If you are planning a session and have questions about how everything works, you are in the right place. This photography session FAQ covers some of the most common things clients ask before booking with Ahnvee Photography, from retainers and travel to weather, timing, proofing, and photo delivery.
Based in Lafayette and serving clients across Louisiana, Ahnvee Photography is built around a guided, thoughtful experience from start to finish. Our goal is for you to feel prepared, comfortable, and confident going into your session, not like you are piecing everything together alone.
How Do I Book My Session?
Booking your session starts with reaching out through our contact page. Once we go over pricing, packages, inclusions, and add-ons, we will help you choose the option that fits your vision best.
After that, a digital contract and retainer invoice are sent your way. Your date is officially reserved as soon as both are completed.
What Is a Retainer, and Why Is It Non-Refundable?
A retainer is the non-refundable payment that secures your session date on our calendar. It goes toward your total session cost and confirms that your spot is reserved.
It is non-refundable because once your date is booked, that availability is no longer offered to someone else. It also helps cover the planning and preparation that begins before the session even happens.
What Is Your Photography Style?
Our photography style is creative, candid, and bold. We blend artistic photojournalism with fine art editorial so your gallery feels both natural and intentionally styled.
That means we love capturing authentic emotion and real connection, but we also guide with purpose when needed. The result is a collection of images that feels expressive, polished, and true to color while still carrying the bold Ahnvee look.
You can view our award-winning gallery to get a better feel for the style.
Do You Retouch the Images?
Yes, every chosen image is retouched. Our approach is light, polished, and natural rather than heavy-handed or overly altered.
Typical edits may include skin smoothing, evening out tone, eye enhancement, hair cleanup when needed, and small refinements that help the image feel finished without making you look unlike yourself. The goal is always to enhance, not drastically change.
Why Can’t We Schedule Our Session Earlier in the Day?
The most flattering natural light usually happens closer to sunrise or in the 1 to 2 hours before sunset. That is when the light is softer, more even, and more flattering on the face.
Earlier daylight can create harsh shadows, bright highlights, and uneven skin tones that are harder to work with. When ideal timing is not possible, we can still create beautiful images, but it may require a little more time, more planning, or an indoor option.
What Happens If It Rains on the Day of the Session?
If the weather does not cooperate, we have a few options. Depending on the type of session and your preferences, we may move indoors, lean into the weather creatively, or reschedule.
Sometimes rain can create a dramatic or romantic atmosphere. Other times, it makes more sense to move the date. If weather is the reason for rescheduling, there is no fee to do so.
When Will We Receive Our Photos?
Galleries are edited in the order sessions are photographed, and timing depends on the season, editing queue, and the level of retouching your chosen images need.
We guarantee delivery within 4 weeks of your proofing selection. Rush editing is also available for an additional fee of $100.00 if you need a faster turnaround.
Do You Travel for Sessions?
Yes, absolutely. We love traveling for sessions and photographing in new places.
Portrait sessions within 25 miles of Lafayette do not include an additional travel fee. For locations beyond that range, travel is billed at $1.50 per mile.
You can explore some of our favorite session locations here.
Can Family or Friends Take Photos During the Session?
No, we do not allow guests to take photos during the session. Doing so creates distractions, can interfere with the flow of the experience, and also conflicts with the copyright terms in our contract.
The best sessions happen when you can stay fully present instead of feeling like you are being photographed from every angle by a little paparazzi side quest.
Can We Purchase Prints, Albums, and Other Products?
Yes. High-quality prints and products are available directly through your gallery using a professional lab we trust.
That makes it easier to order prints, albums, and other keepsakes without having to guess at quality. We want your images to look as beautiful in print as they do on screen.
You can learn more about that process in our post comparing print labs.
Who Chooses the Final Edited Images?
You do. After your session, you will receive an online proofing gallery of unedited images. From there, you will select the number of photos included in your package for final editing and delivery.
Additional images can also be purchased beyond what is included. Every image you choose receives the full Ahnvee editing treatment before delivery.
How Many Poses Are Done in a Session?
There is not a fixed number of poses because every session flows differently. Our goal is to create variety so your proofing gallery gives you plenty of strong options to choose from.
That usually means a mix of movement, prompts, candid moments, and more guided posing depending on the type of session and what fits you best.
Does Session Time Include Outfit Changes, Travel, Consultations, or Getting Ready?
The session time listed in a package refers to photography time, not the full experience surrounding it.
Some locations require more walking or driving than others, and outfit changes can also affect the total time needed. Because of that, we usually finalize start time and pacing after consultation so the experience feels realistic and not rushed.
Do You Have a List of Preferred Locations for Photoshoots?
Yes. We have put together a list of favorite locations to help clients narrow down options more easily.
You can view those here, and if you are not sure what best fits your vision, we will help guide you during the consultation based on your aesthetic, goals, and budget.
Do You Offer Mini Sessions?
We do not offer traditional mini sessions in the usual back-to-back, one-day format. That structure does not fit the way we work or the kind of experience we want to create for our clients.
Instead, we offer a smaller package that is more affordable without sacrificing the experience, creativity, or attention we bring to every session.
Still Have Questions?
Every session is a little different, and sometimes the best answers come once we know more about your vision. If you are ready to talk through options, ask questions, or start planning, we would love to help.
Reach out through our contact page and let’s get your session on the books.