Living Image Photography

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers, in Simon's words. If yours is not here, ask Simon's assistant directly.

Before you book

The questions we hear most.

What should we wear for family photos?
Wear what you would wear on a good day, not a special occasion. Plain colours and soft textures photograph better than logos and busy patterns. Choose a palette for the group rather than matching outfits, and dress children for comfort so they can move. If the artwork is going in a particular room, tell us and we will keep the colours in mind.
How much does a family photoshoot cost?
Your session is only $195 during our spring sale, normally $295, and it includes a $100 credit towards your beautiful artwork. Session fees rise in the peak season. Your finished artwork is chosen during a complimentary portrait reveal soon after your portraits, beginning at $255 for a framed desktop piece and rising to $6,150 for the largest wall collection. There is no obligation to buy artwork and no pressure on the day. Seventy percent of portraits are taken on weekends.
How long does a portrait session take?
Allow about an hour for the photography. Larger families and dogs who need time to settle can take longer, and that is fine. The portrait reveal, where you see the finished portraits and choose the artwork, is a separate sitting of around forty five minutes, in the comfort of your home or online.
Is a family photoshoot worth it?
The photographs on your phone will still be on your phone. A portrait made with care and finished as artwork becomes part of the house, seen every day, and it is usually the one thing people wish they had done sooner when a family changes. That is the whole reason Living Image exists.
What size should wall art be for a living room?
Above a sofa or sideboard, a single portrait of 24 by 30 inches or larger holds the wall. Three vertical panels, our Trois collection, suit a long wall. For a smaller room, a 16 by 20 inch piece or a framed desktop portrait is often enough. We design the scale for the actual wall at the reveal, so you never guess.
How do you hang a set of family portraits?
Treat the set as one piece. Keep the same spacing between every frame, line the centres up at about eye height, and leave room around the group so it can breathe. Our collections are designed as arrangements, with the sizes and spacing worked out, and we can hang them for you locally.
Can our dog be in the family portrait?
Yes, and we would be disappointed if they were not. Dogs are family here. Your session runs at their pace: in the comfort of your home with our in-home studio, on the beach, or at any of the amazing locations around the Yarra Valley, Melbourne and Victoria. My Dog and Me sessions are made for exactly this.

The Shoot the Dog book

Taking part in the coffee table book.

How soon should I apply if I want my pets included?
As soon as you can. Spaces are limited and demand is high, so apply now if you would like to be considered.
How do I apply to have my pet included in the Shoot the Dog coffee table book?
Apply online using the book application form on this site, or call us on 0407 983 803.
How will I be notified about the outcome of my application?
We call or email within five working days of receiving your application to talk it through and get to know your fur models.
Who chooses the photograph that goes in the book?
The design team at Living Image Photography and Publications makes the final selection, so that the images work together and the book flows as one piece.
Does the entire participation fee go to animal rescue?
Yes. 100 percent of the $100 participation fee goes to the selected animal rescue groups.
Can I buy photographs or wall art of my pets after the session?
Yes, though there is no obligation. After the session you view the portraits at your reveal and choose any artwork you would like for your home.
How much will the book cost?
The full colour, hard cover coffee table book is $150, with shipping additional.
How will I get a copy of the book?
Each book is a strictly limited edition print run. Once photography and design are complete, roughly eighteen months, every participant is emailed the chance to pre-order a copy.
Does my pet need to be a rescue pet?
Not at all. All breeds and mixes are welcome.
How many pets can I have in my session for the book?
Up to three dogs from the one family per session. If you have more, contact us and we will see whether your brood fits the vision of the book.
I have two dogs. Do I pay a participation fee for each?
No. One participation fee covers up to three dogs from the one family on one page. The fee guarantees inclusion in the book, and the studio time is donated by Living Image Photography and Publications.
Where and when will the session take place?
Sessions take place at selected studio and outdoor locations in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, at a scheduled time.
When will the book be available?
Once each volume reaches its target of about 200 sessions, the book is designed and pre-orders open. Production then follows, which takes roughly eighteen to twenty four months from the start of each volume.