Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you'll find answers to commonly asked questions about our photography services, covering everything from booking and pricing to style and session details. If your question isn't answered here, don't hesitate to get in touch with Aaron directly for personalized assistance.
General Information
Aaron Watson will be the primary photographer and your main contact. Often Lisa Watson is the second photographer for larger events, like weddings, school portraits and team photos (when needed). We are fortunate to have a talented team of photographers who work alongside Aaron when additional coverage is needed, or when Lisa is unavailable.
The best answer is: as soon as you are able!
Weddings: For peak season we generally book 10 - 18 months out. In recent years we are also seeing a flood of last minute bookings within 1 - 3 months of the wedding. It is always good to contact us for availability no matter how far out or soon your wedding.
Portraits: We release our schedule 60 - 90 days in advance for families to reserve a date. With Fall being our most popular season.
Commercial: We are happy to work with you on your timeline, whether you need something right away or want to reserve a date in the future. For booking a project 30 days or more in advance a retainer fee will be required to hold the date.
Yes, Aaron Watson Photography operates from a fully equipped studio, which clients are welcome to visit by appointment. During scheduled reveal sessions, visitors can experience our high-end print canvases, custom framing options, and diverse album styles firsthand. If you are located outside the Charlottesville area, we can arrange a virtual call to ensure you have the opportunity to explore and view our offerings remotely.
Yes, we provide shipping for our products. Typically, most clients collect their orders directly from our studio once they are ready. However, for those not in the Charlottesville area, we can arrange to ship your order directly to your preferred address. If there are special conditions that necessitate delivery, please inform us during your ordering session so we can identify the most appropriate delivery solution for your order.
No, we do not offer Passport photos. This service is often available at the post office or CVS, among other options.
Wedding Photography FAQ
Absolutely! Aaron understands the importance of capturing every moment of your celebration, so he offers multi-day wedding coverage. Whether your festivities span a weekend or several days, Aaron Watson Photography is equipped to document each cherished moment for you to remember forever.
Aaron Watson Photography has strong relationships with many venues throughout Charlottesville, and it's very likely that we are already approved to photograph at your chosen location. To be certain, just provide Aaron with the venue name, and he can confirm this for you directly, or he can inquire on your behalf.
Certainly! Collaboration is key to ensuring your wedding day goes smoothly. Aaron is more than happy to work with your wedding planner to coordinate all the necessary details and timing to optimize your photography experience.
Yes, Aaron Watson's expertise isn't limited to Charlottesville – he's also delighted to photograph weddings in Richmond, Washington D.C., and other surrounding areas. Let us know your venue's location, and he'll be glad to discuss the logistics with you.
Yes! Aaron has photographed weddings across the US and many countries, including, Brazil, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Mexico. All destination weddings are unique, and Aaron will be happy to discuss your specific plans to create a custom collection for you.
We love photographing engagement sessions and proposals! Engagement pictures are perfect for save-the-dates, your wedding website, and to create a personalized guest book for your wedding. All of our wedding photography collections can be customized to include an engagement photo session. This is not only a wonderful opportunity for you to document and celebrate this special time in your life, but also a great way for Aaron to get to know you too.
The Aaron Watson Photography team strives to deliver your wedding photos as swiftly as possible without compromising on quality. Typically, you will receive a sneak peek within a few days, and the complete set of images is usually delivered within 3 - 6 weeks after the wedding day depending on the time of year.
Yes, Aaron will provide an online gallery where your wedding photos will be available for viewing and downloading. He will give you all the details on how you and your guests can access this gallery, so everyone can relive the magic of your special day.
Portrait Photography FAQ
Aaron Watson Photography can accommodate groups of various sizes, from individual portraits to large family gatherings. Let Aaron know the size of your group in advance, and he can make the necessary preparations.
In the event of rain, your session will be rescheduled to the next available date that suits you, or you can select an alternative indoor location if you prefer to keep the scheduled date.
Absolutely! As a father of two kids of his own, Aaron has extensive experience photographing children of all ages and excels in creating a fun, comfortable environment for families. Aaron will guide you and your family through various poses that look natural and capture your best angles.
Charlottesville, Virginia, and the surrounding areas provide some of the most stunning backdrops for family and senior portraits. While we’re proud to serve many local families, we also frequently work with out-of-town clients who have ties to the area and plan their portrait sessions around visits to Charlottesville.
With a growing number of wedding couples we've photographed, we’re excited to now offer dedicated portrait days in both the Richmond and Washington, D.C. areas. If you’re interested in scheduling a session closer to home, please reach out to Aaron Watson Photography for availability and options.
Yes, Aaron will provide you with tips and advice on what to wear to ensure your outfits complement each other and suit the style of the portrait you are looking for.
About a week after your portrait session, you’ll meet with Aaron (either in person at our home studio in Charlottesville, VA or virtually via Zoom) for your image reveal.
During this personalized session, you’ll view a curated selection of professionally edited images and work directly with Aaron to select and order your portrait pieces. This collaborative process ensures your artwork aligns beautifully with your vision and home decor.
After your Portrait Design and Ordering Appointment, production for portraits and albums typically takes 4–6 weeks. If you’re working with a specific deadline for a holiday or special occasion, please let us know—expedited options may be available.
Yes, Aaron Watson Photography offers custom portrait art creation services that include wall art, photo albums, and other personalized items to display in your home. Aaron will assist you on choosing the best formats and styles to enhance your home's décor.
Mini Sessions have been replaced by Portrait Days. Often these are in collaboration with a school, sports team, or local organization. If you are interested in hosting a portrait day please inquire.
For families interested in a mini session, due to concerns about their child’s small attention span, please contact us. We have lots of experience engaging with children, to bring out the best smiles and capture their attention. While our high-quality experience will always remain the same, the length of our session can be customized to your family.
The investment for your portrait session will vary based on the type of session, its length, and the keepsakes you're interested in—such as wall portraits or custom albums. Please contact us with details about what you’re looking for, and we’ll be happy to provide personalized pricing information.
Yes, at Aaron Watson Photography, we believe families should enjoy the benefits of both printed and digital images. Our portrait sessions include social media–sized digital files, perfect for easy sharing and everyday enjoyment. All professional printing is done through our studio to ensure the highest quality and longevity of your portraits. For families who invest above a qualifying threshold, we also include a print release along with high-resolution digital files, giving you the flexibility to print additional images on your own.
Senior & Graduate portrait FAQ
Senior portrait sessions are an investment in commemorating this significant achievement. Aaron Watson Photography offers a range of options from individually tailored sessions, to spokesmodel programs and Portrait days. As a full-service studio, we also provide a variety of keepsakes, including custom albums and beautifully crafted wall portraits. Please contact us to learn more about our offerings and personalized pricing.
Yes, we offer portrait days and group rates! This is perfect for a large group of friends, or even an entire sorority, fraternity or school. We are able to accommodate groups from a few people to over a thousand.
Be sure to book your Senior Portrait session as soon as possible to ensure availability and to secure your preferred date and time.
For High School Seniors the best time for senior portraits is during the summer between your Junior and Senior year, for the most flexibility in timing. When school starts back in late summer, your availability may be more limited due to school and sports schedules. Additionally, most Yearbooks have a fall submission deadline.
For UVA graduates the best dates are late March into April. Late April and early May are peak dates, so expect larger crowds of students on the lawn for graduation pictures. Sessions typically take place around 7 or 8am in the morning, and 6 or 7pm in the evening.
Senior sessions are designed to perfectly capture your style and personality, typically lasting about 1 hour for an individual session. Longer sessions are available for groups. This duration is carefully planned to allow for a diverse range of poses and the opportunity for an outfit change. During your consultation, Aaron will be happy to provide tips and advice on outfit planning for your session.
A few days to a week after your portrait session, you’ll meet with Aaron (either in person at our home studio in Charlottesville, VA or virtually via Zoom) for your image reveal.
During this personalized session, you’ll view a curated selection of professionally edited images and work directly with Aaron to select and order your portrait pieces. This collaborative process ensures your artwork aligns beautifully with your vision and home decor.
After your Portrait Design and Ordering Appointment, production for portraits and albums typically takes 4–6 weeks. If you’re working with a specific deadline for a holiday or special occasion, please let us know—expedited options may be available.
For Portrait Days:Images will be available for viewing within a few days to a week after your session. Aaron will provide additional information tailored to your specific situation.