FAQs- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

* What is a "Session Fee?"
The "Session or Sitting Fee" is the charge for rendering our professional services. It covers the photographers’ time, an assistant if required and expenses. The fee will also vary depending upon if additional clothing changes are involved. This fee does not include any photographs.

* Scheduling Appointments.
We schedule all sessions -BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. This also includes appointments to view images, to place an order, wedding consultations or album pick-ups and returns. This will allow us to give you our best service and undivided attention. Should situations cause you to be late, please call us so we can attempt to adjust our schedule accordingly. We take pride in our record of being punctual with our appointments.

* Appointment Reservation Retainer
To schedule your appointment, it must be reserved with a retainer for the amount of the session fee.
This can be done by placing a credit card on file with your reservation or pre-paying by check. We cannot hold your appointment without one or the other. Studio appointments canceled at least (2) two business bays in advance will not incur any charges. Cancellations with less notice will be charged for the session fee at the time of cancellation. This charge will be applied in full to one rescheduled date within a 30-day period. "No Show's" are charged without option for reuse or refund.

* Will you photograph us outdoors or at our home?
Yes we can. If it is walking distance from the studio there is no extra charge. However, we charge a $50 location fee for most off premises photo shoots. For weddings, or locations further away than 10 miles, a round trip travel fee of 60 cents per mile is charged.

* Can we have an Appointment on an Evening or Weekend?
Our studio hours are Monday- Friday- 10-5:30. But for special circumstances we do offer session times on evenings and weekends as our schedule permits.
These appointments are given special consideration, as they are not during our normal business hours.
There are some stipulations to these special appointment times.
The first being, The Session-Fee may be higher, and it must be pre-paid by credit card or check when scheduling the appointment.
If you must cancel, for any reason, please give us at least 2 days notice. In the event of an emergency, and have to cancel the day before or the same day, please call and speak to one of us and we will gladly reschedule. Although the sitting fee will be charged at that time, it is non-refundable, but it is transferable one time to another date, provided the appointment is canceled more than two business days before the scheduled date.

* How Long Will My Session Last?
We normally allocate an hour for most sessions. Some appointments are scheduled for more time while business portraits and many children's sessions are only 30 minutes. This also includes time to allow for dressing.

* Can We Change Clothes At The Studio?
Yes, in fact it is normally better to do this at the studio to avoid wrinkles in the clothing that may show in the portraits. After a brief pre-session consultation with Dixie in the lobby, you will be directed to the private dressing room to change clothes. The time allotted for your session includes changing clothes before and after the session. Before viewing your images, we ask that you collect your clothing and personals so that the next customer may have access to the dressing room.

* Can I Bring Relatives or Friends with Me?
We recommend only one adult accompanies us into the camera room for the photo session. Unfortunately, additional visitors cause distractions and confusion that inhibits our ability to hold a child’s attention and create good images. For Bridal Portraits, we allow two guests into the camera room with the bride.
However, the day of your viewing (which may be the next day or following week, depending upon our schedule), you may bring up to 4 additional people with you. We always encourage both parents (Mom and Dad), to be at the viewing, as we do not allow any type of previews to leave the studio.

* When Will I See the Portraits?
At Photography by Dixie, we go to great lengths to pamper our clients. The day of your viewing appointment you will be seated on a nice comfortable sectional sofa, and can sit back and put your feet up. You will be served hot popcorn and cold soft drinks. We then dim the lights and you will get to view your portraits on a large 50 - inch screen complete with slideshow and surround sound.
You will have the experience to laugh, cry and truly enjoy yourself while seeing your portraits for the first time. One of our associates will then assist you in choosing your favorite images and answer any questions you might have. Most clients will choose thier portrait packages, and wall portraits at this time.
We suggest that you plan 60 - 90 minutes for viewing your portraits and placing your portrait order. For Business Portraits, oftentimes we can show you your images immediately following your photo session. However, for other situations, you may return within 1 - to - 7 days, to view your images.
This “projection or viewing appointment” is a special time we set aside for you, and we want you to be free from distractions during this time. Please Note: It is not advisable to bring young children to the viewing session, as they will quickly become restless.

* Who Can I Bring With Me, To View My Images?
Anyone you wish! Most importantly, make sure that everyone needed in the selection process or the financial decisions attend the viewing. If any one of these individuals cannot attend your appointment, please reschedule to another time when everyone can attend. This will allow us to efficiently utilize everyone's time.

* Can you remove my blemishes or Lines in my Face?
We have the ability to retouch and remove anything in your image that you don’t like.We pride ourselves in being a very high quality portrait studio and we can take care of these needs.There is a small additional charge for airbrushing and retouching. Please ask us about what all is available to make your portraits perfect!

* When Is My Payment Due?
The session fee is due in full the day you book your photo session. Portrait orders are to be paid in full at the time of ordering or pay 50% down, and pay the remaining balance due when the order is ready for pick up.
If you require us to split your orders, with another person paying for a portion, then we must require payment-in-full before a portion of the order can be released.
You may reorder any portrait by phone with payment by credit card or check at the time of the order. Unpaid balances held for more than 90 days are subject to 1.5% interest per month on the unpaid balance.

* I Would Like To Place a Larger Order but Cannot Afford to at This Time.
There are other options available! We can establish a layaway plan for you where you pay a series of regular payments each month until paid in full. By placing a credit card on file, we will automatically debit a small amount over a 60-90 day period.

* When Will My Portraits Be Ready?
Most orders are ready in 3 weeks. Custom portraits with artwork and retouching require additional time. Each order is unique and our sales associate will provide you with a specific due date for your order. Rush service is available for an additional charge.
 
 We guarantee our work 100%. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to being given the opportunity to create a portrait that is unique and priceless for you.
 

** Cancellation Policies. Very important, Please Read!
* What if I am unable to make my appointment?
We always call you and confirm your appointment several days before your photo session and viewing session, but please be advised that it is your responsibility to keep track of your appointment date and time.
We do understand that people get sick, or events happen sometimes, and people are unable to keep their appointments.
Please note our policies on this subject below.
If you cannot keep your photo session appointment, please call us and let us know, at least 24-hours prior to your appointment, so that we have the opportunity to schedule another person for that time. The earlier the better. Our photographer only takes 3 appointments per day and a missed appointment is economically damaging to our business.
If you call to cancel and it is LESS THAN 24 hours before your appointment time, then your session fee will be billed and is non-refundable. You will be required to pay a new session fee to schedule a new appointment time.
If you are unable to make your appointment, and you DO NOT CALL, and YOU DO NOT SHOW for your appointment, you will be billed a non-refundable $100, NO SHOW FEE. You must speak to a person and get a cancellation code. Call 761-5111 or toll free 1-866-684-9163 to cancel your appointment. After hours emergency phone number is 940-642-1772. You must speak to a person to cancel a Saturday or primetime appointment.
If you fail to show for a "primetime" or Saturday appointment, there will be a $200, no show fee billed. If you have a credit card on file, your card will be run for this fee. If a card is not on file, you will be sent a bill in the mail. This is for both Portrait Photo sessions, and for viewing appointments as well.
The photographer (Mrs. Dobbins) does everything in her power to make all appointments, however she is human, just as you are. There are times when family emergencies may call her out of town, or she gets ill or injured.
In the rare event the photographer is unable to make your appointment, her staff will notify you by telephone as early as possible. If she has to cancel or reschedule your appointment, then you will be given a $20 gift certificate good towards your portrait purchase package as a sign of goodwill.
There are no other photographers currently on staff to cover for the photographer, and we regret this inconvenience. In the event of a wedding and the photographer falls ill, or has some serious emergency, she will send a qualified, competent photographer in her place. In 23 years this has only happened one time. We are very proud of this track record.
"Beautiful Portraits aren’t expensive-They’re Priceless!"