Frequently Asked Questions

Booking a session is simple and streamlined. You can submit an inquiry through our online contact form, send an email to info@aperture.solutions, or call/text us directly at (734) 681-0716. We will discuss your creative vision, preferred dates, and specific session requirements. Once details are confirmed, we send a digital contract and retainer invoice. Once signed and submitted, your date is officially reserved.

Yes. A non-refundable retainer is required to officially secure your date and time on our calendar. This retainer is credited directly toward your total collection balance. The remaining balance is due prior to or on the day of your shoot (or 14 days prior to wedding dates). Retainers can be paid conveniently online via credit card, ACH, or electronic invoice.

We believe in transparent, value-driven investment without surprise add-on fees. Most portrait, senior graduation, family, and boudoir collections begin at $450. Executive corporate headshots start at $275 to $350. Wedding collections start at $1,000 for intimate elopements and $1,500 for full-day wedding celebrations. Custom branding, graphic design, publication layouts, and video motion projects are quoted based on specific project deliverables. Full pricing guides are available upon inquiry.

We understand that unforeseen events and illness happen. For portrait and headshot sessions, we offer flexible rescheduling with at least 48 hours advance notice at no additional charge, transferring your retainer to a mutually agreed new date within 6 months. For outdoor sessions affected by severe weather (rain, lightning, high winds), we monitor radar forecasts and reschedule at no charge. Wedding cancellations and rescheduling are outlined specifically in your wedding agreement.

Yes. For wedding collections and larger commercial branding projects, we offer customizable split-payment schedules (typically divided into 2, 3, or 4 installments leading up to your date). We want exceptional visual storytelling to remain accessible and stress-free.

Popular weekend dates during prime Michigan wedding season (May through October) typically book 6 to 12 months in advance. However, we also accommodate intimate weddings, weekday ceremonies, and elopements on shorter notice whenever our schedule allows. We encourage couples to reach out as soon as your venue date is confirmed to check availability.

All wedding collections include comprehensive photographic coverage by principal photographer Damion Fivenson, professional color correction and master retouching, an interactive password-protected online gallery, full-resolution digital downloads, and an unrestricted personal print release. You also receive an expedited sneak-peek gallery delivered within 48 hours of your wedding day so you can share highlights immediately.

Yes. Many of our wedding collections include an experienced associate second photographer, or one can be added to any custom collection. Having a second shooter allows simultaneous coverage of partner preparation, alternative angles during the ceremony, candid cocktail hour reactions, and seamless logistical flow throughout the day.

Timeline planning is a cornerstone of our service. Drawing on over a decade of visual storytelling and commercial production experience, Damion collaborates with you and your wedding coordinator weeks before the event. We map out your first look, family formal portraits, wedding party creative session, and optimal golden-hour sunset lighting windows, ensuring your day is relaxed and unforgettable.

Yes. While Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Birmingham, and Metro Detroit represent our primary local service area, we frequently travel across Northern Michigan (Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Petoskey, Leelanau Peninsula) as well as across the United States and internationally for destination celebrations. Travel arrangements are quoted transparently with zero hidden markups.

We recommend solid, rich tones or classic neutrals such as navy, deep charcoal, forest green, warm terracotta, crisp white, and cream. Avoid small checkered micro-patterns, neon shades, or heavy logos that draw optical attention away from your face. For professional headshots, tailored blazers and structured necklines project authority and polish. Upon booking, we provide a curated Wardrobe & Styling Guide tailored to your specific session type.

Absolutely. More than 90% of our clients tell us they feel camera-shy or unphotogenic at the start. Guiding you is our primary responsibility. Damion provides step-by-step posture coaching, natural movement prompts, hand positioning, and gentle micro-adjustments in chin and shoulder angles. We create a supportive, zero-pressure atmosphere where genuine expression and confidence emerge effortlessly.

Standard portrait and graduation sessions comfortably accommodate 2 to 3 distinct wardrobe looks (e.g., smart-casual, formal editorial, and cap-and-gown regalia). Personal branding and commercial sessions can incorporate 4 or more looks to provide a comprehensive content library for your website, marketing collateral, and social media feeds.

Corporate headshots and individual LinkedIn portraits are typically processed, retouched, and delivered within 5 to 7 business days. If you have an imminent press release, board election, or speaking engagement deadline, 24-to-48 hour rush delivery is available upon request.

Yes! Family portraiture is a beloved part of our studio work. We capture heirloom family moments both in-studio and across Ann Arbor's stunning natural landscapes. We specialize in keeping sessions playful, lighthearted, and engaging for young children and pets so your gallery reflects authentic family connection rather than stiff, forced poses.

For high school seniors, summer and early autumn (July through October) offer lush greenery and iconic Michigan fall colors, ensuring your images are ready well ahead of high school yearbook deadlines. For University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University graduates, late March through May captures early spring blooms and iconic campus architecture such as the Law Quad, Ross School of Business, and Michigan Stadium.

Yes! Personal props that celebrate your journey—such as college flags, musical instruments, athletic gear, beloved pets, and graduation stoles—are welcomed and encouraged. We also do creative celebration captures, including celebratory champagne pops on campus.

Discretion, trust, and physical comfort are our highest priorities. All boudoir sessions are hosted in our private Ann Arbor studio with locked doors, absolute privacy, and zero outside interruptions. Proofing galleries are encrypted and password-protected. We maintain a strict policy: we never post, share, or display boudoir imagery publicly on our website or social channels without explicit, written client consent and model release.

Yes, 100%. You are warmly invited to bring a female friend, partner, or family member to accompany you, assist with wardrobe changes, and cheer you on. Our studio environment is body-positive, professional, and dedicated to making you feel empowered, gorgeous, and safe.

We recommend bringing 3 to 4 varied ensembles: a supportive matching lingerie set, an oversized chunky knit sweater, an unbuttoned crisp white men's button-down shirt, a bodysuit, or a silk robe. Textures like lace, silk, and sheer mesh catch studio lighting beautifully. We review outfit options together at the start of your shoot to select what flatters your figure best.

Our private photography and design studio is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, operating strictly by appointment to guarantee personalized client privacy and dedicated focus. In addition to studio sessions, we frequently shoot on-location across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Plymouth, Northville, Birmingham, and Metro Detroit. Sessions can take place at outdoor parks, historic landmarks, or private residences.

Ann Arbor offers world-class backdrops. Top client favorites include the University of Michigan Law Quadrangle (gothic stone arches and lush courtyards), Nichols Arboretum (the Arb's forest trails, river overlooks, and peony garden), Matthaei Botanical Gardens (perennial gardens and glass conservatory), Downtown Ann Arbor & Nickels Arcade (urban brick and architectural charm), and Gallup Park along the scenic Huron River.

Standard outdoor portrait sessions at most public university lawns and city parks do not require special permits for small personal crews. For locations that require photography permits or reservations (such as indoor conservatory spaces), we guide you through the process. In the event of severe weather, we monitor local radar up to 2 hours before the shoot and offer complimentary rescheduling.

For portrait, senior, headshot, and boudoir sessions, full edited galleries are delivered within 10 to 14 business days. For full-day weddings, complete collections are delivered within 4 to 6 weeks, with an expedited preview gallery delivered within 48 hours. Rush processing is available if you require guaranteed faster delivery.

Yes. Every selected final image receives meticulous commercial-grade retouching by hand in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. We utilize high-end frequency separation and dodging/burning techniques to gently smooth temporary blemishes, soften harsh shadows, and tame stray hairs while preserving 100% of your authentic skin texture and natural beauty. We never use plastic-looking AI blur filters.

No, we do not release RAW or unedited camera files. Color grading, exposure balance, contrast sculpting, and artistic retouching represent the crucial second half of the Aperture artistic signature. Delivering only polished, high-resolution final works ensures every photograph bearing the Aperture name meets our exacting visual standards.

Your images are delivered via a private, cloud-hosted digital gallery accessible on desktop and mobile devices. You can download images in both full-resolution (optimized for large archival printing) and web-optimized resolution (for social media and digital sharing). Every session includes an unrestricted personal print release allowing you to print anywhere you choose.

In addition to fine photography, Aperture provides commercial visual design led by Damion Fivenson. Our multidisciplinary expertise spans corporate logo design and brand marks (Adobe Illustrator), editorial publication and book layout (Adobe InDesign), motion graphics (Adobe After Effects), commercial video editing (Adobe Premiere & Final Cut Pro), and executive presentation decks (Keynote, Numbers, Pages).

Principal designer Damion Fivenson brings a distinguished pedigree across visual design, creative design, and communications design across four separate teams at Apple, with live campaign work actively in market today. His background includes commercial photography and sales experience with Google and Samsung, as well as brand identity systems created for top Michigan design firms including Fivenson Studios and Airavata Studios.

Yes. Bundling commercial photography with brand design is one of our most popular corporate offerings. We photograph professional team headshots, workplace lifestyle imagery, and product assets, while simultaneously designing your brand identity, business cards, pitch decks, and website assets. This ensures flawless aesthetic cohesion across your entire marketing ecosystem.