FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When you’re ready to reserve your session, we invite you to call 806.382.7732. Scheduling by phone allows us to thoughtfully review our calendars together and select a date and time that best complements your schedule.

During this call, we will conduct a brief consultation to better understand you, your vision, and your goals for the session so we can begin designing an experience tailored specifically to you.

We will also collect a few essential details, including your full name, the best contact number for the day of your session (along with a backup number if available), your preferred email for gallery delivery, and your mailing address for artwork and product shipments (particularly for out-of-state clients). Please plan for a few uninterrupted minutes so we can give your session the attention it deserves.

If you are hearing impaired or unable to call during business hours due to professional commitments, we are happy to coordinate with you via email.

As part of your consultation, we will thoughtfully guide you through wardrobe styling, select the ideal location, and determine the most flattering time for your session (typically scheduled during golden hour for outdoor portraits).

To officially reserve your date on our calendar, a 50% non-refundable retainer is required. This retainer is applied toward your final investment.

We look forward to creating something beautiful together.

We recommend reserving your session 2–3 months in advance to ensure availability. However, if inspiration strikes and you’re considering a last-minute session, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Occasionally, unexpected openings arise, and you may find the perfect date waiting just for you

While we offer several collections tailored to different needs, each experience includes the following:

• Pre-Session Consultation
  Your personalized phone or in-person consultation where we thoughtfully plan every detail including wardrobe styling, location selection, package options, and any special requests ensuring your session is beautifully curated from the start.
• Dedicated Session Time
  Session length varies by experience and includes the time, expertise, and creative direction of your photographer, along with exclusive artistic post-production and professional retouching.
• Online Preview Gallery
  A private, watermarked proofing gallery designed for convenient viewing and ordering. Each session type includes a baseline image range; however, galleries often exceed that range depending on the flow of your session and the number of participants. Some sessions may yield more than 200 images.
• Photo Credit
  A portion and in most cases, the full value of your initial investment is applied as a credit toward digital images, fine art prints, albums, canvas artwork, heirloom products, or curated collections. (Please note: Sports sessions, Headshots/Branding, and Events follow a different structure.)
• Post-Session Ordering Consultation (Optional) Available in-person or via FaceTime/Zoom, this guided appointment assists you in selecting your favorite images and designing custom artwork or a tailored collection that reflects your vision.

For your convenience, you may use the direct shortcut links provided below. All session pricing is also available within each session category under the “Galleries” tab located at the top of our website menu.

On each category page, you’ll first find a curated sample gallery for inspiration. Just below the gallery, toward the bottom of the page, you’ll see the detailed pricing and collection options for that specific session type.

Your Pre-Portrait Consultation thoughtfully prepares us for a seamless and successful experience. On the day of your session, we’ll meet at our agreed-upon time and location, briefly review your vision, and confirm any “must-have” images before we begin.

We’ll move through a selection of pre-scouted locations chosen for beautiful light and aesthetic appeal. Throughout your session, we’ll guide you through a variety of flattering poses while also capturing natural, candid moments. Our approach is designed to feel relaxed, enjoyable, and pressure-free, creating not only stunning images, but a meaningful and memorable experience.

At the conclusion of your session, the remaining 50% balance will be collected so your images can be placed into our editing queue. Please note that post-production will begin once the final balance has been received.

We carefully curate your gallery to include only the very best images. Every photo you receive has been thoughtfully selected and professionally edited to meet our highest standards. Because of this, you will not see every single pose or image captured during your session. We remove any images that are unflattering, blurry, under- or over-exposed, have closed eyes, or simply don’t reflect the level of artistry we strive to deliver.

The number of final images depends on the type of session you book, but most galleries include approximately 20-50+ fully edited images.

We believe in quality over quantity. Our goal is to present you with a stunning, cohesive gallery filled with beautiful, meaningful images, rather than overwhelm you with photos that don’t truly shine.

Because of our creative process and careful selection standards, we do not offer mini sessions. We provide full sessions only. However, you’re welcome to choose as few or as many images as you’d like using your photo credit.

Our sessions are intentionally designed to feel relaxed and unrushed. We’ve found that some of the most beautiful, natural images happen toward the end, once you’re fully comfortable and at ease.

To deliver “just a few” standout images, we still need to capture a variety of poses and candid moments. If we only took a handful of photos, you’d likely have very limited options, maybe one or two that truly stand out. Instead, we believe in providing a thoughtfully curated gallery with a wide range of beautiful choices, so you can confidently select the images you love most

Post-production is one of the most important and time-intensive parts of the photography process, accounting for approximately 70–80% of the overall work. Each image is carefully reviewed and thoughtfully edited to ensure it meets our highest standards.

Turnaround time is typically 2-4 weeks, depending on the season and overall workload. Because we are committed to delivering exceptional quality, we never rush the editing process. Your images deserve the time and attention required to make them truly beautiful.

At this time, we do not offer sneak peeks. This also includes individual images for announcements, holidays, engagements, or other special occasions.

Before editing even begins, there is an extensive preparation process that can take up to four hours. This includes saving and organizing RAW image files, uploading them into our editing software, and carefully culling your entire session, reviewing each image one by one to select the strongest photographs and remove any that don’t meet our standards.

Because of this detailed workflow, our full editing timeline is approximately 2-4 weeks. We kindly recommend keeping this timeframe in mind when scheduling your session around holidays, announcements, or other important events. Our priority is delivering a beautifully finished gallery, thoughtfully edited and worth the wait.

All editing decisions are entrusted to the photographer’s professional judgment and artistic vision. We retain full creative license to ensure your final images reflect our signature style and highest standards.

Within 2-4 weeks after your session (up to 6 weeks during peak season, October–December), you will receive a fully edited online gallery available for purchase.

Basic Edit (Included in Your Gallery)

Each delivered image receives a polished, professional edit that includes:

• Color correction
• Exposure adjustments
• Selective black & white processing
• Clarity adjustments
• Cropping and composition refinement

This ensures every image is cohesive, clean, and beautifully finished.

Enhanced / Signature Edits (Available as Add-Ons or in Packages)

Enhanced edits take your images to the next level, applying our signature artistic style to create stunning, refined portraits. These may include:

• Teeth and eye whitening
• Minimizing glare on glasses (when possible)
• Flyaway hair cleanup
• Skin smoothing and evening skin tone
• Softening fine lines and wrinkles
• Reducing dark circles, shine, blemishes, scars
• Light slimming and vein softening (hands)
• Clothing smoothing
• Tattoo softening or removal (upon request)
• Simple face swaps (within the same image sequence)
• Artistic enhancements and rendering

Custom Post-Production

Requests beyond the scope of standard or enhanced edits are considered custom post-production. Examples include:

• Removing or adding objects
• Changing body shape or size
• Extensive skin retouching or facial modifications
• Hair modifications
• Editing sunburns
• Correcting stained, ill-fitting, or heavily wrinkled clothing
• Adding or removing people
• Rearranging multiple individuals
• Opening closed eyes
• Creating new outfits
• Any heavy image manipulation at the photographer’s discretion

Custom post-production is billed at $65 per hour, as time varies based on complexity. Any detailed correction list provided after gallery delivery is considered custom editing. Please contact our studio manager for a personalized quote.

Wardrobe Note: We strongly recommend wearing properly fitted clothing. Garments that are excessively tight or oversized do not photograph well and may require additional editing.

Our goal is always to deliver timeless, artful images while maintaining authenticity and integrity in every photograph.

Once your gallery is ready, you’ll receive a link to a private, watermarked online preview gallery. This will be available for a limited time so you can view your portraits in the comfort of your home.

While viewing online is convenient, we highly recommend scheduling a Purchasing Session, either in person or via Zoom. During this time, we’ll walk through your images together, help you narrow down your favorites, and guide you through product and artwork selections to ensure you feel confident in your choices.

Your preview gallery will expire within 10 days, so we encourage you to review your images promptly and schedule your purchasing appointment within that timeframe. We’re here to make the selection process simple, enjoyable, and stress-free.

Your Purchasing Session is where everything comes together. During this appointment, we’ll review your images, walk through all available product options, and help you decide what will best complement your home, whether that’s wall art, albums, prints, or a custom collection.

It’s helpful to come with a general idea of what you’re drawn to (canvas, framed prints, albums, etc.) and where you envision displaying your artwork, as we will be placing your final order during this appointment.

If you’re located out of state, we’re happy to host your Purchasing Session virtually via Zoom or FaceTime.

Please note the following:

• All decision-makers must be present (in person or virtually) for the appointment to proceed.
• Full payment, including applicable taxes, is required at the time of ordering before your purchase is sent to the lab.
• Any images not selected during your Purchasing Session will be archived immediately after your appointment.
• A $100 fee applies to reinstate your gallery for an additional 10 days.
• If an additional Purchasing Session is needed, a $250 conference fee will apply.

Our goal is to make this experience enjoyable, efficient, and tailored to your vision, so you leave confident and excited about the artwork you’ve chosen.

We are a full-service, modern boutique studio dedicated to creating high-quality, heirloom artwork designed to be treasured for generations.

While you are never required to invest beyond your initial session fee, most families choose to enhance their experience with custom artwork and products. On average, clients invest between $1,200–$3,200, depending on their selections and the pieces they choose for their home.

Our goal is to help you create meaningful, lasting artwork that beautifully tells your story and fits your vision.

Once your order has been submitted to our professional lab, most products are delivered within 2–4 weeks, depending on the items selected.

If you purchased digital files, they will be delivered within 7 days in a separate online gallery and will remain available for download for 30 days.

For our local clients, we will schedule a pickup appointment so you can personally review your artwork and sign off on your products to ensure everything is perfect.

We are passionate about delivering more than just beautiful images and heirloom artwork, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience from beginning to end. Our goal is not only to create lasting memories for you, but to make every step of the journey feel thoughtful, personal, and worthy of your investment. From our first conversation to final delivery, we are dedicated to offering a luxury experience centered on quality, care, and service.

We’re happy to place a courtesy hold on a date for up to 24 hours without a retainer. However, if another client requests the same date and is ready to submit their retainer, the date will be secured by the first paid retainer received. Dates are not guaranteed until a retainer has been made.

In select situations, we may extend a hold to 48 hours (never more than 72 hours). These extensions are typically reserved for business clients over a weekend or holiday and are granted at our discretion.

Please understand that a date cannot officially be considered “yours” until the retainer is paid. We encourage clients to submit their retainer promptly to secure their session. Each day a date is held without payment represents a potential booking opportunity we may have to decline.

All retainers used to secure a date are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Our pricing is firm, and we kindly ask that you respect our policy by not requesting discounts.

As a Professional Photography Business, we take pride in delivering exceptional, fine-art imagery. Our prices reflect the value of our signature artistic style, which encompasses not only the photographer’s time and expertise during your session but also the extensive post-production process, which accounts for approximately 80% of the work.

Many of our sessions operate on a Photo Credit system, meaning your session investment converts into a credit you can apply toward a-la-carte items such as digital images, prints, canvases, albums, heirloom products, or pre-designed packages. This structure allows you to customize your collection while ensuring the highest level of artistry and quality in every piece.

Pricing for Sports, Events, and Commercial Branding Sessions is listed as a starting point to set expectations, but the final cost varies depending on the unique needs of each session. Once we discuss the details, we can provide a custom quote that accurately reflects your project.

Several factors can influence the total investment, including:

• Total time required for photography and post-production
• Complexity of the schedule, including key events, speakers, or details
• Need for a second or additional photographer and/or assistants
• Travel and setup time
• Specialized equipment requirements
• Multiple or remote locations
• Licensing agreements for commercial work
• Number of guests (more people typically means more images)

Our goal is to provide a tailored quote that ensures your session receives the time, attention, and expertise it deserves.

To ensure a smooth and efficient photo day, please review our policies regarding cancellations, schedule changes, and group rates:

Cancellations & Schedule Changes

• All cancellations or schedule changes must be made at least one week prior to the session date.
• Same day cancellations, no-shows, or opting out on picture day will be billed at the full individual headshot rate.
• If a reduction in participants causes the group to no longer meet the criteria for group pricing, the standard individual rate will apply to those photographed.
• The photographer reserves the right to apply both the no-show fee and the full individual rate at their discretion.

We kindly ask that this policy be communicated to all staff members ahead of picture day to prevent any unexpected charges.

We strongly encourage planning ahead for unexpected delays, such as traffic or other emergencies. Many of our sessions take place at sunset, which means we work within a very specific window of natural light.

• If you arrive 10–15 minutes late, we will proceed with your session, but the lost time will be deducted from your scheduled session.
• If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, it will be considered a no-show, and your retainer will be forfeited.

You are welcome to reschedule, but a new 50% retainer will be required to secure your new date.

We recommend leaving extra time for travel so you can enjoy your session without feeling rushed.

You may reschedule your session up to 72 hours in advance of your scheduled time.

If you need to reschedule more than twice or within the 72-hour window, your retainer will be forfeited, and a new retainer will be required to secure a new date. This policy helps us manage scheduling fairly and avoid excessive changes.

Our sessions require a 50% retainer, which is non-refundable. This retainer covers the time and work involved in consultations, emails, phone calls, contract preparation, planning, and administrative tasks.

We encourage you to be certain before scheduling your session. However, if you cancel more than 72 hours before your scheduled session, you may transfer your retainer to someone else in the form of a gift certificate, should you decide not to move forward with your own session.

Once a portrait session has taken place, the session fee is non-refundable. This fee reflects the time, expertise, and creative effort invested from planning through the completion of your session.

We strongly encourage you to review our portfolio and galleries beforehand to ensure that our style aligns with your vision before booking your session.

Our sessions require a 50% non-refundable retainer, which covers consultations, emails, phone calls, contract preparation, planning, and administrative work. We do not issue refunds under any circumstances, including “Acts of God.”

If your session is impacted by severe weather, we will issue a credit toward a future session.

The only exception applies to out-of-state clients who experience a three-day, consecutive rainout during their stay, and we are unable to reschedule or accommodate their session. In this case, we will refund the retainer minus a $150 administrative fee.

All gift certificates or pre-purchased sessions are valid for redemption within one year of the purchase date. Any prints, canvases, or products included as part of a promotional gift, gift certificate, or bundled package will not be honored after one year. After this period, only the original purchase amount may be applied as a credit toward current session fees.

Similarly, any credit or retainer from an approved rescheduled session is valid for one year from the original session date. After one year, the credit may be applied toward the current session fees.

We do not provide RAW images. Our focus is on delivering a fully finished, polished product, and we shoot with the final images in mind. RAW files require extensive editing to achieve the quality and style we guarantee, and any edits made outside of our process would not accurately represent our work.

If your images have been archived, we can provide access to a new 14-day online gallery for a $100 replacement fee. We strongly recommend downloading your images as soon as possible and backing them up to a cloud storage service to ensure they are safely preserved.

Once your watermarked gallery is delivered, you will have 10 days to select your images before the gallery expires.

Until your images are officially released to you by Yvonne Urteaga Photography, permission is not granted to post, share, print, or use them in any form.

Any attempt to bypass the watermark, such as screenshots, cropping, or removing the watermark, or posting images that have not been provided to you in a high-resolution, unwatermarked format is considered unauthorized use. It is your responsibility to review our FAQ & Policies to ensure compliance.

If unauthorized use occurs, each image will be billed at the current rate listed on our website, and unpaid invoices will incur a $50 late fee every 30 days. After six months, unpaid balances may be sent to collections.

If we become aware of improper image use before the images are released, we reserve the right to:

1. Disable access to the gallery
2. Disable the print shop
3. Invoice for any used images

All copyright remains with the photographer. Permission for use is granted only according to the terms of your package.

Your session fee covers the photographer’s time and expertise, contract preparation, emails, calls, and editing. The session fee only converts into a credit toward images once selections are made and images are officially released. Using images before they are released will forfeit the opportunity for your session fee to become a credit.

The Texas Panhandle weather can be unpredictable, and we will do our best to reschedule your session at a time that works for you.

For out-of-state clients:
We will make every effort to schedule your session for the next available day or before your departure; however, we cannot guarantee a sunset session. We recommend planning your session with at least two extra days in your stay to allow flexibility in case of rain.

If it rains three consecutive days and we are unable to reschedule your session, we will refund your retainer minus a $150 administrative fee. This is the only exception we offer for refunds.

For personal photography sessions (fashion, boudoir, family, etc.), you are paying for our creative time and a license for print and personal use. While we will provide a print release for digital files you have purchased, all rights to the images remain the photographers. This is common industry standards to avoid misuse and unauthorized manipulation of the images that would misrepresent our brand and compromise our reputation. It also protects the photographers from having the images printed commercially without photo credit or compensation for their work. Anything beyond reprinting and personal use will require our written permission or the purchase of a Commercial Image License.

If you have purchased a commercial photography session (defined by any session that uses the images for profit through marketing of ones self or business commercially), You will be provided a 5 year Commercial Image License on the images purchased to use for marketing, social media and other materials of the like. These sessions usually start at $2200+, require both a strategy meeting and a formal contract in place prior to moving forward. If you would like to have an extended or endless Commercial Image License that can be negotiated during our strategy meeting and the terms of your license will be included in your contract.

If you have had a personal photography session and would now like to use an image for commercial purposes, you will have to purchase a Commercial Image License. A 5 year Commercial Image License starts at $800 per image. There can be negotiation on multiple images, extended and endless Commercial Image Licensing. 

Commercial Image Licensing is for marketing/ promotion purposes (magazines, billboards etc.) Any and all resale of an image/s for profit is strictly prohibited unless there is a full purchase of copyrights from the Photographer which would be negotiated with an attorney.

Yes, we may use images from your session to showcase our work and promote Yvonne Urteaga Photography, our website, blog, and other marketing materials. By booking a session with us, you consent to this use unless you provide a written request stating otherwise.

We consider our images to be works of art that reflect the quality and standards of Yvonne Urteaga Photography. For this reason, we do not allow any edits or manipulation of our images by clients, as outside alterations would not represent our style or brand.

When you hire us, you are investing in our expertise, artistry, and professional reputation. To maintain the quality and consistency of our work, we retain full control over how images are presented.

Depending on your session type, you will receive either a Print License or a Commercial Image License for use, but all copyrights remain with the photographer. This ensures that every image maintains the standard of excellence that defines our work.

As noted under “Do you use our images from our session on your website?”, by booking a session with Yvonne Urteaga Photography, you agree that we may use your images to promote our work on our website, blog, and other marketing materials, unless you request otherwise in writing.

Our portfolio and editorial work generally fall under fair use, as all images are owned and copyrighted by the photographer. However, you may be asked to sign a model release if your images are intended for commercial use, either by a client we are contracted with or for our own commercial purposes.

Typically, the photographer will request your permission in writing (via text, email, or letter) before posting images on websites or social media platforms that require formal consent.

A model release is required if your images will be used for any commercial client contracted by Jessica McKnight Photography. Compensation for the model may be involved and will always be discussed and agreed upon before the session. In some cases, you may also need to sign a release directly with the contracting company (such as a magazine or marketing firm).