Portrait Photography FAQs Rochester MN

We started our photography business in 2001. Websites were still fairly new, most people had dial-up Internet and digital cameras didn’t exist. We worried no one would find us in the phone book or online if they had to spell Scott Schoeberl Photography so we came up with something easy to remember. Our inspiration came from a cheeky game we played as little kids on the school bus. We’d mouth the words “Olive Juice” and pretend we were saying “I Love You” to each other. It made sense because we were newly married and it perfectly described what we do - we take “I Love You” pictures.

Family, baby and senior photo shoots are $475 per hour (1 hour minimum). We won’t know how many hours you need until we Zoom and talk about the number of locations, outfits and people you want included. Prints, canvases, books and cards are purchased separately.

Studio headshot photo shoots are $315 per person (30 minute session). This includes 1 outfit and 1 digital photo. You can purchase more outfits and digital photos before or after the photo shoot. Volume discounts are available.

Non-studio headshots are $650 per hour plus computer time. We won’t know how many hours you need until we talk about the number of locations, outfits, people and digital photos you want included.

All shoot fees are non-refundable and paid at time of booking.

For family, portrait and high school senior customers, print prices start at $131 for a 5×7 and $198 for an 8×10. All purchases include matching social media photos. Social media photos are for online sharing (ex: Facebook, Instagram). They’re digital, include our logo and are sized to look great on screens (not printed). We email them to you when your order is paid.

Yes. Family, baby, and high school senior portrait customers earn digital photos if they spend $4,000 or more in a single order session. Studio headshot customers automatically receive 1 digital photo with the purchase of a photo session. Studio headshot customers can purchase additional digital photos for $99 each (3 for $250).

Our office hours are 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Friday. We photograph by appointment before, during and after.

Yes. We photograph all over the midwest.

If you’re located within a 60-mile radius of Rochester MN or somewhere in the Twin Cities, we don’t charge for our travel. If you’re not located in these areas, we may ask you to pay our travel expenses. Travel expenses vary by project and, if applicable, include mileage, airfare, parking, lodging and/or meals.

Sometimes, customers ask us to bring our studio backdrop and lights to their location. If we do, we charge our standard rate of $650 per hour to set up and tear down the equipment.

Yes. This is a common concern and we take it very seriously. We want you to feel confident and love your photos so we start by choosing the right clothing and poses to highlight your best features. Then, we use Photoshop and cropping to minimize the rest.

There’s no such thing. You don’t have good pictures of yourself because you haven’t worked with us. It’s our job (not yours) to make you photogenic and give you the BEST PHOTO you’ve EVER had.

Yes. Our retouch style is light so you look your best, most genuine and expressive self. If there is something specific you’re worried about, let Kelly know during your order session. Otherwise, we just retouch your photos as if they are our own.

We don’t like to use the same place twice. We want your photos to look different from everyone else’s. That’s why we ask so many questions during your consultation – we’re looking for places that make you happy and put you at ease in front of our camera. The ideal location doesn’t have flowers and fountains. It has you and your most genuine smile. Truth be told, some of our best photographs have been shot in backyards.

No. We base the price of our services on several valuable intangibles, including:

• Scott’s distinct, creative eye

• Humor and joyful style

• Ability to problem solve and perform in complex or adverse situations

• 25 years of experience photographing people

• Expensive, complicated camera and lighting equipment

• Darkroom and digital photo processing skills

• Logistical planning services

• Location scouting

• High-touch service

• Long-term vision

• On-time delivery

• Customer satisfaction

• Industry reputation and acclaim

Every photographer has their own mix of intangibles and, therefore, their own prices. If you don’t value our mix of intangibles or don’t see the difference in our photos, that means we’re not a match and that’s okay. There are loads of other photographers out there.

We may not be the right match for you.

If we were a restaurant, we’d be one of those casual fine dining places that believe good cooking takes time. We do our best, most creative work when we have time to play and coax genuine smiles out of people.

Mini sessions are a git’er done, fast-food kind of thing. You get the same locations and unfinished photos as everyone else. You save money because the photographer works less. We don’t know how to do that.

Our advice is to try taking your own photo with a cell phone. Just make sure you do it during the day for best light. Stand next to a window or under a shade tree. Then, use your phone’s photo app to fix color and brightness.

We require a nonrefundable retainer when you book your photo shoot. This reserves a date and time exclusively for you and prevents us from accepting other paid work. If you need to reschedule your photo shoot, please give us at least 3 days notice so we can fill your open slot and, hopefully, replace the lost income. We’ll transfer your retainer to a new date as long as the date is within 30 days of the original. If you reschedule a second time, we keep your first retainer and ask you to pay a new one.

We approach every photo shoot with the best, most pure intentions. We want your photos to be as amazing as you do. If we don’t think your photos are worthy of a magazine cover, we’ll be the first to suggest a re-shoot. If we need to reschedule due to weather or illness, we’ll transfer your retainer to the new date. If you want a refund because you don’t like what God gave you or you don’t follow our instructions, we’ll decline.

Our best work happens when we have time and freedom to play. Please come to your photo shoot dressed and ready to go. Then, plan on staying a few minutes longer so we can answer all your questions or finish our conversation (Scott likes to talk). The more time you block on your calendar, the more you’ll enjoy yourself and, ultimately, the better your photos will look.

Your choice of outfits should reflect your personality so you look and feel confident in your photos.

Our advice is simple:

• Choose tops with collars and sleeves to draw attention to your face.

• Avoid solid white or solid black outfits.

• Coordinate outfits by picking a color family and sticking to it (ex: pastels, primary colors, jewel tones, earth tones).

• Clean, iron and de-lint your clothes.

• Text options to Kelly at (507) 990-2552 and/or bring extras to your photo shoot so we can choose our favorites.

• Don’t forget signature accessories like hats, glasses, scarves, ties, socks, etc.

Schedule a hair cut or color with your stylist at least 3 days before your photo shoot. Then, pluck, wax, thread, shave and/or groom your facial hair. Don’t forget eyebrow, ear and nose hair. On the day of your photo shoot, style your hair like you normally do (when you want to look extra nice) and bring some supplies with you. Pomade and hair spray tame flyaways. Hair ties give you a different look.

Nope. Your photos should represent the real you. If you normally wear makeup, apply it immediately before your photo shoot and bring extra for touch ups. If you don’t normally wear makeup, come as you are.

We crack up every time we hear this question because it reminds us of a scene in a funny movie, Talladega Nights. Seriously, though, you don’t have to worry. We’ll tell you what we want you to do with your hands, head and body as we photograph you. Modeling experience, professional or in front of your bathroom mirror, is not necessary.

Only if we’re photographing your headshot in our studio. Otherwise, no. We want you to hire us because you love what you see on our website and trust that we’ll do everything we can to get equally amazing photos for you too.

No. We only know how to photograph one way (our way). Other photographers copy us but that’s because they haven’t developed their own artistic vision or style yet.