The Experience

ABOUT YOUR SESSION

We are going to have the BEST time creating memories that you will be able to cherish for a lifetime. Once you decide to book a session, I will reach out to you via email and provide all the details necessary to help lower your stress for the session – I want this to be so easy and fun for you – so I’ll do the heavy lifting. To help you muddle through the process, here is a little basic information on what to expect from your session with Norma Fayak Photography. Everyone has lots of options when it comes to choosing a photographer, and I’m honored you are here to check me out! I do hope you spend some time browsing around and getting a feel for my style. 

“I’LL NEVER FORGET MY FIRST NEWBORN PHOTO SESSION WITH NORMA IN 2016 WITH MY FIRST KID.   I WAS 7 DAYS INTO BEING A MOM AND WAS A MESS!  SHE WAS SO PATIENT AND KIND…SHE TRULY PROVIDED AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FELT SO CALM AND WARM, AND HER PERSONALITY MATCHED RIGHT WITH IT!!! WE’RE NOW ON BABY 3 AND NORMA HAS DOCUMENTED EACH CHILD FROM MATERNITY TO FIRST BIRTHDAYS AND EVERYTHING INBETWEEN. ALL OF OUR SESSIONS WITH NORMA WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER!”
– Lane Fridline

BOOKING A SESSION

Upon receiving your inquiry, I will send a proposal with my price guide and booking form. You’ll be able to select your session(s), complete the client agreement and pay, all in one document. If you have questions about anything on that form or want to book via check or cash(10% cash savings)- contact me via the contact tab or info@normafayakphotography.com. Payment is required to hold your spot. Payment plans are available upon request.

WANNABE SUNDRENCHED? The best time of day (and normally the only time I shoot because goldenhour is life) is late evening for any outdoor session. These all take place weekdays within 2 hours of sunset. I know this can be a bit rough with little people, but good lighting is so important to a perfect session so it’s worth making that minor adjustment for just one day to have those memories that last a lifetime.  

PRO TIP: if you want an earlier session time— consider late fall or early spring when the sun sets earlier in the day 😉 

All studio sessions are scheduled weekday mornings or early afternoons.

Once you’ve booked your session you’ll be invited to your personal client portal. There you will have access to all of your booking info such as appointments, contracts, and session prep guides with more detailed information on what to expect. I will help you through every aspect of the session from start to finish! 

BEFORE YOUR SESSION

I want to know all about YOU!!  This ensures I know exactly who you are, what you want and helps me plan a session that works for you.  Before the session, we may communicate often so we are both fully prepared and to ease the stress that can come with photo sessions.  After you book your session, I will email you a questionnaire to fill out with information about you (and your family members, if applicable) and what you want to get from your session. This information is super important, so I ask that you do it right away.

Lets style! Finding what to wear is not as hard as you may think! Not only do I have a large variety of clothing for Women and children in my client closest – I have a list of the BEST places to shop for your family that will photograph beautifully. Part of what makes your session so unique is choosing the right clothing and using a color palette that compliments our location, my branding and editing style.  Don’t worry! Upon booking you’ll get all the tips and secrets for wardrobe and you’re even welcome to come to my studio to try on and handpick your outfits and accessories!

DURING YOUR SESSION

This is the fun part!  I will always arrive before you to scout out the best locations for light and safety.  Photo sessions can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the session chosen. Your session will include a variety of posed photos and artistic photos, then we will just play, and I will capture your family being YOU.  I will give you some guidance and pointers when we are shooting, but really, I just want you to love on your family as if I’m not even there.  It’s super important for you to relax and just have fun. Don’t stress about your kids or your hair, or everything being perfect. I know we can get frustrated with our kiddos – but keeping fun, laid back and stress free is the best way to get the most natural memories. Let them have fun and express themselves. 

AFTER YOUR SESSION

Galleries are ready typically within 30 days of your session and images are sent to you via digital download. You’ll receive an email explaining the entire process, so you know exactly what and when to expect your images.

“Family photos with Norma Fayak is truly an amazing experience which starts well before the shoot. Exceptional locations and even a wardrobe offered to my family. Her attention to detail and patience with my infants and toddler made it a pleasant experience. She paused for diaper changes, feedings and made time to calm my fussy babies. In doing so, she was able to capture beautiful shots of my family without the fuss. Over the last three years I’ve used her services for milestone birthdays and Christmas photos and I have no regrets. Norma is a pro and I highly recommend her!”
– Jennea Correia

What should I wear?

Need some help finding the perfect outfits for your family? Consider the location we’ll be shooting and the season we’ll be in. Think about the style and colors used in your home and find a complementing color palette.

  • Earthy colors – try to select lots of earthy tones in your wardrobe to complement    the setting
  • Patterns – keep them simple! Stay away from large bold prints.
  • Texture – bringing in texture through layering pieces like a scarf, necklace, cardigan or shawl. And ACCESSORIZE!
  • Ask about my client’s wardrobe! I have dozens of maternity and non-maternity dresses for clients to use during our sessions, even a handful of children pieces. 
life is good when
you spend it with
people who make
your heart happy

Pricing

LETS CREATE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PHOTOS YOU’VE EVER HAD WITH THE  PEOPLE YOU LOVE THE MOST 

Whether you’re welcoming a new baby to your family or documenting your children as they are (silly, wild and fearless of course!)   I understand just how important these photos are now and will become. Trust that I don’t take that responsibility lightly. As a mother myself, these fleeting moments and little personalities are what drive me to tailor something so unique for your family. My goal is to create memorable images you’ll love now and forever.

  • Sessions begin at $1050 for Child & Family
  • Products begin at $190

What’s next? Every session begins with a conversation. Contact the studio today. I can’t wait to hear from you!

“We had a wonderful experience working with Norma on our maternity photoshoot. We loved every minute: Norma is friendly and energetic but also totally relaxed and natural, and she put me and my husband completely at ease throughout the whole photoshoot. And the pictures are absolutely amazing – I can’t think of a better or more beautiful way to celebrate my pregnancy.”
– Anne France-White

Q+A

Yes, my studio is located in the heart of Historic Occoquan, nestled between Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant and the Route 123 bridge in the River Walk Shops. Coffee shops, restaurants, antiques, boutiques etc… all within walking distance.

125 Mill St. Suite
Suite #9
Occoquan, VA 22125

Newborn sessions take place in my Occoquan storefront studio. Clients travel from all over the Washington DC Metro area including: Baltimore, Ashburn,  Alexandria, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, Middleton  and surrounding cities in.  It’s not uncommon to have clients travel 1-2 hours for their family session.

That time when the chaos can take over the beauty, leaving you with blurred memories in between doctor and nurse visits. Not to mention the millions of questions you have after delivering a newborn. It’s becoming more and more common to have your newborn professionally photographed in the hospital. Many times, parents aren’t offered a hospital photographer or there are none on site.  Fresh 48 hospital sessions are simply taken within the first 48 hours after birth. I come to you in the hospital or home birth, during daylight hours to meet your baby and document their freshest firsts.

Yes. Birth photography is extremely limited, and each inquiry is considered based on availability and your due date.  Please email me with your birthing location and expected due date to info@normafayakphotography.com or submit a contact request.

Yes. There is an additional fee to cover travel expenses, setup/takedown of equipment for in-home convenience. This type of scenario works great for families that culturally do not bring newborns out of the home the first several weeks or family’s that prefer a more intimate session with a new baby in the comfort of their own home. Avoid the fee and consider a lifestyle session.

A lifestyle session is simply a session that has less focus on posing and more focus on documenting your life “as it is”. Your home is an intimate space where we have the opportunity utilize areas of your home as our backdrop. Reading books, cuddling on the couch and jumping on the bed. Whatever it takes to have a great time and how we do it is completely up to you. With my direction you can be sure to show true emotion and happiness with your family. **Giggles required!**

Maternity and/or Newborn sessions: It is HIGHLY recommended that you reserve these sessions in advance, ideally in your 2nd trimester to soft book your due date. Please do not wait. Baby milestones and maternity sessions should be scheduled minimum 6-8 weeks before the actual milestone.

*Last minute bookings are considered.

The best time to schedule your maternity session is between 32-34 weeks. This means booking should be done in your second trimester to ensure availability and allow time to stylize the session.  We can meet at the studio to try on the gowns and dresses available in the client wardrobe. 

Yes! The client wardrobe is available to all clients. I have an assorted collection of women’s, children, and baby pieces.  Dozens of dresses that can be used for maternity or non-maternity, and a selection of children and baby wear. 

It’s hard to know exactly WHEN your baby will arrive, so we use your due date as a plate holder or “soft” booking. Once your newborn arrives let me know within 24 hours so we can schedule the actual session date on the calendar. 

  • Posed fine art newborns in the studio are usually scheduled within the first 2 weeks of birth. This is when they’re still sleepy for those curly womb-like poses.
  • Lifestyle newborn sessions can be scheduled 1-6 weeks postpartum.

**All sessions are booked in advance, occasionally there are last minute openings when babies come early or later than expected. Please don’t hesitate to ask 🙂 ***

Milestone and family sessions should be scheduled a minimum of 10-12 weeks in advance.  Due to the number of returning clients that continue to book milestones and family portraits year after year availability is limited.

YES! There are over 50 gowns (and counting) in the “Studio Wardrobe” for mothers to borrow during their session. Floral crowns are also available to wear during our session. Want to purchase your own SEW TRENDY maternity gown? You can order yours here and receive 15% off with my referral code: http://i.refs.cc/ffvOzNaH?u=1538745151853

The full amount is required to secure all sessions. Payments are available upon request.  All hand edited digitals are uploaded into an online gallery for clients to download to a computer. To order wall art we will meet in person for an ordering appointment.

Posed newborn sessions in the studio average 2.5-3 hours to accommodate feedings, diaper changes and transitioning between poses. Length of lifestyle, fresh 48, Milestone, maternity and family sessions average 30-90 minutes depending on the package selection.

Just the essentials in the diaper bag! Everything needed for a newborn session including all photography props are available in the studio. You do not need to bring additional items unless you have something sentimental such as a family heirloom.  Most store purchased items are too large for newborns and not used at our session. The studio is stocked with handmade custom sized props in jewel tones, pastels, and neutrals.

Almost everything in use in the portfolio and on social media are available in the studio.  and orders from high quality vendors experienced in the best sizes for newborn sessions…bonnets, sleepy caps, beanies, headbands, floral crowns, wraps, textured knitted layers, antique quilts, buckets, bowls. outfits.  Items are for newborn -12m and a few extra in toddler sizing.  Items are added frequently and the hunt for unique props is ongoing.

Due to the work I do with newborns it is very important that I keep a strict “no-sick” policy. Sick babies, children and parents are not allowed in the studio. Please call at least 24 hours prior to our session date to reschedule.

Most sessions include Parents and siblings.  They are encouraged to participate. There are some packages that are baby only due to time allotted for the session.

Current turnaround for final images is 30 days after your session.

Full payment is due to soft book your due date or reserve any session. Most clients reserve multiple sessions in advance from maternity to babies first birthday and invest an average of $2800-6k in sessions and products. Payments are available upon request but must be complete prior to our session.

*Please Call 703-220-5088 for more client information and to schedule your session  or email:  info@normafayakphotography.com .Sessions are booked in advance, occasionally there are last minute openings.