Click on the questions to reveal the answers.

When you are happy to book Patrick as your portrait photographer you will need to send him the sitting fee to reserve the photo session in his diary. The sitting fee of £30 can be paid by cheque, credit card or PayPal. Under no circumstances does the studio operate a "drop-in" session - although these might occur on a trial basis if there is any demand.

This is entirely up to you. A studio-based photo session might be more suitable to a short session (one hour), there are no daylight restrictions and naturally it will be warm and cosy. However, a location shoot brings with it the beauty of serendipity or inspirational chance happenings when we have to fit-in with the elements of light, landscape and the good old British weather. Changing of attire might also pose a problem.

If your photo experience is studio-based it doesn't really make any difference, since mains-powered studio lighting will be used. So after work is fine - even on a Winter's day. On location, portable studio lighting is always brought along and this can result in some striking images. However, a potential issue might be caused with high winds which would prevent the use of the portable lighting stands. In this situation available light only would be used.

The studio is sufficiently large to accommodate up to 7 adults and a number of children depending upon there sizes. Please enquire. Naturally if we are shooting in an open space on location there is practically no limit. For portraits at your home, Patrick would have to make an assessment due to the limitations of the room used.

This is a good question. The studio recommends 8 weeks as being the ideal first photo opportunity but babies as young as 14 days have also been photographed.

Patrick uses two cameras and has a back-up camera in the car just in case.

There's no limitation apart from the photo session duration. On a one hour session there might be 60 images produced. Naturally enough it really depends upon several factors such as the number of people to be photographed, any duration taken-up by changing of attire, whether children are in a "happy" disposition etc.

Patrick is extremely patient when photographing children. There have only been a few instances when we had to "call it off". In those rare occasions we would re-schedule another convenient time or perhaps try a location/studio/home visit depending upon what the circumstance dictate. There is absolutely no point in trying to get great pictures with a sobbing child or one who is having one of those rare/unpredicatable tantrums. The key think is to play it by ear, as Patrick's Mum used to say.

Patrick would normally bring "provisions" for himself but a cup of tea would always be appreciated? Patrick doesn't drink alchohol. If the photo experience is at the studio, tea, coffee of a softdrink is on hand.

Patrick is more than happy to work with pets. However, the studio is up two flights of steps, which might need to be taken into account.

You will be able to view all the photographs to choose from.

There are two natural approaches. You can either (a) visit the studio and view the pictures on the 24” monitor and discuss any artistic treatments you might like or (b) view the images over the internet using your PC from the comfort of your home on a password-protected website. In the latter approach the images are quite small (due to download restrictions) but this method allows you to visualise a Black & White version of the images.

If you order a traditional album/portfolio which is in stock at the time of ordering the turnaround would be around 2-weeks maximum. If you purchase a canvas, the turnaround is about one week. Framed photographs might take longer than two weeks depending upon the framer's workload. If you order an Italian Story Book, the design of the layout will take a while and you will be able to review the design and make as many revisions as you wish until you are totally happy with the final preview. Once you have approved the layout, your wedding storybook will be to Italy for production and come back to the UK after 3-6 weeks (depending upon the workload at the monastry).

There are three methods: (1) We can deliver locally if required (at cost) (2) You can collect it from the studio or (3) we post it to you via recorded delivery/courier.

There is a viewing/purchase facility on the website; the link for which will be given to you.

Yes.
All images produced during the shoot will be backed-up and stored on DVD for as long as the DVD media is readable.

In this event Patrick would either appoint a stand-in photographer or postpone the shoot.

Yes, but naturally reasonable travel expenses/accommodation might be levied at cost.

Natural photos are always the best ones. The key thing is to enjoy the shoot - if you feel like smiling, smile.

The weather in the UK is unpredictable so Patrick has had plenty of experience of working in adverse conditions. His philosophy is simple - if the client is happy to try and soldier on he is too. The only condition that would necessitate calling-off the shoot is driving rain which would render the camera lens useless.