Where are you located?
I have a private studio located below my home in La Mesa, Ca
Do you offer on-location and studio portraits?
Yes, I have been classically trained in studio lighting and on-location portrait work.
Can you tell me your pricing?
Session fees begin at $200 and up.
Portrait prints begin at $60 and up.
Digital packages start at $350 and up.
Wall portraits and packages start at $500 and up.
How do I reserve a session?
Please email our studio at studiocarlaportraits@gmail.
Include your name, and what you are looking to hire us to do. When you are hoping to schedule a good time and phone number to reach you.
Do you offer discounts?
We do offer specials at various times of the year. We recommend signing up for our newsletter to be up to date with our specials and offers during the year.
How long have you been a photographer?
I was classically trained as a photographer in college.
Yearly, I continue my education in photography by taking courses to further my skills.
I have been in business in San Diego, Ca. for 31 years.
Do you have clothing and props for newborns?
Yes, we do have a collection of items that we like to use during our time with you. Let us know the color and nursery theme and we can show you what we have.
For special requests please let us know ahead of time.
How long are your sessions?
We do not typically have a stop time unless we are running over time. We tend to work until we feel we have accomplished the very best of the session. Sessions may take more or less time.
Newborn- approximately 3 hours
Family- approximately one hour
Maternity- approximately one hour
Children- approximately 30-60 minutes depending on age and type of session.
My newborn has a scratch and baby acne, should I reschedule?
No, basic retouching is included. For more extensive retouching, head swaps, color changes, and removing a tattoo on you, there may be extra charges.
When will I see my photos?
Your session will be ready within 14days of your session. I recommend scheduling your viewing session before the session date.
How many pictures do I get?
This depends on the package you purchased. Sessions do not include any photos unless you purchased a digital package.
Do you give Raw images?
No. we do not give Raw images.
Can I have the original images?
No, we do not give original images
What if I do not want retouching?
During your ordering session, we show "soft proofing" which means your images have not been retouched. You select your favorite number of images from the package you selected and the level of retouching you desire.
Can I bring my dog to the session?
Yes, I am an animal lover, so as long as the dog is well-behaved you may bring your dog to the session. This can be very stressful for some animals. The new location with scents and other animal tracks can make them feel threatened or afraid. Only you know your pet and what they can do. We cannot guarantee your dog will sit and look at the camera. Please know that some on-location areas do not allow dogs so please talk with me about this when booking the session.
How long does it take to receive an order?
Many factors are involved in the turnaround time.
Depending on what you have ordered, most things take about 2-3 weeks, however, retouching adds a week.
We will give you an estimate at your ordering session.
Can I order more pictures later?
Yes, of course.
We can only guarantee holding images for 30 days, however, we do have backups and can usually go back a bit longer. My best suggestion is to do as much as you can now. Most of the time ordering now allows you to check it off the list.
If you order after 6 months there is a $50 storage fee to locate the images.
I love the baby's first birthday cake smashes do you offer those?
Yes, we call them "Babycakes" sessions. You bring the cake and balloons. We love to work with you to make a creative set, be sure to plan ahead of time with us.
Do you work with children?
Yes, I am a mother of 4 and I have always been around babies and children. I love to work with them and have a blast doing it!
Are hair and makeup included?
It is not included but recommended. My high school senior sessions love this service. I can try to arrange the service for you if we have plenty of notice.
You can have the services done at my studio or your location.
I have pre-booked my newborn session now what? What if my baby comes early or late?
Please email or call the studio within 24-48 hours of giving birth. Most babies are booked within the first 5-7 days of birth. Letting us know when you have had your baby right after allows us time for rescheduling and making adjustments to our schedule.
I missed newborn photography and now my baby is 2 months old do you still take them?
We do photograph babies of any age. Even though your baby is not a newborn you can still book a session. Please keep in mind that your baby will not be able to do newborn poses or wraps and they usually are awake.
I saw your baby album they are beautiful. How many photos do I get to use?
The albums are custom and we work together to select the images and layout. We generally say 12-15 images. This can be more or less depending on the way we layout your book. It is our most ordered and cherished keepsake. You will love it!
We want to do an extended family session do we pay more?
Yes, we do extended family sessions. Because there are additional people, we need to a lot time to photograph all of the families. There is an additional charge of $100 to add extended families to the regular-priced session. The ordering and packages are the same.
Can I take pictures with my cell phone during the session?
We prefer that you do not take photos during your session as it becomes distracting for the person getting their portrait made as well as adding additional time to getting the session done. We want this to be an enjoyable time so we ask that you keep your phones tucked away.