Frequently asked questions
What types of photography do you specialize in?
We specialize in two things around Snohomish County and King County that are incredibly important to us: family portraits and senior graduation portraits.
We love capturing the deep connections a family shares because we know how fast time goes by. We can't stop it, but we can preserve a beautiful memory that becomes part of your family's story forever. To us, this is next to sacred.
Senior portraits are pure fun. It's an honor to help these young adults celebrate who they are and the exciting new chapter they're about to start. We love helping their unique and creative spirits shine through in every portrait.
What is your creative philosophy when it comes to portraits?
My number one priority is for your portraits to be authentic. We want to highlight the personality, passions, and unique spirit that make you who you are. While we do use professional retouching to handle things like temporary blemishes or to refine posture, we will never make you look like something you're not.
Additionally, in a world where great customer service is hard to find, we want you to be completely confident in your experience from start to finish. Your complete success is our responsibility. As we like to say, we aren't happy until you are happy.
What is the recommended lead time for booking a session?
You're asking a great question! Many people wait until the nice weather hits to start thinking about photography, and that's completely understandable. However, during the peak summer months, this often means a wait of 4 to 6 weeks for the next available date.
To ensure you get your desired timing, we highly recommend planning as early as possible and scheduling your initial consultation sooner rather than later.
For family portraits, aim to book well before the May-June-July rush.
For senior grad portraits, you'll want to get ahead of the July-August-September-October rush.
It's also good to remember that the rainy season typically returns in late October and continues through November.
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE with Jared M. Burns Photography LIKE?
We have a carefully crafted “Full-service” process that starts with an initial, in-person consultation. We’ll work to develop a custom plan as we come to know and understand you. Next, we schedule the date for the portrait sitting, and we hear all the time, “The portrait sittings were more fun than I expected!” We've helped people look their best for years, and we love the process of coaching and connecting with them. We’ll laugh along the way, and you will look amazing as we go. Within a week or so, we get together for an ordering appointment where you’ll preview the images, and we’ll help you narrow it down to the must-have favorites. Our desire is for you to purchase the images you truly love on the products you want in your home. As a full-service provider, we’ll help you bring the portraits to life as custom works of art and personally deliver them to your home. GET STARTED
But Why an IN-PERSON CONSULTATION FIRST?
While we could simply show up and shoot without knowing people and their goals, we've found that having a personalized plan makes all the difference. The best artwork comes from understanding your story first. This is why we believe the portrait process starts long before the portraits are made. We find that personalized artwork people are proud to display in their homes always begins with understanding your story, your identity, and what you hope to capture in this unique stage in life. People say we ask thoughtful questions no one else thought to ask, or that we take the time to carefully understand and guide them to the solutions that are perfect for them. The in-person consultation is the best way to do this! It is an opportunity to hear your heart, plan the elements of the session that are relevant to you, see the walls you hope to decorate with love, and walk through the possibilities together. Once you’ve seen all we can do, and if you decide it is not for you, there’s no obligation to move forward. We want you to understand everything before making any decisions. LEARN HOW TO SCHEDULE A CONSULT
What does “full-service” mean?
“Full-service” is a little different than what you might have experienced with other providers. It means we take care of everything, from capturing stunning images to creating beautiful art and keepsakes for your home. We offer a wide variety of amazing products, but we only want you to have what you adore. You are in control. There are no minimum order requirements beyond using the credits included with your sitting fee. LEARN MORE
What packages do you offer?
We believe you should have complete freedom when it comes to your personalized art. That's why we offer "however you like it" options across most of our product lines. While we used to offer packages, we soon realized there was always at least one item clients didn't want in the savings bundle. Now, you have full control over your choices. If there's something we offer that doesn't fit your vision, you simply don't have to buy it. If you love it and want it for your home, we make that happen.
Where do you shoot?
That's a fantastic question, and the answer often depends on your family's identity or the senior's unique personality! We want to get to know you and your story so we can guide you to one of the many incredible locations we know and love right here in Snohomish County and the Great Northwest.
Whether you envision your portraits in nature, by the mountains, on a farm, at a park, in a field, within an urban setting, or against a grunge, studio, water, beach, or architectural backdrop—we have a perfect spot you're sure to love.
Sometimes, families even have access to their own unique and exclusive locations, like an airplane hangar, a race track, private gardens, or beautiful vacation homes and resorts. If you have a special place like that in mind, it could make your shoot truly legendary, and we definitely want to hear about it!
Can you help me pose or know what to do with my hands?
This is a very common worry, but you can put your mind at ease. I'm an expert in posing and posture coaching, and I'll be right there to guide you. I'm trained to help you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera, and I know exactly what works for men, women, and kids of all ages.
My job is to make this fun and easy for you. There's no need to feel awkward or try to be someone you're not. We'll laugh and joke as we go, and I'll even demonstrate the poses myself, so you can laugh at me first!
Are pets welcome at portrait sessions?
We absolutely encourage you to bring your well-mannered and socialized pets! They are cherished members of your family, and we'd love to include them in your portraits.
If you're unsure how your pet might react to new people or equipment, let's chat about the best options. Sometimes, keeping them on a short leash or having an extra family member on hand to manage them can help you relax and focus during the session. However, a good rule of thumb is: when in doubt, leave them out.
Do you offer Hair and Makeup Services?
Yes, we absolutely understand the power of professional hair and makeup! We know that when you feel confident, it shines through in your portraits, and that's pure magic.
That's why we partner with a highly sought-after hair and makeup artist who works exclusively with a select group of high-end portrait photographers. She's an expert in all the professional techniques needed to ensure you look flawless and radiant under our studio lighting. Her artistry will enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence, resulting in truly stunning portraits you'll adore.
Are you available for travel?
Yes, we are happy to travel around Washington State and the Northwest when the job is right and we have availability in our schedule. We even provide some limited destination sessions for families and senior grads that go further to other iconic places around the US. Contact us for more details. The prime summer and fall dates always book up early, so we encourage you to plan ahead and contact us well in advance if timing is important. LEARN ABOUT TRAVEL OPTIONS
How long does it take to receive our photos?
We believe in quality over quantity, which is why we only work with one or two clients at a time. This allows us to give you our undivided attention both during your session and as we perfect your portraits afterward. Once you've chosen your favorites, we get right to work on retouching. Most of the time, your finished portraits will be back from our lab and ready for you in just one or two weeks. For special, handcrafted items like albums, we ask for a little more time to ensure they're perfect. Please let us know if you have any time constraints, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Can I purchase the digitals?
Yes, of course! We offer the digital files from your session as an "Archival Collection." This includes the full-resolution digital files with a license for all your personal use needs. One other little detail our clients especially love is that we provide matching social media files of everything purchased on art…and that’s always a gift on us!
Can I have the RAW files?
We believe in delivering a complete, finished work of art—it’s what our clients come to us for. Releasing unedited files would simply fall short of the standards and artistic vision people expect. If you're thinking about the RAW images because you have a particular editing style in mind, please let us know. We would love to collaborate with you to make sure your portraits are absolutely perfect.
DO YOU OFFER PRINTS AND PRODUCTS?
We're proud to offer an end-to-end experience, meaning we're with you from the first click to the moment your beautiful, finished art is in your hands. While we do offer standard gift prints and keepsakes, our specialty is creating custom art for your home. We use exclusive, museum-quality materials like fine papers, canvas, metals, and acrylics to ensure your portraits are worthy of a gallery. Our clients are also impressed by our collection of frames, which includes everything from classic wood tones to incredibly ornate styles. Of course, our luxury, made-in-the-USA albums are a huge hit with senior grads and families, as they can be completely customized, from the cover material to the pages inside.
Can you send me the online gallery?
We believe that leaving you with an online gallery doesn't provide the level of service you deserve. We've found that people don't like it when a photographer bails on them during the final, most important part of the process—the part where you decide what to do with the images.
We are there for you every step of the way. Our end-to-end service means we're with you from our first conversation to the moment your beautiful, finished art is in your hands. Think of us as a personal guide or concierge; we'll help you narrow down your favorites, select the perfect products for your home, and ensure every portrait is exactly what you envisioned. You are in control—we're just here to help you navigate all the details that feel overwhelming.
Do you offer any retouching or editing services?
Yes, and always! We are creating personal works of art about your life, so master-level retouching is included with every product we provide! Stray hairs, skin blemishes, softening, shiny skin, or unsightly lint or hairs on clothing are not something you need to worry about. We handle all the corrections before sending your images out for final production.
What if it rains?
If we are working outdoors, we want you to have the best portrait experience possible! We are familiar with the Northwest weather pattern and closely monitor it leading up to your session. No one wants to take a gamble on their portraits, so when bad weather looks likely, we will proactively reach out to you 1-2 days in advance with flexible scheduling options.
How long does a typical session last?
Most families find a 1-2 hour session is the perfect amount of time. For senior graduates, however, we suggest a 2-3 hour session. This gives us plenty of time to capture more creative shots and a wider variety of images.
Do you offer mini sessions?
We're not currently booking mini-sessions, but it never hurts to ask! We do sometimes hold special, limited-time portrait events for our clients.
How many photos will we receive?
How many portraits you get is entirely your choice. It really comes down to the session length you pick and the images you fall in love with. Our philosophy has always been that you should only buy the images you truly adore, and get them on the art and products you want to display in your home. We'll give you all the specifics once we chat about your goals.
Every sitting includes a retainer and a product credit to book your date. There's never any pressure to purchase more than what's included, but we've found that most clients are so delighted with the quality of our finished products that they can't help but want more once they see the difference. All completed prints and products are personally delivered to your door.
What should we wear for our photo session?
That's an excellent question, and one we're excited to discuss with you in detail! We always start with an initial consultation because planning your wardrobe is one of the most important parts of the process. So many things influence what you should wear, including your family's unique style, the season, your skin tones, the style of portraits you want, the location, and where you plan to display the final art.
We're here to be your guide through it all. We'll give you a guide to get you started, but more importantly, we'll walk you through all of your options, even showing you visual examples of what works and what doesn't. This way, you'll feel completely confident about your choices and ready to shop with confidence.
Can you provide a guarantee?
It's our job to provide you with so much amazing variety that you'll have trouble choosing! This won't be like those stories you hear from others where "only one or two images turned out." Our goal is to give you too many great options that you'll absolutely love.
If, for any reason, you reach your ordering consultation and aren't delighted with any of the images, we haven't done our job. In that rare case, we will gladly refund your full sitting fee and product credit. The risk is truly on us.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I use some of the highest-quality Nikon mirrorless cameras and professional Z-mount lenses available today. I'm also trained in advanced lighting techniques, using powerful studio strobe lights to handle complex lighting situations that most photographers would never know how to address.
For editing, I use professional-level Adobe software on custom-built computers with superior processing power. This allows me to perfect every image. Finally, for printing and products, I work exclusively with high-end photo labs that are not available to the public, ensuring the highest quality for your finished art.
What is the general cancellation or rescheduling policy (beyond bad weather)?
We understand that major life events can happen unexpectedly. If you need to reschedule, we kindly ask for at least 72 hours' notice. We'll be happy to help you find another convenient time on our calendar.
To ensure fairness to all our clients, please note that subsequent reschedules may incur an additional fee to cover our time and expenses. This fee will need to be settled before we can confirm your new appointment. We appreciate your understanding!
Does Jared do birthday parties?
No, Jared’s schedule is generally filled with portrait clients and does not have availability for parties.
Can I get a Passport or Biometric photo here?
No, we are not currently set up to provide passport or biometric photos. The good news is that you can find providers in your community who can do them for about $25-35 if you contact your local post office, office supply store, or shipping center.
How do we book a session with you?
Booking a session with us is easy and stress-free! Just connect with us to let us know who you are and get started. We'll listen to your needs and answer all your questions, so you have all the information up front to make the right decision for you. If you feel we're a good fit, we'll help you schedule a no-obligation consultation to begin planning your perfect portrait experience. CONTACT US TODAY