I'm honored that you'd trust me with your first photoshoot! The main thing I want to emphasize is that, although my process is highly collaborative, I see it as my responsibility to guide you along the way, so you should not be afraid to ask me any questions during any part of the process! It's not only my job to bring my gear and skills, but it's also my job to help you think of why good images look good and how we can maximize the amount and quality of good images we create together. My community and client mantra is: "What matters to you matters to me."

Please wash and detail your car before the session, as close to the start of the session as you can—unless a dirty or grimy car is the aesthetic you're going for, then I'm down and I can make that look cool too!

This will vary depending on the type of session we're doing—for example, whether we're doing it indoors or outdoors, with a vehicle, with a pet, etc. But in general, I recommend coming dressed in something you feel comfortable and confident in. If we're at a location (such as a rental studio) that has a place to change clothes, I also encourage you to bring multiple clothing options to try during the session. I do not provide hair and makeup, but you are welcome to bring your own HUA (hair and makeup artist) for the session! I also have some referrals for HUAs in the Los Angeles area.

Unfortunately, given my personal obligations, my services are currently only available to those in the greater Los Angeles area. If you are not sure whether that includes you, definitely feel free to contact me!

It does, within reason! I don't want to put a hard line on this, but if you are truly unhappy with the images we make together, please reach out to me ASAP (no later than 30 days after your session) to let me know why. I'll then be happy to consider additional revisions and redos, and even potential refunds (total or partial). But in general, I want you to know that I see editing as an essential part of my process and have priced my packages and add-ons accordingly. When I send you my final edited images, I've done significant work to curate and represent what I think will best tell the story.

I don't have access to my own studio, so location scouting is part of my services for any package. For most clients, this will be moot because we will likely have an on-site photoshoot at some location of our choice—but I wanted to let you know anyway.

Cash, check, Venmo, and Zelle are my preferred methods.

For events, I ask for 50% up-front payment and then 50% after delivery (and your approval) of final edited images and, if applicable, video.

For all other types of photoshoots, I will take 100% after delivery (and your approval) of final edited images and, if applicable, video.

I can submit invoices upon request.

For events (which require 50% up-front payment), I will take cancellations no less than 48 hours before your session. Cancellations must be in writing, email OK. For all proper cancellations, I will provide a full refund of any then-paid amounts.

For all types of photoshoots, as a courtesy I ask that you let me know that you wish to cancel no less than 48 hours before your session, so I can re-fill my time.

Bodies: I shoot with two Canon mirrorless bodies: the R6II and R5II.

Lenses: I have an arsenal of Canon RF-native L lenses, both primes and zooms, that cover me from 14mm to 500mm. For fast-moving events, you will usually find me with zooms. However, for the very "artsy" shots I'm known for, I almost always use a prime lens, with my RF 50mm F1.4L VCM being likely my desert-island lens. In my early years of photography (decades ago), I was trained on primes only, and that's where I return to if given enough time and space to work. My primes render like paintings, and this is coming from someone who is also a painter.

Film?!: I also still have my first film camera that my dad got me: a Pentax MX, with two prime lenses (35mm and 50mm).

Other gear:

• A gimbal for videography, though my handheld technique is pretty solid. All that weightlifting has to count for something.
• A DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, though please note that at this time I am not doing paid drone footage because I have not yet gotten my part 107 commercial drone license.
• Lots of lighting gear, including off-camera softboxes and diffusers. I'm in the Godox ecosystem but also have a Canon speedlite that I adore.

Absolutely! Please reach out to me on my Contact page or via email at sam@samtlam.com.