FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where are you located?
Tamieka Smith Photography is located in Los Angeles, specifically Torrance and serves the entire Los Angeles (South Bay) metropolis. I frequently travel to visit other cities and states. In addition, I periodically travel to Northern Virginia to photograph National Archives military ceremonies and Family Portraits in Washington D.C. as well as other venues in the DMV.
What do you specialize in?
I specialize in being a print artist and creating beautiful, tangible portraits for my clients. This is because digital images eventually fail, however a fine-art print on an 8-ply mat and framed will never fail and there's no equivalent. Your life's biggest events are showcased - maternity, families, military promotion, military retirements, etc. My style incorporates big colors and big smiles. I create beautiful custom wall galleries for clients on a regular basis as well as albums and other custom items. Offering top-quality images and assisting clients with turning those images into works of art by partnering with the top professional printing labs in the United States. A portrait isn't complete until it's not only on your computer or social media streams, but installed in your home for you and your family to enjoy every day.
How much are your sessions?
For specific pricing questions, call (213) 212-2251 (Los Angeles), (571) 250-5073 (Washington D.C./Northern Virginia), or visit the Inquiry page and send a message. I would be thrilled to speak with you.
Are you a member of any Professional Organizations?
Yes, I am a member of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, The National Professional Photographer Association.
Are you a Licensed Business and Insured?
Yes, Tamieka Smith Photography is registered with the states of Virginia and California. I'm registered to collect and remit Virginia and California Sales Tax. Tamieka Smith Photography also has a Los Angeles County Tax Certificate. I carry insurance; should your venue requires "Proof of Coverage", I am happy to provide certification.
Do you have a physical studio?
Your desired location for portraits is why I enjoy shooting on-location. Whether it's your family's favorite park, your office, or even your backyard. You'll be able to enjoy the beauty of the Los Angeles area instead of being stuck in a studio with four walls. The DMV has so many different locations that provide a wonderful scene for family portraits. Why limit your family's portrait to a studio.
What makes Tamieka different than the other million photographers?
I pride myself in personal service for every client and providing a professionally finished product hand delivered! I begin with a complimentary, no obligation consultation with each client to determine your needs and wants. Getting to know about you (your likes and dislikes) and all the important things to you means more in our ability to capture the significant portraits. In addition, once your session is complete, we meet again to reveal your portraits. This is truly a luxurious and pampering experience.
I am a print artist! Which means photographing you and your family is only a portion of the job. The capture and retouch is half the job. Printing, framing, and installing your portraits are the completion of my work. When it comes to personal service, I find my clients are excited and refreshed through every step of the process.
I am a print artist! Which means photographing you and your family is only a portion of the job. The capture and retouch is half the job. Printing, framing, and installing your portraits are the completion of my work. When it comes to personal service, I find my clients are excited and refreshed through every step of the process.
You deserve to have someone take care of you from start-to-finish which means making sure you don't have anything else to do after your portrait session except admire your portraits. Excellent service is my gold standard!
Do you have a list of possible photography locations?
I have a growing list of favorite locations Northern Virginia Locations (Los Angeles locations coming soon) and will work with you to find one that fits a look or theme you're going for. My studio loves to explore new locations if there is somewhere special or meaningful to you and your family!
Can you fill in missing teeth, remove braces, or remove severe acne?
Yes! Here at Tamieka Smith Photography, I can do all of that and more. Simple editing like skin smoothing and blemish removal are done free of charge, however, there is a minimal charge for image modifications. Please contact studio for more details.
When is the best time to schedule a portrait session?
You may schedule your portrait session as early as three months out. Complimentary consultations may be scheduled by calling (213) 212-2251, (571) 250-5073, or online. If you don't see a time or day available on the calendar to schedule your consultation, contact me directly to determine if something may be arranged.
When should I schedule my maternity session?
Portrait sessions may be scheduled via telephone call or booked online. For moms-to-be, attempt to photograph these sessions during the seventh or eight month of pregnancy. The baby bump is visible and the mom-to-be is still somewhat comfortable.
How should I pay for my session?
During your consultation, you'll be able to submit payment for your portrait session. Arrangements may be made if you prefer to pay with credit card, cash, or check. A signed portrait agreement and your session retainer, is required in order to secure your preferred date.
When is the best time of day to schedule a portrait session?
Sessions are best scheduled in the late afternoon or early morning when the sun and the shadows aren't quite so high and harsh. However, I'll work around your schedule and what works best for you and your family.
What should I wear for my portrait session?
Styling your session is the hardest part when booking a portrait session, I swear! To help, there is a styling guide for my clients. It's not unusual to get emails and texts from clients with pictures of clothing ideas, looking for input. I've been happy to play both photographer and stylist.
How long will my session take?
It depends on the sessions being requested. On average, portrait sessions last about an hour. For sessions with smaller children, I'm often able to wrap up a session in thirty to forty-five minutes. Sometimes, that's as long as the little ones will endure.
When will I see my retouched portraits?
After your session, my fun begins. I aim to present client proofs within 10 to 14 days from your session date. Why the wait? I hand edit each individual image to make sure it's perfect. If you're dying to see results ASAP, contact the studio and I can rush your images for a nominal fee. A week after your portrait session, I will be in contact to schedule an Order/View (Reveal) Appointment (you may schedule a session in advance).
Where will I go to see and order my favorite portraits?
Once your images are edited and complete, I will contact you to schedule an Order/View (Reveal) Appointment. This session will be used to view and order your favorite images. The Order/View appointment is allocated for 2 hours; however, many don't last that long. If additional time is needed, a subsequent appointment may be arranged for an additional $500. At the Order/View (Reveal) appointment it is expected that you will be placing your order. Credit cards, checks, and cash are accepted as a method of payment for your order.
Is there a minimum order?
You only purchase what you love; there is no minimum order requirement or any obligation to buy. Clients typically invest upwards of $4,500 (some more, some less) on wall art, story boxes, digital images, and customized products such as heirloom albums. Payment plans are available.
What do most people purchase?
Depending on the type of session, the most popular items are wall art (canvas and framed portraits) and heirloom albums.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Prints, cards, and announcements usually arrive within 5 to 7 business days. Canvases and Framed Artwork usually arrive in four (4) weeks. You will be able to download digital images within one to three days from purchased. Albums will arrive around four to six weeks after purchase.
Which lab(s) do you use to order your photography products?
I only use professional labs and companies whose products are produced for professional photographers to ensure your portraits will be printed with the same care and quality by which your images are created.
Do you guarantee prints from other places?
Tamieka Smith Photography provides professional printing services through professional printing labs. My system is calibrated to theirs and closely monitored and continuously inspected equipment for a perfect match. I always encourage and recommend my clients to print through my studio and professional labs. Outside photo store counters such as Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, and the like are not professional labs and therefore I cannot guarantee any color matching or quality of photographs printed.
Do you sell digital images?
Yes! I offer professionally retouched, high resolution digital files. They are purchased on a sliding scale, meaning that the more products that are purchased, the more economical the files become. Many clients receive their digital image files for complimentary!
We just want a disc of all the images. Why can't we have just that?
You can! I'm able to provide digital images via download, USB, or CD. Everyone loves sharing their portraits digitally; especially if you're a military family. Military families have family members living world-wide.
However, let's put this in perspective for a second. You get the disc; then what? You upload the album to Facebook or other social media platform and then what? Imagine the families that did this on MySpace. Unfortunately, we don't use MySpace any longer!
Seriously, your images deserve so much more. They deserve to be shared and looked at for what they are. Your family portraits are memories that can be looked back upon for years to come (without firing up a computer or electronic device). Imagine wowing your friends when you share your book- especially if they don't have one!
Let me tell you a secret. Digital images don't last forever. Just a few years ago, photos were stored floppy discs and other types of void media. When is the last time you saw one of those? I'm sure it's been a while (depending on your age...probably never). Have you shopped for computers lately? Most aren't even offering DVD/CD drives. How about "The Cloud"? Ask someone who's cloud server went belly up if that was a good idea. Bits and bytes aren't forever. A lightening storm can destroy them. DVD's go bad in about 5-7 years; USB drive crash too.
When is the last time you had to have any special technology to view a book? I promise you, your parents' wedding album is one of their most prized possessions and yours will be too. Your album/book will be around a lot longer than any disc or USB. In addition, you won't need one of those ancient computers to view it either. This may not seem important now, but in 10 or 20 years, it will when your kids or grandkids are sitting on your knee and looking at your family portrait album. Don't become a member of the lost generation!
However, let's put this in perspective for a second. You get the disc; then what? You upload the album to Facebook or other social media platform and then what? Imagine the families that did this on MySpace. Unfortunately, we don't use MySpace any longer!
Seriously, your images deserve so much more. They deserve to be shared and looked at for what they are. Your family portraits are memories that can be looked back upon for years to come (without firing up a computer or electronic device). Imagine wowing your friends when you share your book- especially if they don't have one!
Let me tell you a secret. Digital images don't last forever. Just a few years ago, photos were stored floppy discs and other types of void media. When is the last time you saw one of those? I'm sure it's been a while (depending on your age...probably never). Have you shopped for computers lately? Most aren't even offering DVD/CD drives. How about "The Cloud"? Ask someone who's cloud server went belly up if that was a good idea. Bits and bytes aren't forever. A lightening storm can destroy them. DVD's go bad in about 5-7 years; USB drive crash too.
When is the last time you had to have any special technology to view a book? I promise you, your parents' wedding album is one of their most prized possessions and yours will be too. Your album/book will be around a lot longer than any disc or USB. In addition, you won't need one of those ancient computers to view it either. This may not seem important now, but in 10 or 20 years, it will when your kids or grandkids are sitting on your knee and looking at your family portrait album. Don't become a member of the lost generation!
Do you offer traditionally framed portraits?
Well yes. Properly framed and matted portraits will last a lifetime if properly maintain. For framing options and a price quote, please visit here.
Why are your prices higher/lower than other photographers in the area?
We all have different skill levels, equipment, experience, and offer varying levels of quality of work. We also take on different number of clients based on our business needs and capacity.
In return for your investment, my studio gives you a fun experience to remember, intricately-crafted pieces of artwork that will last for generations. When you look at your portraits for years to come and smile because they so perfectly capture you and your beautiful family. You will also use your portraits to tell your story to your children and their children. You will know in your heart that your portraits are PRICELESS!
In return for your investment, my studio gives you a fun experience to remember, intricately-crafted pieces of artwork that will last for generations. When you look at your portraits for years to come and smile because they so perfectly capture you and your beautiful family. You will also use your portraits to tell your story to your children and their children. You will know in your heart that your portraits are PRICELESS!
Do you offer discounts?Periodically, the studio offers discounts off session fees or products. Join the community to receive the latest promotions, discounts, and giveaways.
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Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes! Both the session fee and the ordering of prints and products may be put on a payment plan. However, you may not have a session until the session is paid in full and a signed portrait agreement is filed or any products until the products are paid in full.
Do you sell RAW or unedited photos?
No. Under no circumstances with Tamieka Smith Photography sell or give for the client to review unedited or RAW photos. "Quality standards of images: Final images, which are chosen by Tamieka Smith Photography are edited and delivered to the client. All final images are professionally edited, which includes color correction, cropping, simple facial retouching, and artistic effects such as black/white. Extensive retouching such as, but not limited to, significant acne, tan lines, sunglass glare, removal of people or backgrounds, teeth whitening, slenderizing, eyeglass glare, or swapping of heads are significantly labor intensive and charged on a per image basis."
What are your Business Policies?
I don't see a time on your schedule that I like, what should I do?
I'm flexible to accommodate your schedule for photographs. However, my office hours are 8:00 am to 5 pm M-F; 8 am to 6:00 pm Saturday. If you call outside those hours, please leave a message and you will receive a return phone call asap. My telephone number is (213) 212-2251 if you're in Los Angeles or if you're in the Northern Virginia (DMV) area, I may be reached at (571) 250-5073. I may be able to schedule a portrait session or event that's not posted due to a last minute cancellation.
