🦊 Guest Guide:Photography Sessions & Custom Lighting
📸 Session Types Q&A
Q: What’s the difference between Lightly Edited and Fine Art Premium?
A: Lightly Edited sessions use my custom edited preset for instant cinematic color and contrast. Fine Art Premium includes everything from Lightly Edited, plus 25–30+ minutes of detailed retouching per image enhancing eyes, smoothing fur, removing mesh visibility in pupils, and refining every detail for gallery quality results.
Q: Can I choose between studio and outdoor settings?
A: Yes! Both Lightly Edited and Fine Art Premium sessions are available in studio or outdoor formats. Studio sessions use controlled lighting and tethered capture; outdoor sessions use natural light with the same cinematic preset applied after the shoot.
Q: What’s included in the On-Location Lighting Add-On?
A: I bring my appropriate lighting rig we discuss to your location including battery-powered strobes, modifiers, stands, bounce, and subtractive lighting gear to recreate studio quality lighting anywhere. It adds drama, depth, and cinematic flair to outdoor or indoor shoots.
Q: How fast will I receive my photos?
A: Lightly Edited sessions are delivered same-day or next-day. Fine-Art Premium sessions take longer due to hand retouching each photo, typically 2–6 weeks depending on volume choice.
Q: Can I mix session types or upgrade later?
A: Absolutely. You can start with Lightly Edited and upgrade select images to Fine-Art Premium later. I’ll guide you through the best options based on your goals.
 Custom DIY Lighting Effects and Lighting Set UpÂ
My studio lighting Background setup is fully custom built. Plus additional lighting to create a lively, cinematic atmosphere that flatters fur textures, enhances eye detail, and adds emotional depth. Here is the various Lighting breakdown:
1. Soft Key Light with Warm, Neutral, or Gel Diffusion
Modified strobes with or without gels if needed and diffusion panels
Creates soft shadows and highlights that mimic the scenes lighting mood
2. Gridded Main Softbox Key Light
The main key light before the fill light
Direction of the main light can be chosen freely during the session
3. Rim Lighting for Character Separation
Barn doors and grids to control spill
Adds edge definition and depth, especially around ears and fur contours
4. Fill Light
Balances shadows without flattening the image
 Custom DIY Projection Mapping Light Boxes
Custom DIY Projection Mapped Slide Lens boxes that attach to studio lights
I print my own film slides that slide into the lens boxes to project background designs
Adds cinematic atmosphere and scenes/themes behind the subject without the need for green screen or photoshop
 Final Thoughts
Every session is designed to make your character feel alive, expressive, immersive, and emotionally present. Whether you choose Lightly Edited for speed and polish or Fine Art Premium for depth and artistry, you’ll walk away with portraits that feel unmistakably you.
If you have questions, want to customize your session, or need help choosing the right tier, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Upgrading Your Session
Anyone who has purchased a Lightly Edited session can upgrade to a Fine Art Premium session at any time. You also have the option to upgrade individual photos from your Lightly Edited session to Fine Art Premium quality by paying the difference in cost.
Difference Between Session Types:
Lightly Edited: Quick delivery with a custom preset for cinematic color and contrast, perfect for instant polished results.
Fine Art Premium: Includes all Lightly Edited benefits plus extensive hand retouching (25–30+ minutes per image) to enhance eyes, smooth fur, remove mesh visibility, and achieve gallery-quality, deeply refined portraits.
This flexibility allows you to start with a faster, more accessible option and elevate your favorite images or the entire session to a premium level when you’re ready.
🌞 Outdoor Sessions and Natural Lighting
For outdoor sessions using natural lighting, I bring professional bounce reflectors and subtractive lighting gear. Essentially reflectors and light blockers to shape and control the light. These tools help enhance natural light without using studio lighting equipment, ensuring your portraits have the same cinematic quality and depth whether indoors or outdoors.
Upgrading to the On-Location Lighting Add-On
Upgrading your outdoor session with the On Location Lighting Add On brings added depth and cinematic separation to your shots. This lighting setup recreates studio-quality control on location, enhancing contrast, texture, and mood to make your portraits stand out with professional polish and emotional impact.
Versatility of DIY Projection Mapping Backgrounds
The custom DIY projection mapping light boxes offer incredible versatility, allowing backgrounds and scenes to be changed within minutes. This means your full photo session can feature a wide variety of themes and backgrounds, perfectly covering all your needs and expressions without lengthy setup or post-processing. This dynamic approach ensures each shot feels fresh and uniquely tailored to your character's story and mood.