FAQs

Where is Kent Smith Photography?

Our studio address is 12923 Stonecreek Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. It is just past the Pickerington Branch of Ohio University.

What is it rains?

Your photographer will keep a close eye on the weather, and will call you if rescheduling is necessary. The most beautiful outdoor lighting is either right before rain or right after rain, so we may try to wait it out. Regardless, we will still do the indoor images.

Can you help me pick a frame?

Our staff is expertly trained in choosing the appropriate frame for every image. There are a variety of frames available for you in all sizes. To determine the size and shape of your portrait in frame, consider the wall space where it will be displayed. Interior designers recommend that a portrait occupy at least 50% of the wall space. If not, the viewer’s attention will be drawn to the wall rather than the portrait.

Do you offer other types of photography?

Yes! We offer Family Photography, High School Senior Photography, and Business, Corporate and Brand Photography, as shown on this website.

What do I wear?

When it comes to choosing clothing colors, try selecting a color that matches your eyes. Navy and gray tend to photograph a bit dull. Look for stronger, richer colors.

Bring at least 1 or 2 outfits with long sleeves…even in the middle of July. Even the slimmest person can look heavier in sleeveless tops.

Bring accessories! Hats, jewelry, shoes, jackets…Anything you can take on and off in the camera room can help add variety and fun to your outfits.

If you have trouble deciding what to wear, bring it all! Our photographers are experts at helping you choose the clothing that flatters you the best.

How many outfits do I get?

Our 90-minute senior session is perfect for 3-4 outfits. If you are a quick changer, we may be able to do more, but your session will start at exactly the time it is scheduled, and will end exactly 90 minutes later. If you would like to do sports or any kind of “specialty” outfit, we highly recommend scheduling additional time.

How should I style my hair?

You shouldn’t have to worry about your hair for your senior pictures. We have an incredible team of hair and makeup artists who love making you look and feel beautiful!

Make sure your hair is exactly the way you wish it to appear in the finished photographs. Any hair hanging in your face (like bangs) can cause unflattering shadows in your images. Waiting to do your hair or makeup at your session time will dramatically shorten your camera room time and number of images that will be taken.

What about makeup?

It’s your special day, and you should look and feel amazing! That’s why we have an amazing team of hair and makeup artists whose job is to pamper you and make you feel beautiful before your time with our camera.

We strongly recommend wearing makeup (at least foundation and blush)! Even if you don’t normally wear makeup and want to look natural in your photos, makeup is still necessary. Not wearing makeup will cause your skin and face to appear washed out under certain lighting styles, which limits the variety in your session.

Do you know my yearbook requirements?

Yearbook guidelines change every year. Please find out the specific requirement from your school, and tell us prior to your session.

Special note to Mom & Dad:

Parents are encouraged to attend! Although your initial thought may be that you feel your presence may make your child uncomfortable, we have found the opposite to be true. It is really a fun experience to share with your teenager.

If you are unable to attend the session, please take a moment to write down any requests and send it with your senior to the session. Make note of expression preferences (smile vs. serious), if you are trying to match a previous senior’s portrait, or if you have specific concerns.

What's the catch with the free family session?

There’s no catch! Family is very important and that’s why we gift all our senior clients with a FREE Family Portrait Session.

What should we wear to our family session?

Family portraits hang in our homes for years! Choose styles and colors that are complementary with your home decor. We suggest working with a palette of colors to keep everyone unified while also allowing everyone to show off their personality! Avoid large or bright patterns if you can!

Can my family change outfits?

While we welcome outfit options, we limit each family session to one outfit. Changing can take up time during your session and make choosing your favorite images more difficult! Instead, consider bringing layers or accessories to adjust your look throughout the session. In the end, if you really do want two different looks for your portraits, we are happy to do this for you. Please talk with one of our staff when you schedule your session so we can add extra time for this and let you know the cost.

Who should be at my order appointment?

Large family sessions can be so exciting! Make sure that all the decision makers are available for your order sessions so that we can make sure every family member is able to complete their order.

What about Holiday Cards?

We love designing holiday cards for our clients! You can discuss this process with your order consultant at the time of your order. If you have previously been photographed with your family by our studio and would like to use your images to create holiday cards, contact our studio!

Can I include my pets in my family session?

Absolutely! We know how important pets can be. We strongly suggest asking a friend to come to your session to watch over your pet and handle transporting them so you can focus on your session!

Why should I book a personal branding session?

Gone are the days of a single headshot on your company website! Our personal branding clients utilize their variety of images for social media, websites, and business cards for years to come. Cohesive images showing off who you are as a person and a professional are so important!

What should I wear?

We suggest a variety of outfits that show off your personal style, while also including details specific to your industry if you can. For more ideas, look at our Business and Corporate page under Galleries!

How often should I have a personal branding session?

We suggest a personal branding session at least every 2-3 years! It is so important to keep your online presence up-to-date with your image and style!

Everything you've been wondering about your boudoir experience at Kent Smith Photography!

I've never done anything like this before. Will I feel awkward?

Almost everyone feels a little nervous at first! In fact, most of our clients have never done a boudoir session before.

The good news? You don't need to know how to pose, where to look, or what to do with your hands. That's our job!

Our photographers will guide you through everything, right down to your fingertips. Before you know it, you'll be laughing, relaxing, and wondering why you were ever nervous.

Do I need to lose weight before my session?

Absolutely NOT!

We hear this all the time: "I just want to lose 10 more pounds first."

Here's what we want you to know: You are beautiful right now, exactly as you are.

Our photographers are experts at flattering lighting, posing, and camera angles that bring out your best features. You don't need to change your body to deserve beautiful photographs of yourself.

Don't put off celebrating YOU!

Am I too old for boudoir photography?

Not a chance!

We photograph beautiful women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. Some of our most incredible boudoir portraits are of women who thought their days of feeling sexy were behind them.

Beauty doesn't have an expiration date, and confidence looks amazing at every age.

Do I have to wear lingerie?

Not at all! In fact, some of our favorite boudoir portraits don't involve lingerie at all.

Think oversized sweaters falling off one shoulder, jeans with a pretty bra, a man's button-down shirt, a favorite sports jersey, satin pajamas, a gorgeous dress, or even a cozy cardigan with slouchy socks.

Boudoir is about feeling beautiful, feminine, confident, and maybe a little flirty. There's no rule that says you have to wear something revealing.

You decide what feels comfortable and beautiful to you.

What if I don't know how to pose?

Perfect! We don't expect you to.

Our photographers will guide you through every pose, showing you exactly how to position your body, tilt your chin, place your hands, and even where to look.

We know how to create beautiful curves, flattering angles, and natural expressions.

You just show up. We'll take care of the rest!

Is professional makeup included?

Yes! Every boudoir session includes professional makeup application, complete with lashes.

Our talented makeup artists know exactly how to create beautiful, camera-ready looks, whether you prefer soft and natural or full-on Hollywood glamour.

Professional hairstyling is also available as an add-on service.

It's all part of making your experience feel extra special!

How many outfits should I bring?

We recommend bringing three to four outfits so we can create a beautiful variety of looks.

You might choose something romantic, something playful, something a little daring, and something that's simply YOU.

Not sure what to bring? Don't worry! We're happy to help you plan your wardrobe before your session.

Will my photographs be private?

Absolutely. Your privacy is extremely important to us.

Your portraits are personal, and we respect that. We will never share your images on our website, social media, or in our advertising without your permission.

You are always in control of whether your photographs are shared.

Do I have to pose nude or topless?

Never!

Your session is all about your comfort level. Some women love glamorous, fully clothed portraits. Others prefer lingerie or something a little more daring.

We will never ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Beautiful boudoir photography is about suggestion, expression, confidence, and artistry — not how much skin you show.

Is your studio comfortable and private?

Yes! Our studio is a beautiful, welcoming space in Pickerington, Ohio, designed to feel more like a home than a traditional photography studio.

We're also an all-female studio, so you can relax knowing you're surrounded by women who understand how vulnerable stepping in front of the camera can feel.

Our goal is for you to feel comfortable, pampered, and completely at ease.

How long does a boudoir session take?

Plan on approximately two hours for your experience.

You'll begin with about an hour of professional makeup application, followed by approximately one hour of photography.

There's time for outfit changes, different looks, and plenty of encouragement along the way!

Will you Photoshop my pictures?

Our goal is for you to look like the most beautiful version of yourself — not someone else!

Professional lighting, flattering posing, and expert photography do most of the work. We also professionally finish your selected portraits to create beautiful, polished images.

We want you to recognize yourself and LOVE what you see.

Is boudoir photography just for husbands or boyfriends?

Not even close!

Some women book a boudoir session as a surprise gift for someone special, and that's wonderful.

But many women do it entirely for themselves.

Maybe you're celebrating a milestone birthday, a personal accomplishment, a new chapter in life, or simply want to remember this version of yourself.

You don't need a special occasion or someone else's approval to feel beautiful.

Sometimes the best reason to do a boudoir session is simply because you want to.

What if I'm not photogenic?

If we had a dollar for every woman who told us that, we'd be rich!

Being photogenic isn't something you have to be born with. It's about knowing how to use lighting, angles, expressions, and posing to bring out your natural beauty.

That's what professional photographers do!

You don't need modeling experience. You just need to trust us.

When will I get to see my photographs?

You'll return to our studio for a private View & Order appointment, typically within seven days of your photography session. It's a fun experience with your custom slideshow on a big screen.

This is when you'll see your beautiful portraits and decide what images or products you would like to purchase.

Will I fall in love with all my pictures?

It happens more often than you might think!

We offer beautiful portrait collections, including digital images, albums, and wall portraits, so you can choose what works best for you.

We also offer convenient payment options through Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and our in-studio payment plans.

We encourage you to review our collections and pricing before your session so you'll know what options are available.

What if I'm still nervous?

Then you're completely normal!

We've been photographing women for over 35 years, and we can promise you that you're not the first woman to walk through our doors feeling a little unsure of herself.

You don't have to arrive feeling confident.

That's part of what makes this experience so special.

Come as you are. We'll take it from there!

Real winners. Real experiences. A real gift from our studio.

Why does Kent Smith Photography offer giveaways?

Simple! We love introducing new people to our studio!
We're a locally owned boutique photography studio in Pickerington, Ohio, celebrating over 35 years in business. Unlike a traditional storefront, our beautiful studio is tucked away on a wooded property, complete with indoor photography rooms and our very own outdoor portrait park.
Since you won't necessarily discover us driving down the main road, our giveaways are one of our favorite ways to invite new people in, show them what we do, and let them experience something special.
It's a fun way to introduce our studio to the community, and we love doing it!

Does everyone who enters win?

We wish we could choose everyone! We receive hundreds of entries each week, so unfortunately, not everyone can be selected.
If you're one of our lucky winners, you'll receive a complimentary professional photography experience, including:

• Your professional photography session
• Professional makeup application, including lashes
• Your favorite portrait as a beautiful 8x10 print

It's an experience valued at nearly $700, and it's our gift to you!

If I won, why is there a $99 reservation deposit? Is this really legitimate?

Absolutely! We've been a trusted photography studio in Central Ohio for over 35 years, and our giveaways are a genuine part of how we introduce people to our business.
Every client, including our giveaway winners, receives approximately two hours of dedicated appointment time with our professional team.
Because we reserve that time exclusively for you, we require a $99 reservation deposit to secure your appointment. This helps ensure that our clients are committed to the date and time they've selected.

Your $99 deposit is refundable when you attend all your scheduled appointments, or it can be applied toward a portrait purchase if you choose to make one.

We're not interested in collecting deposits from people who don't show up. We want you to come in, enjoy your experience, and discover why our clients have trusted us with their portraits for decades!

Do I have to purchase anything if I win?

Absolutely not! Your prize is yours, with no additional purchase required.

You'll enjoy your professional photography experience, including makeup and lashes, and receive your complimentary 8x10 portrait. You are never obligated to purchase anything else.
That said, many of our winners fall in love with more than one image and decide they'd like additional portraits, albums, or digital images.
We offer beautiful, professionally finished portrait collections, with packages starting at $495. Most clients who choose to purchase additional images invest between $800 and $1,200.
We also offer convenient payment options through Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and our own in-studio payment plans.

We encourage everyone to review our portrait collections and pricing before scheduling.
We want you to know exactly what to expect, whether you plan to enjoy only your complimentary gift or are considering purchasing additional images.
Our goal is simple: a wonderful experience, beautiful portraits, and absolutely no surprises.

Is this really free, or is there a catch?

There is no hidden purchase requirement.
Our giveaway is a genuine promotional gift from our studio. Like many businesses, we invest in marketing to introduce new clients to what we offer. Rather than spending all of that money on traditional advertising, we love giving people the opportunity to experience our photography firsthand.
We hope you'll love your experience, tell your friends about us, and perhaps choose to return someday.
And if you simply enjoy your complimentary session and portrait? That's perfectly fine, too!

Your prize is real. Your choice to purchase more is entirely yours.

Take a look at our packages here. We do offer Preferred Pricing that will give you even more savings off of the regular prices. **Stephen, I would like a button here to take them to the collections page. Label the button “Take me to Portrait Collection Pricing”