WHEN WILL I SEE MY PHOTOS?
At the end of the session, we will set up a viewing appointment approximately 2-3 weeks later for you to view your images and our boutique of frames, albums, books and portfolio boxes. You will also have your own personal website of images to share with friends and family. Please allow 4-5 weeks for delivery and 6-8 weeks for Albums and Canvas. Detailed information will be provided upon booking.
WHAT IS A SESSION LIKE?
A typical session is lots of fun! I will first take time to play and get to know you and your child. When your child is relaxed and forgets the camera is there, their true expressions and personality will be come out. We may play with bubbles or toys. We may go to the beach and play in the ocean.
Asking children to be on their best behavior for their session is not only stressful.but unrealistic. Simply tell them that they are going to get to play and have fun. Letting go of your expectations of "the perfect shot" allows you to enjoy the day.
How long does a session take?
A typical session can last anywhere from between 20 minutes - 3 hours depending on the type of session. Feel free to bring juice and snacks, and we will take breaks if need be. A newborn session takes longer than most sessions. We allow plenty of time for cuddling, nursing and whispering the baby back to sleep. Please allow up to 3 hours for a newborn session.
Where is your studio?
The world is our studio! Most sessions are done on-location, either at your home or an indoor or outdoor location of your choice. There are so many amazing places that can suit your personality much better than a studio setting can. I have a full mobile studio available so we are limited only by our imaginations. However I also have a home office where I offer some limited edition and newborn sessions.
HOW FAR WILL YOU TRAVEL TO PHOTOGRAPH ME OR MY CHILD?
I travel to Maalibu, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Century City, Venice, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Chatsworth, Calabasas, Camarillo, Orange County and surrounding areas. Any session location farther than 50 miles will be charged $1/mile. National and international travel is welcomed and rates are negotiable.
What are your rates?
All of the pricing information can be found on the website under Investment.
Prints and boutique items are not included in our session fees.
How do I book a session?
Contact Merrilyn Romen at 424-234-1095 or send a message here to book your session, or if you have any other questions.
How far in advance should I book my session?
Newborns are scheduled for a flexible time slot around their due date, and are best scheduled when the mother is still pregnant. Newborns should be under 10 days old to get the most impressive photos. Holiday sessions should be booked as early as possible to avoid missing card and framing deadlines.
When is the best time to book a newborn session?
Newborns are best photographed within the first 10 days of life. Older babies have a harder time relaxing and falling asleep, making it harder to capture those beautiful curly, sleepy newborn shots that we all adore. Mothers-to-be should call before the baby arrives to reserve a session time around the due date. Once the baby arrives call and we can book a solid appointment.
What is included in the session fee?
See Investment.
I DON’T HAVE ANY MORE WALL SPACE. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY PHOTOS?
We can create gorgeous coffee table books, albums DVD slidewhows and skinny collages that work with anyone’s environment.. Our books make the most amazing keepsakes for your children and will be shared for generations to come.
WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS DO YOU OFFER?
Besides gift prints (5 x 7 and under), we also offer wall portraits framed or unframed and canvas prints, fully designed wall galleries, DVD slideshows, metallic prints, coffee table books, guest books (for showers, first birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet 16 parties, graduations and anniversaries), mini-albums and flush-mount albums. We have many frames to choose from including children's room frames and all of our framing is archival quality. We offer museum (non-glare glass), as well.
You may also choose collage frames and storyboard collections. and cards (birth announcements, parties, save the date, holiday, and more). We will provide you with a full catalogue and price list at your session so you can plan your new gallery and collection of art!
What kind of lighting do you use?
Any and all light!
Do you take family portraits?
Yes! Family portraits can be a bit more formal or are taken in the same relaxed, casual style as other portraits - non-posed and non-traditional. I love to capture the natural interactions between people, the real unity of a family.
Can I buy the digital files from my session?
Absolutely! We know how important those files are to you and your family and we want you to have them FOREVER! We offer a high resolution photo CD with a presentation box. See Investment page for digital sessions.
That said, with so many photo printers around these days, it's easy to find a cheap place to make enlargements of your digital files. What's not so easy is finding a place that will consistently do a GREAT job with those files. As much as we want you to have your files, we also want you to have some really nice, professional quality prints for your home!
DO YOU HAVE A REFERRAL PROGRAM?
As a small business owner, my success depends greatly upon customer satisfaction and word of mouth advertising. Therefore, for every person you refer and who books a session you will receive a $100 print credit!
WHO IS NICO MOON?
Nico Moon is a fictitious trademarked name that represents all of the artistic endeavors created by Merrilyn Romen. Try to spell Merrilyn Romen in a Google search and you will see why we chose a name that was easier to remember and spell! It also represents the changing phases of a person's life which we love to photograph.