General Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to contact you?
There are multiple ways to contact me. You can use the contact form page, you can call me at (210) 500-3553 or you can email me at ashley@ashleyballphotography.com Typically you will get your fastest response via a quick phone call, but I am happy to work with you in however you prefer to communicate.
Do I need to practice posing?
No! You don’t need to know any poses before your session. It is my job to pose you and make you look your absolute best. I know how to work with all of the different body types, face shapes, etc. to make sure that you look amazing in your photographs.
What do I need to wear?
Figuring out what to wear can be a daunting task when deciding to do a photo shoot. During our pre-session consultation we discuss everything from clothing choices, hair, makeup, nails, and even eyebrow grooming. If you look your best, you will feel great and that will translate into gorgeous photographs.
How do I book you?
Booking is easy. Just give me a phone call or email to select a date.
How far in advance should I book my portrait session?
I recommend booking at least one month in advance for portrait sessions. Headshots need to be booked typically 1-2 weeks in advance. This is not a requirement, but I strongly suggest it as my schedule fills up quickly and I work on a first come, first serve basis.
Will you hold my portrait date?
Unfortunately, I cannot hold or reserve dates without a retainer being paid with a signed contract.
Can I cancel my session?
Retainer fees are required to book your session date and are non-refundable. Sessions can be rescheduled in the event of an illness or emergency. A 48 hour notice is required to reschedule and your retainer will be applied to your new date. Rescheduling will be based only on the Photographer’s availability. Sessions can be rescheduled one-time only before a new retainer fee is required.
Are all of the pictures edited?
All selected portraits and headshots receive a high-end retouch.
How soon do I receive photos?
Your portraits will be available for viewing within two weeks of your session. Once you have paid your retainer for you session, I also book your viewing and ordering appointment. After your ordering appointment, products will arrive for pickup within 2-6 weeks with the exception of albums.
If you choose to order an album, I will design your album and will email you a proof. You are allowed to make revisions once, and any additional revisions will be charge at a rate of $350 per revision.
Are digital files included?
Digital files are available for purchase, however I will provide a digital file with each image that is purchased in an 8 x 12 or larger.
How many photographs from a portrait session will I receive?
The amount of pictures you get to view in your proofs PDF depends on how much time we spend together. You can expect from a headshot session to view 10-15 images. Other portrait sessions you can expect to see about 30+ proofs per hour of shooting or more.
Should we meet in person for the consultation?
I recommend at least a phone consultation prior to your portrait session, however if possible meeting in person is so much more fun. We will go over wardrobe selection and suggestions, hair and makeup styling, who will be in your pictures, date selection and most importantly what you are looking for from your pictures. My goal is to not only make you look and feel your best, but to deliver you photographs that you fall in love with. A detailed consultation will help in creating a portrait session you love.
What are payment terms?
Your retainer fee is due at the time of booking. I offer payment plans, however all money is due before products will be received by you. I accept payments by cash, check, Paypal, Venmo, and all major credit cards.
Is retainer refundable?
All retainers are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule your photo session, I require a minimum of 2 days notice. Sessions may only be rescheduled one time or your retainer is forfeited and you will need to pay another retainer to reschedule.
What does the session fee cover?
For headshot sessions the session fee covers the pre-session consultation, the time of the shoot itself, and high-end retouching for one high-resolution file delivered digital download. Additional files can be purchased as an add-on after your session. Headshot sessions DO NOT include hair and makeup.
For portrait sessions, such as high school senior sessions, the session fee covers hair and makeup (for one person), the pre-session consultation, the time of the photo shoot, editing, and the ordering appointment. It does not include digital files or prints.
Do I get the copyright?
As the photographer, I retain the copyright to all of the images, but with the purchase of your products I will also give you a print release, so that you may share or print images at any lab you choose.
Will you travel to a specific location for photos?
Yes! While I photograph sessions either at my home studio or at beautiful local locations, I am happy to travel to a specific location for you such as your office for headshots, but travel fees may apply. Any location more than 30 miles of Bulverde, Texas will incur travel fees. For more details, please send me an email with your desired destination, date, and additional information related to the photo shoot.
What is an ordering session?
The ordering session is scheduled at the time of your booking. During your ordering appointment, you will come to my home studio to view your images and select your prints, products, and digital files. At this time you will pay for your images or select a payment plan. All money is due before products or digital files are received.
Do you edit all of the images?
The editing process begins with me sending you a PDF proof of your best images. Afterward, you select your favorites. Your chosen photos will be sent to our retouchers for a high-end edit that is magazine worthy.
What is a high-end retouch?
With our high-end retouch you can expect removal of skin blemishes/ acne, facial shine, stray hairs, softening or removing of bags under your eyes, softening or removing fine lines, removal of braces, whitening teeth, smoothing of outfit, and removal of background distractions.
Do I get to choose my images?
Of course! I do the first round of culling the photographs and removing photos where eyes are closed, the camera misfires, or other unflattering images. I send you a proof of your best shots and you select the pictures that you love and want retouched.
Am I allowed to post my pictures on social media?
Absolutely! Yes! You are allowed to post your final images with high-end retouching. I love when my clients are excited to share their images on social media.I just ask that you give credit to Ashley Ball Photography either by tagging the photo or written in the post.
How many photos do I get to see in my proofs?
The amount of pictures you get to view in your proofs PDF depends on how much time we spend together. You can expect from a headshot session to view 10-15 images. Other portrait sessions you can expect to see about 30+ proofs per hour of shooting or more.
Can I have all of the RAW files?
RAW files are negotiated with corporate clients only.
What areas do you serve?
I offer sessions for headshots, and other portrait sessions in these areas surrounding San Antonio:
Adkins, Almo Heights, Amphion, Atacosa, Balcones Heights, Bandera, Bandera Falls, Bergheim, Boerne, Bulverde, Canyon Lake, Carpenter, Castle Hills, Castroville, Charlotte, China Grove, Christine, Cibolo, Comfort, Converse, Cross Mountain, D’Hania, Devine, Dunlay, Elmendorf, Fair Oaks Ranch, Fischer, Floresville, Garden Ridge, Geronimo, Grey Forest, Helotes, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Honda, Jourdanton, Kicaster, Kingsbury, Kircy, La Vernia, Lackland AFB, LaCoste, Lake Dunlap, Lakehills, Leesville, Leming, Leon Springs, Leon Valley, Live Oak, Losoya, Lyle, Macdona, Marion, McQueeny, Medina, Mico, Natalia, New Berlin, New Braunfels, Nixon, Northcliff, Olmos Park, Pandora, Pearson, Pipe Creek, Pleasanton, Poteet, Poth, Randolph AFB, Redwood, Rio Medina, San Antonio, San Saba, Sandy Oaks, Santa Clara, Saspamco, Sayers, Scenic Oaks, Schertz, Seguin, Selma, Shavano Park, Somerset, Spring Branch, St. Hedwig, Staples, Stockdale, Sutherland Springs, Tarpley, Terrell Hills, Timberwood Park, Universal City, Uvale, Vanderpool, Von Ormy, Waring, Welfare, Windcrest, Yancy, and Zuehl.
Headshot Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs headshots?
I personally believe nearly everyone needs an awesome headshot, but you can read more about all of the different businesses and industries that can benefit from a good headshot here.
Why do I need a good headshot?
Do you know what the first thing is that people see when they Google your name? Go ahead, google yourself, I’ll wait.
Do you know how employers or clients gather their first impression of you before even meeting you?
It's your headshot.
A good headshot can help to improve the impressions you make on others. It leads those who would otherwise pass over your information, to take notice and want to know more about you.
It may be tough to believe, but a good headshot will affect how people view you, your business or service. For example, if someone sees an amazing headshot of you, they might think "Wow! She looks so professional! I want to do business with her!" while the opposite could be true for someone who views a bad picture of you, a selfie or no picture at all.
In today’s digital day and age, your headshot is essential!
I offer professional headshots that will make you look your best. I will help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and capture your personality in each shot. I offer a variety of packages to suit your needs, with high-end retouching on every image you choose.
What is the difference between a headshot and a portrait?
Headshots and portraits primarily are different in their use. Headshots are used for business and branding purposes, while portraits are more personal and about you as an individual. People celebrate milestones markers such as high school senior portraits, college graduate portraits, maternity and newborn portraits, annual family portraits, generational portraits, and even portraits celebrating their new family pet.
Headshot and branding photos are used to market you for employment or for use in a business. They help future employers or clients connect with you and see who you are. They make a great a great first impression in your printed business materials and in online platforms.