Frequently Asked Questions

Drape, tux, cap, gown and tassels are provided for your session

These Q&A pertain to Senior Portraits.

Yearbook Deadlines

Have Other Questions? Contact Us »

What is a session?

A session is time spent with the photographer. We offer different session types that determine the number of outfits, amount of time required and the cost of your session, which includes processing the yearbook image.

Did I order portraits with my session payment?

Portraits are not included in your session fee.  You may purchase portraits upon receiving the online previews and ordering information.

What are Bonus Previews?

Bonus Previews allow you to view all of the poses photographed in your session. Note: The number of additional poses varies depending on the session choice.

Will my Portraits be retouched?

Yes! Our standard retouching is included for any poses that are ordered or selected for the yearbook. Standard retouching includes color correcting and minor facial blemishes.

What is special retouching?

For an additional charge per pose, special retouching  can be used for: unruly hair (including unruly curls/flyways and reflection on hair), shine on face, body acne, mole removal, tattoo removal, adjusting clothing, braces, eyeglass glare, tan lines, and other concerns not covered by standard retouching.  

Special retouching is not available for sunburn or facial hair. Other limitations do apply.  Please call us for a quote or to discuss specific concerns.

What should I wear to my senior portrait session?

Drape:
-Please wear/bring a tube top or tank top to be worn under your drape.
-Avoid tan lines.
-We recommend not trying new make-up or a new hairstyle for your session.
-Manicured nails look best.

Tux:
-Please bring/wear a plain white t-shirt. Collared shirts are discouraged.
-We recommend not wearing a hat the day of your session.
-Shaving prior to your session is advised. A 5 o’clock shadow can not be removed.

Personal Outfit:
We encourage you to bring your favorite outfit, athletic uniform or Letterman jacket, personal props such as musical instruments, sports balls, ice skates, etc. Be sure to avoid clothing that is too tight, extremely loose fitting or any clothing with emblems or loud patterns.

I only want a portrait taken for the yearbook. Do I have to pay a session fee?

We do offer a Yearbook Only (YBO) option. One image is taken and we send it straight to the school. You will not be provided multiple online previews, as with a session fee, to choose the yearbook pose yourself. There is no sitting fee associated with this option. To book a YBO, call us at (925)485-6025.

After my session

How do I view my images?

About 3 days after your appointment you will receive an email providing you with a link to access your account. This is where you can view and order the portraits. It is also where you select a yearbook pose. Standard retouching will be applied to the pose(s) you order and the image you select for your yearbook. If you need assistance with ordering, you may call and schedule an ordering appointment in our Pleasanton studio.

Can I get printed previews instead of viewing them online?

We have gone green, which means all ordering is done online and we no longer print the previews on paper.

Are my previews retouched?

No! Previews are not retouched, color corrected or cropped. Our standard retouching is included for any poses that are ordered or selected for the yearbook.
We recommend choosing the best pose based on expression and not on lightness, darkness or color correction.

Can I select a yearbook image without placing an order yet?

Yes! We encourage you to select a yearbook image as soon as you receive the email. Once you select and save the image of your choice, we will receive your selection and provide it to your school. Please be aware of your school’s yearbook deadline. You have until June1st of your graduating year to place an order.

What happens if I don’t select a yearbook pose before the deadline?

If a yearbook selection is not chosen by the deadline one of our experienced staff members will choose one for you to ensure you will still make it into the yearbook.  

How do I select my yearbook pose?

To make a yearbook selection, start by logging into your account. You will be brought to a page displaying your images.

In the bottom left corner click on the red "Yearbook Selection" button. Choose an image that meets your school yearbook requirement attire. The attire required, along with the submission due date will be listed.

After clicking on your yearbook choice, it will be displayed as the Primary Pose and also be highlighted in green with a check mark. At the bottom right, click on the green "Save " button to retain this image.

You will be shown a brief message stating that the image has been saved. If you would like to see which image number has been selected at a later time, you may sign into your account and find the image highlighted in green with the check mark. The image number will be provided below.

You have the option of changing your yearbook selection, up until the due date listed.

 If you are only making your yearbook selection, the process is complete. We will submit your retouched yearbook choice to the yearbook staff.

Frequently Asked Questions-Ordering Portraits

How can I place my senior portrait order?

Ordering is done online through the link that is sent to your email after your senior portrait appointment. You are also welcome to schedule an ordering appointment in our Pleasanton studio with assistance from an associate. Please call us at 925-485-6025 to schedule an appointment.

What is the Senior Portrait pricing?

Please click here for our senior portrait price list.

Can I order portraits from a previous year?

We do archive portraits from prior years. Please reach out to us with the graduating year and your student’s first and last name. We will then check our archived database to make sure we have those images. If we are able to locate them, there is an archive retrieval fee of $30 to bring them to the current database. This payment can be taken over the phone. About a week after making the payment, you will receive an email with information on how to order online.

Do I need an appointment to place my order in the studio?

Scheduling an appointment is encouraged so we can have an associate available to assist you. Please call us at 925-485-6025 to schedule an appointment.

Can I add additional poses to my package?

Each package includes a set amount of poses. If you choose to add an additional pose to a package, an additional pose charge of $20 will be applied for every additional pose.  This will allow you to divide the sheets within your package between more poses. It does NOT give you extra sheets within the package.

How do I locate a pose number?

After logging in to the ordering website, you will locate the pose number under each image. The pose number is found below the image.

What is Luster with linen texture?

Our Luster finish provides a high quality, brilliant color to your portraits and the professional fine linen texture is similar to the texture of linen material. This is a formal finish for these cherished portraits.

When will I receive my order?

Processing time is dependent upon the season. Contact our studio accurate completion time.

Shipping & Handling Fees

Our $10 shipping & handling fee covers packaging the product(s), postage, time, and resources for safe and reliable handling and shipping of portraits. Some specialty items cannot be shipped due to their fragile nature.

Can I rush my order?

Rush fees can be added for an additional cost. By paying the fee, we are able to guarantee the order within the specified time. A one week rush is $95. Rush fees can be added by calling our Pleasanton studio at 925-485-6025.

Will my portraits be retouched?

Yes! Our standard retouching, which corrects minor facial blemishes and color corrects the portraits, is included for any poses that are ordered or selected for the yearbook.

What is a pose?

A pose is a single image that you select to be printed.  Only one pose can be printed per sheet (i.e. 2-5x7’s cannot be split into two poses, as it comes printed on one sheet).

What is a pose number?

A pose number is used to identify a photo on the previews.

What is a sheet?

Portraits are printed in sheets. Only one pose is printed per sheet. One sheet equals: 1-8x10 or 2-5x7 or 4-4x5 or 8 wallets.

What size is a wallet photo?

Our standard wallet sized photo is 2x3.

Do you offer Digital Downloads?

We do offer high resolution digital downloads that come with an authorization to reproduce. You may purchase A la Carte digital images and many of our packages include digital images. Standard retouching is included with each pose. Delivery of images is not immediate.

What is a mounted portrait?

A mounted portrait is a sheet that is 11x14, 16x20, and 20x24. Due to the fragile nature of the photo paper at larger sizes, the portraits are mounted on a 2mm mount board for stability. Mounted images are still able to be framed.

Can I purchase portraits “A La Carte,” instead of a package?

Certainly! Please see our A La Carte Portrait prices on our order brochure here.