tough because you’re going to love so many! But don’t worry—that’s exactly why I’m here to guide you through the process.

What happens at an Image Reveal/ Selection appointment?

We do not provide Online Galleries: We take a personalized approach rather than offering online galleries.  Here is our process:

In-Person Selection Meeting:

• When? Within a week to 10 days post your session.

• Why? This is when you'll choose the artwork that best fits your needs and preferences.

Expert Guidance: We’ll walk you through the selection process, offering professional advice on the best products and helping you create impactful wall art collections.

Focused on You: Our goal is simple—you only purchase the images you truly love. Nothing more, nothing less.

A Personalized Experience: This approach ensures you receive top-tier service and leave with artwork that deeply resonates with you.

What is your cancellation policy?

Once your photo shoot has been scheduled, cancellations are accepted up to 14 days prior to your appointment. Here's what you need to know:

• Cancellations prior to 7 Days:

• No cancellation fee.  One rescheduling permitted.

• Cancellations within 7 Days:

• A $500 rescheduling fee.

• This policy ensures that we can compensate our stylists for the time they block off, as we do not accept any other business during your scheduled session.

• Emergencies:

• We understand that emergencies happen. In certain cases, we may choose to waive the rescheduling fee.

• Why This Policy?

• Having this policy helps to minimize last-minute cancellations, ensuring our team can manage their schedules effectively and provide the highest quality service to all our clients.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. This policy helps us maintain the high standards of service and care that our clients expect and deserve.

SESSION SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

What do you mean by a magazine-style of photoshoot?

This is your chance to experience a celebrity-style photoshoot designed just for you! We’ll pamper you with professional hair and makeup, plus 3-4 outfit changes to create a variety of stunning looks. Your favorite music will be playing in the background to get you in the groove and yes I will blow your hair with a fan!  Your session will feature different backdrops and my favorite lighting setups to match the vibe we want to capture. It’s the full luxury experience, just like a high-end magazine shoot. Get ready to feel glamorous, confident, and absolutely radiant!
Where will my photo session take place? Do you have a studio?

Absolutely! I have a beautiful 2,000-square-foot studio located on the East Hill of Tenafly in Bergen County, NJ, filled with gorgeous natural light. I have to take a moment to gush over the hardwood floors, crisp white walls, and soaring 16-foot ceilings—it’s a stunning space designed for a luxury experience. You’ll also have a private changing room with a dedicated vanity area, where you’ll be pampered with professional hair and makeup. It’s truly a dream setting for an unforgettable portrait session!

For Family Sessions in Spring and Fall, my guests enjoy outdoor sessions.  I do offer outdoor natural light sessions in various picturesque locations such as Central Park, Branch Brook Park, Overpack County Park and various hidden nooks within Tenafly!

Do your shoots include hair and makeup?

Yes! Every session includes professional hair and makeup by my amazing, highly skilled artist, who is certified and upholds the highest professional standards. This is a collaborative experience, where we can create anything from a soft, natural "no-makeup" look to full-on glam—it’s entirely up to you! Whatever your vision, we’ll make sure you look and feel absolutely stunning.
Do you offer Boudoir?

Boudoir is one genre we do not specialize in nor photograph.

Can I combine things?

Yes! Our most popular session is the Combo Shoot, designed to give you a variety of stunning images.

With 3-4 outfit changes, you can mix and match personal branding, contemporary portraits, fashion-inspired looks, or casual shots—whatever suits your style! You’re also welcome to bring your loved ones, whether it’s your mother, daughter, partner, or a group of friends for a fun girls' day out. There’s no extra cost to include them unless they’re getting professional hair and makeup, which comes with a small additional fee.

This is your session, fully customized to your vision, and you only purchase the images you truly love!

Which days of the week can I have my photo session?

We shoot Tuesday-Thursday and some Fridays.  Weekend Sessions are available for families.

What should I wear? What should I do to prepare?

One of the best parts of being a PBR client is that we provide everything you need to feel fully prepared for your session. Shortly after booking, you'll receive detailed prep guides covering how to get your face, body, and mindset ready, along with a complete list of beauty and wardrobe resources. Plus, we include wardrobe consultations as part of your session fee, ensuring you feel confident and relaxed before your shoot.

My goal is to provide an elevated experience, not just a quick photoshoot—expect a well-guided process with plenty of support along the way. We want you to feel completely at ease so you can enjoy every moment of this experience!

How much do you edit?

Capturing Your Beauty: My Approach as a Photographer and Artist

This session is all about celebrating you, and my goal is to capture the best version of yourself on your best day—naturally and beautifully. My editing style is minimal and refined, focusing on strategic posing and angles rather than heavy retouching. My rule of thumb: if it's permanent, it stays.

Many women ask about retouching stretch marks and wrinkles. While we truly believe these features are a beautiful part of your story, we also understand that some women may feel self-conscious about them. I do understand that some women prefer a softer look when it comes to wrinkles and stretch marks. Our standard skin-smoothing process gently reduces their appearance while keeping your images authentic.

My post-processing techniques are more focused on contrast, skin smoothing, sharpening, creative color choices or creating black and white images rather than body morphing. I will always correct anything that you mention you want to be corrected or anything that I think you would not like.

I also make subtle enhancements like brightening eyes, whitening teeth, smoothing skin, and taming flyaway hairs—ensuring you look radiant without altering what makes you YOU.

Do you photography families newborns and seniors?

Our specialization is in photographing women and the people they love. 

• Family Photography: we photograph a beauty session with Mom and bring the rest of the family in for the last 30- 45 minutes. We've found that kids can be distracted/ing for an hour long photo shoot and 30 minutes seems to be the sweet spot whether in the studio or on location. Let's start with some time to pamper you, Mom. We'll create beautiful portraits of and for you and then we can bring the family in for some lovely family photos too. (Available in- studio and on location).

• Senior Photography: YOU BETCHA! We love, love, LOVE shooting senior sessions! We can shoot in studio, on location or both! We'll highlight their loves and dreams and have a ball! This is a great opportunity to showcase their love of sports, dance, theatre, reading, chess you name it!

• Newborns Photography: Newborns are one genre we do not specialize in nor photograph. However we recommend the following Tenafly/ NJ Photographers to create WONDERFUL imagery for the new members of their families:

• Emily Burke Photography

• Diaria Kielek Photography

• Marta Chodur Photography

How far in advance should I schedule my session?

That really is dependent on the time of year however you can expect at LEAST a 3 week window from your time of inquiry to your photo session at a minimum.

PRODUCT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Why do you sell printed photographs? Do I get digital files too?

When you purchase your images at the Reveal & Ordering Session (which happens 2-3 weeks after your shoot), you’ll receive both prints and the corresponding digital files of the ones you select. For example, if we show you 40 images and you choose 10 to purchase, you’ll get those 10 in both print and digital form. Your digital files will be delivered once payment is complete, and we’ll begin preparing your printed products. When they’re ready, you can pick them up in person or have them mailed to you—whichever you prefer.

You only buy what you love, and I’ll be there to help you narrow down your selections. In addition to prints, we also offer wall art if you’d love to display your portraits in your home. I believe that prints and wall art complete the experience, turning your memories into timeless pieces of art.

Photography is more than just images—it’s evidence that we exist and a legacy that gets passed down through generations. When life happens, the first thing we look for is photographs of our loved ones. That’s why prints matter—they last forever, and I want my clients to exist in print, not just on a screen.

How many times have you saved digital photos on your phone or computer and never really printed them? With the JHP experience, your favorite portraits are printed in the highest quality, protected in a luxurious handmade leather box from Italy, and you’ll also receive the matching digital files.

📌 Note: For personal branding sessions, only digital files are provided since these images are designed for business use—there’s no need for a print version.

What types of products do you offer?

Every purchase is accompanied with a corresponding digital file in the same size.  For example- if you buy a matted print in 11x14, you will receive the corresponding digital file in 11x 14.

📌 Mounted Fine Art Prints – Beautifully printed portraits mounted for longevity and ready to be displayed.

📌 Matted Enlargements – High-quality prints, professionally matted and ready for framing.

📌 Metal Prints – The sleek surface represents an incredible substrate where colors are infused by sublimation, creating a vibrant, dramatic result. Encapsulated in the aluminum plate, this printing technology produces the most durable, anti-scratch, water-proof solution for home decór.

📌 Acrylic Prints – Vibrant colors and breathtaking details. Our ultra-transparent acrylic panels ensure total print accuracy from your files. No enhancements or adjustments. Just precise color management for a flawless and long-lasting fine art print under the acrylic layer.

📌 Canvas Prints – A classic at its best. Through print quality and mounting precision, our Canvas Prints gets the best out of technology without sacrificing clean design.  Archival certified 12 colour printing, cotton canvas and an exclusive anti-glare “Touch” finishing are all assembled on a non-deformable planar element. This canvas will never collapse, get loose or bulge and it is protected by the Touch finishing, offering an amazing combination of design and heritage.

📌 Wall Art sizes start at 11x14 and go up from there.

Will I get digital images?

Yes! Every image you purchase includes both a print and the matching digital file.

For branding sessions, images are digital-only. However, for all other sessions, you’ll receive professionally matted prints along with their corresponding digital files for the images you choose to purchase.

For example, if you purchase a collection of 5 images at 5x7 and an acrylic print at 16x24, you will receive:

1. Digital Files for Purchased Prints:

• 5 images sized to 5x7.

1. Digital File for Canvas:

• The file for your canvas sized at 16x24.

These digital copies allow you to enjoy your images in various formats, ensuring you have both high-quality prints and digital versions for sharing online.

Do you keep the digital files? Can we order prints or products later?

I love my artwork, and while I would love to say that I keep every file from every client, we simply do not. What we love, we print. We enjoy seeing our artwork tangibly, holding it in our hands, and displaying it on our walls. Two weeks following your reveal and ordering session, any un-purchased images are deleted from our archives.

Will you use my images on your website/blog/portfolio?

I would absolutely love to share images from our session to inspire other women with your stunning portraits! That said, I completely understand if you prefer to keep them private. Your comfort is my priority, and I will respect whatever level of privacy you choose. Many clients feel so proud of their images that they give me full discretion to select photos for my portfolio, but the choice is entirely yours. Just let me know your preference, and I’ll honor it!

If you have ANY other questions that I did not address here, please e-mail us at photographybyrachna@gmail.com