Frequently Asked Questions

We offer beauty, boudoir, family, headshots, and personal branding.

Your photo session will take place at my studio in Clinton, CT. Coming in the Spring of 2024, we will begin offering outdoor beach sessions as a second add-on location to your studio shoot, or on its own.

We typically book out at least 1-2 months. Occasionally, we have a date that opens up last minute and if that fits your schedule, you can sometimes grab it at a discount!

Photoshoots typically last about 4 hrs:

wardrobe unpacking and selection - 15-20 min

Hair and Makeup - 1 hr

fully guided photoshoot - 1.5-2 hrs

same day ordering appointment - 30min-1 hr

Our photoshoots are custom tailored to your needs. Please contact us to discuss.

Included in your session fee is a 1 hr in person consultation at the studio where we discuss wardrobe, hair and makeup and how you dream of being photographed. This consultation is held in person at my studio in Clinton, CT. In cases where client lives more than an hour away, a zoom consultation may be requested.

At your 1 hr consultation, we will discuss how you want to be photographed, including hair and makeup as well as wardrobe selections.

Wardrobe: Kelley will give you guidelines for how to choose the best outfits you may already own. We also have a studio wardrobe which you can look through at the consultation. Borrowing from the studio wardrobe is complimentary and many women find something fun and different to wear. Kelley is always available to communicate via text if you would like to send pictures of items in your closet ahead of your shoot. You can also buy something new or rent from places like Rent the Runway

Jewelry: The studio has a limited amount of jewelry, so please plan to bring your own. We also accept donations if you have some pieces you don’t wear anymore.

Shoes: If you love shoes, bring your best ones! We sometimes shoot barefoot, but also work in some awesome heels or boots depending on the outfit choice.

Accessories: hats, scarves, gloves, etc are fun to play with so bring them along if it suits the outfit or mood of the look.

Absolutely! Your 1 hr consultation takes place in person at the studio at about 2 weeks prior to your shoot date. We will look at images for inspiration, as well as discuss how you dream of being photographed. Hair and makeup preferences as well as aesthetic will be planned in advance.

We specialized in hand crafted albums with your choice of either a beautiful acrylic cover or solid leather wrap. Vegan Leather is available as well.

If you prefer to have your prints matted, you will have either a solid wood box with acrylic window cover to display and change out your favorite image, or our classic black box with bow to keep your images safe.

Looking for wall art? We have gorgeous metals, acrylics and canvases on display so you can choose your favorite images for your wall. With the use of professional digital software, we will even help you choose just the right size based on your walls!

Digital products will be delivered to you within 2 weeks of full payment of your order. Once final editing approval has been given by our clients, all print products will be ordered. Please note that the times below are for non-holiday time periods. For Christmas delivery, please add another 1-2 weeks. It pays to do your holiday portraits early for this reason.

Wall art: approx 4 weeks

Folio boxes: approx 3 weeks

Albums: approx 3 weeks

Wall art: 20x30” metal prints

Premium Wood Folio box of 30 or more images

Acrylic cover album of 20 or more images

Within 2 weeks after your order is paid in full, you will receive an email with a private gallery link to view and download your images. We provide both 5x7” high resolution images as well as web sized images for your social media sharing.

We believe that all women are beautiful and typically offer minimal retouching. For mature women, lines are softened a bit but not erased. Clients may request additional minor tweaks to the retouching once they see their digital images. These tweaks are done complimentary. Any major new edits to images may incur an additional charge and would be discussed with the client.

Additionally, wardrobe issues will be fixed (wrinkles in clothing, a piece of fabric out of place), fly away hair will be taken out as well as any distractions in the image. If you have moles, scars or tattoos that you want removed, this will be discussed at your ordering appointment.

Black and white images are some of the most beautiful. They can be soulful and intimate. Most of the time, images can be converted successfully (from an artistic standpoint) to black and white. Occasionally, there is an image that does not convert effectively as a black and white. Kelley will make an artistic judgement when editing your images on which ones to convert. You will then receive both color and any black and whites in your client gallery for downloading.

Typically, images are printed in color for both matted prints and albums, unless specifically stated otherwise or requested by the client.

This can be discussed at your consultation.

Each image you purchase comes as both the digital copy (jpeg) and a 5x7” print matted in an 8x10” white mat. So, there’s no need to go print yourself.

Another thing to consider is if you try to print an additional copy of your image using your jpeg at a place like Walmart or CVS, you won’t like the results and it may look very different from the image you purchased.

WHY? It all has to do with using a professional lab. My computer and the lab’s printers are calibrated. That means that the colors and subtle tones in the image match each other. What I see on my screen will match how it’s printed at my professional lab. The consumer labs at box stores or pharmacies are not calibrated. Their red or pink could look wildly different from the print you purchased from me.

Trust me, you won’t be pleased. This is why I offer complimentary additional (typically, 5) loose 5x7” prints of your favorite images if requested.

Your digital images are sized the same as your prints: 5x7”. Trying to print this size much bigger will result in a pixelated and fuzzy image. Definitely not a good look for your walls.

Additionally, all of our wall art pieces get a Signature Master Retouch before going to print at the lab. This means that your image has been meticulously edited to make sure every hair is in place, all blemishes have been removed and it’s perfect for your walls. When you enlarge a photograph to even 11x17 (small by our standards) you see details you wouldn’t see in your smaller 5x7’s. We make sure it’s absolutely perfect for you because that’s what you and your home deserve!

Absolutely! Please share! While it’s not mandatory, we would sure love a shout out and a tag in your post. On facebook you can tag us @kelleynorciaphotography and on Instagram it’s @kelley_norcia_photography

We understand that everyone has different comfort levels with sharing images online, and we respect that.

So here’s what we do: at your ordering appointment, once you decide what images you’ll be purchasing, we then have a specific conversation about which images you are ok with me posting and which ones you are not. We will sign an agreement to this effect so you can rest assured you’ll never be surprised at seeing an image online that you’d rather keep private.

If you feel that your partner/spouse/bestie would be your cheerleader and be excited for you, then by all means, invite them! We have a strict “no smack talk” policy when viewing images. Our studio is all about positivity, self-love and acceptance. We are here to Celebrate you! Anyone who brings negativity to the studio may be asked to leave and the ordering appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Yes, you may bring one additional person to watch and observe the shoot and give lots of moral support! We ask that they observe from a reasonable distance (so we can do our job effectively.) Your friend will not be photographed that day.

Policy for taking cell phone pictures during the shoot: If your friend would like to capture behind the scenes shots with a cell phone, that would be great. We ask that the images be true behind the scenes in nature (includes the photographer and/or makeup artist or be a candid not in front of any backdrops. In other words, images taken over my shoulder of just the client after I have gotten them posed, is not allowed.

Again, if you choose to post these images online, we ask that you tag us.

Facebook: @kelleynorciaphotography

Instagram: @kelley_norcia_photography

If there is inclement weather the day of your shoot, we would hoop on a call together and discuss some options. Sometimes we just delay the start of the shoot until the roads are in better condition. Sometimes we have to reschedule. If we need to reschedule due to weather, there would be no charge.

Cancellation Policy:
Booking fees are non-refundable. They hold 2 dates on our calendar and we secure a team for all our clients (makeup artist, assistants, cleaners, stylists, etc.) that we are still required to pay if our clients decide to cancel.

Once we have selected your dates, our team is committed to it and we do not book anything else on that day. The day is all yours. Cancellations must be made within 48 hrs of booking (not the session date) for a full refund of your session fee. After this time, your session fee is non-refundable. If the photographer needs to cancel, the session fee will be refunded.

Emergency situations will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Rescheduling Policy:
If you need to reschedule your photoshoot date, we allow one reschedule complimentary.
If you need to reschedule a second time, the full session fee will be required to select a new date.
Your new date needs to be on the calendar within 2 months of the original date. Photoshoots booked after 2 months will require a new session fee.

Yes. We work with only the best hair and makeup artists! These are HMA’s who are well trained in all skin and hair types and have many years experience in the industry. If you have specific hair and/or makeup needs, our HMA would be more than happy to chat with you prior to your shoot so you can get all questions answered.

*Please note that the day of your shoot will include hair styling and makeup application. Hair will not be blow dried, trimmed, washed or colored. Those appointments will need to be made with your personal stylist ahead of your shoot date.

Images are kept for 3 months after delivery of your order.

Yes

Absolutely! At your consultation, we will discuss the amazing choice of bonuses you can get just by prepaying toward your purchase. Want to learn more? Click here to learn all about Prepayments.

I often recommend a natural or neautral color for fingernails, like a light pink, french or other versitile shade that will go with any color you may wear. As for feet, make sure your toes are ready as we sometimes go barefoot. You may wear any color that lights you up!

Absolutely! We have several collections to choose from and the more you buy, the more you save!

I direct my clients to adjust their own wardrobe/clothing throughout the shoot unless you request otherwise. My hair and makeup artist stays for the entire shoot and can be your personal assistant for wardrobe issues if you would like. I am all about open communication with my clients and your comfort level.

I get it! Please know that you are in a safe space. My hair and makeup artist is here the whole time and you are even welcome to bring a friend to hang out while we photograph you. Your comfort is the most important part of this process. I can’t emphasize this enough. We have robes in the studio to wear in between shooting, and we will go at YOUR pace. Thought you’d want to do something more revealing but want to change your mind? No problem. You aren’t locked into anything. I want you to LOVE your portraits and making you feel at ease is the first step.

Before your shoot, we will have a consultation to discuss how you dream of being photographed. You’ll be able to bring multiple looks. I will guide you so you choose clothing that looks fabulous on you and photographs well. Most women have items in their closet that would work just fine. I also have a studio wardrobe you can peek in to see if something catches your eye. Have a great hat you’d love to wear? Bring it!

I work with a professional makeup artist and she’s the best at listening to exactly what you want. In fact, Traci has been in the business for 30 years! We even have visual guides here at the studio to show you, so you are both on the same page. She specializes in camera ready makeup. She knows exactly the right application to help you look great on camera - including turning up the volume on your eye makeup and adding beautiful definition to your eyes with lash extensions. She also knows what NOT to do. For example, she would never use the day-to-day products that would make you look shiny or shimmery, because on camera that would read as greasy. Instead she uses pro products that make your skin appear flawless on camera. If you’ve seen the images on my website, 100% of these women have benefited from using the services of our pro makeup artist. If there’s anything you wish to tweak before we start shooting, we can do that too!

When have you last seen a picture of yourself that you love? Really love. Has it been 10 years? Back on your wedding day? A quick candid someone took at a get together? Listen to me: your weight is the least interesting thing about you. I can take 10 lbs off you just with posing alone! (no kidding). Trust me, let’s focus on making you feel and look amazing. You deserve these portraits. And your family doesn’t care what size you are. They love you just the way you are and You Are Worth It.

Ok, let’s get this out of the way right here. First of all, you are beautiful. How do I know? Because beauty comes from within. It’s the light that’s already glowing inside you. I’m going to bring that light to the surface and let everyone see it. Secondly, being “photogenic” is a myth. It’s all about using the best light, proper posing, and genuine expressions. I specialize in modern, authentic portraits and I can give that to you too. I’d love for you to read Liz’s testimonial about how she was convinced she couldn’t take a good picture. Read about it here.

Our studio wardrobe is freaking awesome! We have over 80 pieces to choose from in sizes ranging from 2-25 so there’s something there for most. We have a variety of items from gowns, dresses in various formalities, vests, bodysuits, pantsuits, blazers, hats, scarves, and a limited amount of costume jewelry. We do not carry more intimate items like bras/panties as most women bring their own.

Yes, the consultation is required as this is the detail planning for your shoot. It will last about 1 hour and is held at the Clinton studio. For clients that live a significant distance away (more than 1 hr), a zoom consultation can be requested.

We are a boutique, luxury studio and we plan each shoot specifically for our clients. No two shoots are exactly the same. We will discuss hair and makeup, wardrobe options, and how you wish to be photographed. You will also see the samples of wall art, folio boxes and luxury albums we offer to store and display your beautiful portraits.