Q: Where are we based?

• We’re based in Los Angeles but will travel almost anywhere and are passport ready!

Q: Why us?

• The most important thing we strive for is genuine connection with our clients.  We also strive to capture the genuine connection and love between couples and families, rather than creating a superficial situation. We feel that being true and real and capturing the beauty of relationships is our biggest responsibility as your photographers.
• We deliver all your images with a color and black and white version, because sometimes both just look awesome!

Q: How long have you been in business?

• We both picked up photography as a passion as kids which led to both of us to earning our Bachelor of Arts in Photography in 2004. We officially started our business of photographing people in July of 2008. Each of us have 10 years working experience in the professional photography industry!

Q: Do we always work together?

• Almost always! Every once in a while we’ll photograph a small portrait session solo. Weddings are always shot as a team.

Q: Film or Digital?

• Almost always digital! If you’re interested in doing a session with film just ask us. We still love shooting film!!!

Q: Color or black and white?

• When shooting digitally we shoot everything in color. We deliver all your images with both a color and black and white version.
• When we shoot film, we shoot both color and black and white film!!!

Q: What equipment and services do you use?

• Cameras:

• Photo Labs – We use WHCC for photographic prints and ProDPI for promotional press printed materials

• Computer Hardware and Software – Apple Mac!!!!  Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom. Flaunt & Blogshow Slideshows in addition to Vend Client Proofing from Into The Darkroom

Q: How many photos do we take?

• For every hour of wedding coverage with two photographers you should expect to receive around 50 finished images. So if you do the math, 8 hours of coverage would give you approximately 400 images. At portrait sessions, which usually take between 1-2 hours we deliver approximately 40-100 images.

Q: Will our photos be retouched?

• We personally edit and color correct every image before we deliver them to you. We personally do minor blemish retouching, specifically on close up shots. We do not do extensive skin softening or airbrushing for our regular sessions. Let us know if you would like extensive work and we can accommodate you. We both have extensive retouching experience and skill!

Q: How does the booking process work?

• Send us an email at contact@saraplusryan.com or call us 818-949-8674. We will get back to you within 24 hours (usually much sooner). We then set up a time to meet either in person or via internet chat (skype or facetime). We’ll answer any questions, go over any details and just chat!
• We’ll then send you a contract either in the mail or via email. Our contract requires a retainer fee of 1/2 the price of whatever session or package you are booking.  You can pay with cash, check or credit card, and our contracts are very straight forward and simple!
• If you are booking a portrait or engagement session we will then discuss a location. We can either travel to a location of your choice or we can help with locations local to us. We usually like to meet up for coffee, food or a drink an hour or two before the session begins. It helps everyone feel more relaxed and comfortable and any questions or concerns can be discussed before the shoot. if you’re booking a wedding session we always discuss a timeline and details LONG before the wedding day. The more details we know, the better!

Q: What happens after the session?

• Within 4-6 weeks after your session you’ll receive an email link with an online gallery of your images. You are free to send the link to friends and family to just view the images or to order prints.
• If you purchased digital negatives you’ll also receive either a DVD or mini flash drive with your images within 4-6 weeks after the session.
• If you purchase an album you are able to choose which images you want in the album via the internet.  You will receive your album within 4-6 weeks after we receive your photo picks.
• You get to look at and share your prints and/or album forever!

Q: When is the best time to book a session?

• We prefer to do all of our on location sessions late in the day or super early. Right at sunrise or an hour or two before sunset provides the most beautiful and flattering light possible! Mid-day light, especially when the sun is directly overhead creates harsh and unflattering shadows. We don’t want you to be squinting or have dark shadows under your eyes, a.k.a. raccoon eyes!
• If you want to do a session in a pretty, natural location with lots of plant life we recommend scheduling your session in the later part of spring when plants thrive!

Q: What do we wear to our portrait session?

• It’s entirely up to you whether you dress it up or down to your portrait session. We just have a few guidelines that help us help you look great!

• Clothing to to Avoid:

1. White Clothing: White is the hardest color to photograph, especially in natural lighting. It can become blown out which draws the eye away from YOU.
2. Busy Patterns: Once again, we want the photos to be about you and not your busy shirt!
3. Logos and Writing: Unless the logo or writing is part of the theme of the shoot it just looks tacky and once again distracting.
4. Overly bright colors: Please leave your florescent orange outfit for another day. Not only is it distracting but digital photography does not reproduce the colors well.
5. Big athletic shoes- The simple Converse and old school Vans types are ok, but big athletic shoes like new balance and Adidas just stick out like a sore thumb. If the shoot requires a lot of walking or any hiking to a location we recommend you wear shoes that are comfortable and bring some others to change into once we get to the location where the photo session will take place.

•  Good Clothing Choices:

1. Neutral Colors: Soft, neutral colors look best in photos. Browns, cream, soft and muted colors work great. Keep in mind the location of the session when choosing colors. For example: If we’re doing a session in green grass you might not want to wear a green shirt the same color as the grass. Also, colors that compliment the other person (s) wardrobe should be kept in mind.
2. Simple Stripes or Patterns: Some stripes and patterns, as long as they are not busy, can be slimming and flattering!

Do’s and don’ts photos coming soon!