Frequently Asked questions. These are most commonly asked questions. Should you not find the answers that you are after, please either call the studio on 01455 271371 or email your enquiry to info@ianpickering.com
What are your opening hours?
Our office hours are 10am - 5pm – Monday - Friday. Our studio is open for shoots and viewings most of the weekend, Including Saturdays and Sundays and Evenings by appointment only.
Is there anywhere to park near your studio?
Yes, we have a car park right next to our studio, which will hold up to 4 cars.
How many photographs do you take and how long will the session take?
During a typical family shoot, we will take around 150 images and allow around 1 hour for the session. From those 150 images, we will edit and select around 50 images to display to you at your very own designer slideshow, for you to make your selections from.
I’d like to purchase an Ian Pickering Studio experience for a present – what are my options?
There are two vouchers available for an Ian Pickering Studio Experience.
£25 – to include the session and 5x7 presentation print
£49 – to include the session and framed 10x8 print.
You can purchase both of these online – and we can forward you out a gift pack to pass on explaining what’s what. Please click buy now or telephone 01455 271371 to order your chosen package
After purchasing a voucher online, how is an appointment made?
After purchasing a studio experience, we will send you a gift pack which is valid for 12 months, you or the recipient can then contact us to make a booking at a time convenient to you.
Once an appointment is made, is it possible to change it?
We understand that it is sometimes necessary to change an appointment. All we ask is that we are given as much notice as possible to allow us to fill the slot with an alternative appointment.
How many people can attend an Ian Pickering Studio Experience?
We have had up to 20 people in our studio for one session, please let us know the numbers when booking, this will help us plan the shoot before you arrive. We will take different combinations depending on your requirements.
Can we bring along our dog?
Yes of course, pets are more than welcome as they are often very important members of the family. Please make the studio aware that a pet will be attending the shoot when making the appointment. To date, we have photographed dogs and cats, but however, are always open for new challenges.
Will there be anywhere for us to change our clothes? And what should we wear?
Our portrait sessions are fairly informal and we therefore suggest that your attire is not too formal. For family photographs, we recommend you keep the clothing look/colours within one scheme, rather than everyone wearing their favourite top which can look a bit of a jumble altogether. There is always time to allow for changing your clothes at the studio if you so wish, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing.
Do you offer hair and make-up make-overs?
We do mini makeovers for our photoparties of groups of 6 or more. Prices start at £20 per child. Should you like to hire our hair and make-up specialist, please discuss when booking – prices start at £50 for 1 hour.
Can we look at the images straight after the session?
Unfortunately not. We are a very professional studio and finish the images to a very high standard. Once your images have been taken, they are then edited and cleaned up and designed into a unique presentation ready for your viewing. This can be within one week. We make the appointment for the viewing after the photographic session is complete.
How long does the viewing last?
Generally, the viewing will take around 1 hour.
What should I bring along to the viewing?
Please bring your partner and any other family members who would like to see the pictures. We can seat up to 8 persons comfortably. Full payment is required when you place an order, unless using our Interest free Payment Plan. You will need to bring along banking details to take advantage of this.
What are the options for purchasing additional images?
All the images that are shown to you at your viewing will be available for purchase. All our work is sold framed, or in different collections and packages, including prints in folders – All our frame collections are sold ready to hang on the wall – prices range from £75 to £850 with many other prices and options in between. Our charges for our frames are based on the actual size of the frame and we do not charge extra for collections of images within one frame.
Can we buy our portraits on disk?
Yes, we do offer this very popular service – The minimum fee to release the copyright is £300 for 6 images. Your favourite images will be burnt to disk as jpgs each at full print resolution ready for viewing a printing at home. This is a cost effective way to share the pictures throughout your family, and by sharing them on facebook. Larger quantities are available.
Can I pay by credit/debit card?
Yes you may. Please speak to our sales advisor during the viewing for further details. We accept most major credit and debit cards, together with cheques and of course cash.
Do you offer a payment plan facility where we spread the cost?
Yes, We offer a 12month interest free payment option (subject to status) for all purchases over £400. An initial payment of at least 25% is required, with the remaining balance spread over the following 12 months Interest Free.
Can I bring my children along to the viewing?
We recommend parents not to bring very young children between the ages of 1 and 7 in to the viewing. In our experience young children can get tired very quickly during viewing hours, and you will find it more difficult to concentrate and make your choices.
When will my portraits be ready?
All our frames are bespoke and made to order. Generally, they will be ready to collect within 4 weeks – let us know in advance if you need them urgently, we will always try our best to do them quickly for you if at all possible.
Do you keep the picturess on file?
The images you choose for your order are kept for 6 months, whilst the rest of the pictures are kept up for 3 months. Should you wish to come back within 3 months for a re-view, we have to make a of charge £25 for the additional viewing.
What will happen if our relatives would like to view and purchase some of the pictures?
Yes, that’s fine, they are welcome to come along to the viewing so they can enjoy the show too. If they are unable to make the viewing date, we can rebook an additional time for £25.
