What to Expect at Your Photo Session

Mike and Jan Black work together as a team in a private location on Lake Grapevine in Flower Mound, Texas. The indoor studio is equipped with state of the art studio lights and light modifiers. Outside are outdoor photo locations with the deep woods of Lake Grapevine as a backdrop. We will also meet clients at outdoor locations of their choosing.

Your session; in good weather, may include outdoor natural light portraits as well as indoor/studio shots. For an individual portrait session, over 100 photos will usually be taken, resulting in about 5-10 nice photos suitable for framing.
In the event the session does not go as planned-such as a young client unhappy to be photographed-then we re-schedule and re-shoot at no extra charge.

Portrait sessions are scheduled at 10AM and 6PM each week day and 10AM, 2PM, and 6PM on Saturdays. Email us and request a date and time that is good for you. Please include a contact phone number, an email address and the names and ages of the subjects to be photographed. I will email you back to confirm your reservation and then send a reminder email a few days before the session.

Pricing
Our photo sessions are free. Your photos will be available on this site for review and you may purchase prints and print products at the prices listed. We only make money if you are happy with your photos and purchase prints.

See before and after photos and more on retouching.

Professional retouching is done on all portrait enlargements unless our clients specifically request that it not be done. You can request that we remove a few wrinkles and blemishes or do a complete cosmetic makeover. Retouching (to whatever level you desire) is currently included in the $50.00 portrait session fee.

What to Wear...
  • Ladies-take care with, or get assistance with your makeup. Think Hollywood. You might feel like it is a little overdone, but remember, the camera is not as discerning as the human eye. It can’t pick up very subtle makeup. Dark eyeliner outlines the eyes and makes them appear dramatic and nice in photos. Bring your makeup with you for touch ups.
  • Ladies-sleeveless tops and gowns are virtually never a good idea. Your upper arm is the body part closest to the camera in most poses. It can dominate the photo if it is even slightly overweight, or too muscled, or too pale from not enough sunlight.
  • Men-your beautiful hairy legs should be covered with long pants. A freshly laundered button up dress shirt or a nice sport shirt with business casual slacks or non-faded blue jeans looks best in photos.
  • Families should wear similar clothing (example; white long sleeve blouses and shirts and dark skirts or pants). This makes a family portrait so much more uniform and appealing. Use solid colors. Avoid prints, plaids, big stripes or other designs. The clothing should accent and compliment the faces and not draw attention away from them.
  • Changing rooms are available. Feel free to bring several different clothing changes.
  • Young children and babies should have a favorite small toy with them.
  • As you Moms are well aware, babies and children don’t photograph very well if they stayed up late the night before or if they are sick or hungry.