Question 1

How can I prepare my child for a portrait?

Accepted Answer

My goal is to create a fun and happy environment for your family so that we will get genuine expressions and wonderful portraits of your child.

Please tell them they are going to have a fun day with the family and that I will be joining you to take pictures of all the fun. I encourage you to avoid bribes or threats because this may take away from the concept that the session itself is a treat!

For older babies or young toddlers, you might bring toys that they love that might look nice in a picture.(Wood toys, blankets, classic toys, tricycles, wagons, and blocks all look great.) Other fun session items: bubbles, baby blanket, favorite toy or lovey.

Make sure to feed a meal or snack before your shoot, and avoid treats until after the session is completed--you don't want a photo of your child with M&M's in their mouths, believe me!

Question 2

How do I book my session?

Accepted Answer

To book your session, send us a message or schedule a phone call with Missy. We will get back to you right away and then the booking and planning process starts!

Question 3

How do I get my newborn ready for a photo shoot?

Accepted Answer

The primary goal during your newborn session is to help your baby feel calm & sleepy when we are ready for portraits. To facilitate this goal, please try to get in a nice full feeding about 20-30 minutes, give or take, before our scheduled shoot time. Baby will most likely be ready for pictures at our session time. If baby wakes up hungry during our session, we can always pause for a feeding!

Question 4

What camera equipment do you use?

Accepted Answer

Click here to see what's in my camera bag!

Question 5

What is a custom session?

Accepted Answer

A custom session is a full length photography session with me, and 90% of my shoots are custom session. Since they are custom, every session is totally different and designed just for you! We will work together to choose a location (studio, home, or outside), clothing, styling, activities, posed and/or more candid portraits, etc. Custom sessions are usually one family (Mom, Dad and kids), but it may include grandparents or pets. This may be a family session that is mostly focused on Mom during her pregnancy, it may focus on a group of siblings, or it may be a newborn baby with Mom, Dad and siblings. There are all different types of families, and I have many ideas and lots of experience with most situations! We will spend around 1-2 hours capturing your portraits, and you will have 30+ gorgeous images to choose from. Custom sessions include complementary hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling.

Question 6

What is your style?

Accepted Answer

My visual style is clean, simple, and timeless, and my shooting style is fun and active! Please see examples here of my style so that you will know what to expect from your images if you choose me as your photographer.

Question 7

Where is your studio and what is it like?

Accepted Answer

Missy Timko Photography Studio is a very large, beautiful space located in the uptown Mt. Lebanon neighborhood of Pittsburgh. For more info about the studio, click here.

Check out the inside of our beautiful space: