FAQs
TABLE OF CONTENT
Click on a section below to jump straight to answers.
Getting Started
What areas do you serve?
How much do your sessions cost?
How do I book a session?
When is the session fee due?
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What I Photograph
Do you photograph weddings or engagements?
Do you photograph newborns?
Do you photograph events?
Do you offer personal branding photography?
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Session Preparation
What should we wear?
Can we bring pets?
What if it rains?
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How I Work
What makes Nina Merklina Photography different?
How long have you been a photographer?
What's your photography style?
Do clients come back to you for more sessions?
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Session Details
What's included in the session fee?
When will we get our photos?
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After the Session
Can I order prints through you?
Do you retouch the photos?
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Common Concerns
What if I don't photograph well?
What if my kids hate being photographed?
Can you Photoshop me to look thinner, more toned, younger, etc.?
Do you do styled or themed shoots with wardrobe provided?
Do you offer hair and makeup?
Getting Started
Basic information you may need first
The easiest way to get on my calendar.
What areas do you serve?
I'm based in Chapel Hill and work throughout the Triangle: Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Raleigh, Pittsboro, and Hillsborough. There is no travel fee in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Fearrington Village and Briar Chapel. Anywhere else in the Triangle, Raleigh included, adds a flat $70.
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How much do your sessions cost?
I believe in transparent pricing: no hidden fees and no “schedule a call to find out.” The prices below are my standard rates. If your needs fall outside them, I’m happy to offer a custom price, and I’ll quote it before you book.
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Family sessions, flat rate by group size: up to 5 people $495, 6 to 10 people $550, 11 to 15 people $650, 16 or more are quoted.​
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Senior and graduation portraits: $495.
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Individual headshots and personal branding: $495.
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On-site team headshots: $650, which covers the first 4 people, then $150 per person. Teams of 10 or more, several locations, or rush work are quoted.
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Events: starting at $650 for two hours.
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Seasonal offers, like Fall’n’Love ($450) and Porch Minis ($250), are listed on their own pages with their dates. From January to March, home-studio headshot sessions are $350.
What’s included: every session includes the full edited gallery as high-resolution digital files with full personal use rights. I don’t charge per image or nickel-and-dime you for extras. Individual sessions include 5 fully retouched images. Additional retouched images are $50 each for headshots and branding, and $25 each for seniors and families. Bulk retouching and composite images are quoted separately.
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How do I book a session?
Reach out through the contact form, use the "book online" form, send me an email, or flag me down at Weaver Street Market. Phones always work, too, and texting is often the fastest. Once we pick a session type and time, I'll send you a booking link.
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I typically take a non-refundable retainer (AKA booking fee, starting at $50) to secure your spot.
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When is the session fee due?
​To book a session, you will pay the booking fee first, upon booking, which goes towards the total cost. It secures the date and time of the session and is not refundable in case you decide to cancel or no-show. Once we complete the session and I secure the images (transfer to hard drives and archives), you will receive an invoice for the remainder of the fee. This typically happens the day after the session.
Payment timing and details
What I Photograph
Do you do business headshots?
Yes. Business headshots are a core service. I work with individual professionals and corporate teams throughout Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh.
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Who I photograph:
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Attorneys, actors, physicians, real estate agents, financial advisors, entrepreneurs (individual professional headshots)
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Corporate teams and company staff (consistent headshot sets for websites, marketing, directories)
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LinkedIn profile updates and personal branding (entrepreneurs, consultants, executives)
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Board members, C-suite executives, and leadership teams
Session options:
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Studio headshots
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Outdoor/natural light headshots
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On-location at your Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh office (convenient for team shoots)
Pricing: individual headshots are $495 and include 60 to 90 minutes with me, guided posing, the full gallery and 5 fully retouched images. On-site team headshots start at $650, which covers the first 4 people, then $150 per person. Teams of 10 or more are quoted.
I bring a full mobile studio to every on-site shoot, indoors or out, so weather or a room change never means rescheduling your team. Every person gets the full gallery.
Nonprofits and larger organizations are quoted based on team size. Volume pricing is available for groups of 50 or more.
Background: I spent more than 15 years in executive search, placing senior executives at companies like Cisco, GE, IBM, Microsoft and others. I also helped smaller businesses and startups build their teams. I know what makes an effective professional headshot across different industries, from conservative corporate environments to creative fields.
Even for professional headshots, my goal is the same: you'll leave feeling good about yourself and confident about how you're represented.
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Do you photograph weddings or engagements?
No, I focus on portraits, headshots, and events. If you're looking for a wedding photographer in the Chapel Hill area, I'm happy to recommend colleagues who specialize in that.
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Do you photograph newborns?
I don't do posed newborn sessions (the wrapped/styled studio shoots with props). But once babies hit around 3 months and start smiling? Absolutely. That's when they get chunky, the baby acne clears up, and their personalities start showing. Those are the moments I love capturing, usually as part of family sessions.
Do you photograph events?
Yes. I regularly photograph corporate retreats, conferences, team gatherings, and family milestone celebrations. I approach events documentary-style: capturing genuine moments as they happen rather than staging group shots all day. If you need a mix of candid coverage and formal portraits (like headshots during a conference), I can do both. Events start at $650 for two hours.
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Do you offer personal branding photography?
Yes. Personal branding sessions are for entrepreneurs, consultants, speakers, coaches, authors - anyone who needs a library of professional images for their website, social media, marketing materials, and LinkedIn.
We'll create a variety of shots: headshots, environmental portraits, lifestyle images, behind-the-scenes moments - whatever tells your story and supports your brand.
LinkedIn optimization included: I spent more than 15 years in executive search, reviewing thousands of profiles. I know what works for LinkedIn - from photo composition to how different industries respond to different styles. I'll help you choose the right image and can advise on optimizing your profile presentation.
Sessions typically run an hour or more, and include multiple locations/outfit changes if needed. Individual headshots: $495. Personal branding: from $495. Bundling with a headshot starts at $650.
Session Preparation
I made a booking. Now what? Tips for looking great without stressing yourself or your closet
What should we wear?
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Stick to solid colors when in doubt. They photograph cleanly and keep the focus on you.
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Avoid tiny patterns like thin stripes or tight plaid. These can create a visual glitch called moiré (think: camera-induced wardrobe shimmer in unexpected colors).
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Coordinated? Yes. Matching? No. You can pull off matching outfits if there are two of you. More than that: say a family of five all in white, and you'll start giving cult vibes. Matching white shirts and jeans on a group of seven? Hard pass. Everyone blends into each other.
Instead, choose a color family: jewel tones, soft pastels, neutrals, or earth tones, and let each person pick a shade that flatters them. Moms, this will make your life easier.
If your kids refuse to wear what you want? Let them show up in their pajamas and sweats. That's them right now, and ten years from now, you'll be glad you captured it exactly as it was. I dive a little deeper into that beautiful chaos in this blog post.
Makeup tip: Skip shimmer, glitter, and dewy highlighters. They look great in person but wreak havoc under flash, resulting in hotspots, loss of detail, ghost zones. Matte finishes photograph best.
Accessories? Please. Photos love drama. Funky glasses, bold earrings, flower crowns, hats, guitars, team scarves and whatever makes it yours.
Can we bring pets?
Yes, yes and yes! Please! Bring your furry chaos along.
Bring all the paws.
Dogs, cats, ferrets and lizards. They're part of the family. Just bring treats, a leash, a little patience, and maybe a lint roller.
Moreover, those chaotic moments make the greatest candids! Just give me heads up.
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What if it rains?
When the sky messes with our plans.
We'll keep an eye on the forecast together. If the skies turn on us, we'll reschedule. I build rain backup options into my calendar during peak seasons. Your booking deposit secures the session, and we'll make it happen when the conditions are right.
How I Work
What makes Nina Merklina Photography different?
What makes Nina Merklina Photography different?
My sessions are celebrations, not obligations. Whether it's a family portrait, senior shoot, or even a business headshot - you'll leave feeling good about yourself.
Most people hate being photographed. It makes them feel vulnerable, exposed, self-conscious. I get it. I have a big nose and I hate my nose. But no one's ever turned me down because of it. That's the point: it's not about perfect features. It's about mood, impression, feeling.
We talk through your concerns before the session. I work with your insecurities, not around them. I let kids test-shoot with my camera (while quietly praying). I make faces. I move constantly: lying on the ground, climbing things, whatever it takes. Sessions feel like hanging out, not like performing.
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I came to photography from more than 15 years in executive search. I've reviewed thousands of headshots and interviewed hundreds of professionals. I know what makes people uncomfortable, and I know how to create space for them to relax. You won't feel like a mannequin. You'll feel like yourself.
How long have you been a photographer?
I've been working professionally with clients for 15+ years, but I've been photographing for most of my life. I got my first camera at 15 and grew up in a family of photographers - my grandfather and father were traveling scientists who documented the world through their lenses. I spent hours in our makeshift darkroom (our only bathroom, red light and all) watching images come to life.
I went full-time in 2019 after years of running a photography business alongside my recruiting career.
What's your photography style?
I don't sell a "look." I'm not the bright-and-airy photographer or the dark-and-moody photographer. I adapt to what fits you.
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Want light and airy? Done. Drama and contrast? I'm there. Great Gatsby chic? Let's do it. Corporate clean? Natural outdoor warmth? Editorial edge? I can shoot it all.
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My style is matching the vibe to the person, the purpose, and the moment. You're not getting a one-size-fits-all Instagram aesthetic. You're getting images that feel like they belong to you.
Do clients come back to you for more sessions?
Yes, clients regularly return to me for more photography sessions, including families I've worked with since 2015, professionals updating their headshots, and companies booking new team photos or events.
But with families, things get sentimental. I've watched adorable little girls grow into gorgeous young women, and an awkward boy become a handsome young man, go off to college, graduate, and eventually propose. I even got to photograph his surprise proposal, which isn't something I normally do. But for my longtime clients, I've been known to make exceptions! (Now excuse me while I reach for the tissues.)
After years of working together, we just pick up where we left off. Repeat bookings mean a lot to me, but getting to watch these families grow up?
That's one of the best parts of my job.
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Session Details
What you’re getting for your investment
What's included in the session fee?
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The session itself, including the prep session (in person, or over the phone or video conference).
After the session, you'll receive a lightly edited online gallery with high-resolution digital files and full personal use rights.
Every session, except Porch Minis, includes unlimited downloads, no watermarks, and no upsells to access the images you see. Porch Minis, my once a year season special, is the exception, it is a limited session that includes only 3 retouched images, with an upgrade to the full gallery.
Prints are not included, but you can order them directly from your gallery.
Need help choosing what to print? I'm happy to weigh in.
When will we get our photos? How long it takes to receive your gallery?
Your gallery is ready within 2 weeks. Team galleries within 3 weeks. Very large galleries may take longer, and I’ll tell you before you book. If you're working with a deadline (holiday cards, announcements, gifts), just let me know. I can usually make it work with a bit of notice.
Rush delivery is available on request, for an additional fee.
After the Session
Professional print options and how it works
What gets polished and what stays natural
​Can I order prints through you?​
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Yes. You can order professional-quality prints directly from your gallery. If you want framed art or canvases, I'll help you choose the right size and finish for your space.
The lab I use produces heirloom-quality prints with archival durability (think 50 to 100 years).
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You can also design custom cards for various occasions straight from the gallery. If you need help with the design, I can guide you through the process, or create a fully custom design (subject to additional fees).
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Do you retouch the photos?
​Yes, every image is edited for tone, color, and overall polish.
Surprise pimple? Never happened. Some light skin softening? Sure, if it fits the image.
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What I don't do is heavy reshaping. I won't make you look like someone else, but I will make sure the photo reflects how great you looked that day. I can also style the images to the mood and vision that speaks to you. Light and airy? Dark and moody? Those details we usually cover in our prep session, but we can always reshape things post shoot.
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I do take extra time to polish the images you choose to print: stray hair, outfit imperfections, etc.
Individual sessions include 5 fully retouched images. Seasonal offers list their own counts.
Additional retouched images are $50 each for headshots and branding, $25 each for seniors and families.
Team retouching is agreed before the shoot.
Common Concerns
Real talk: you look better than you think
Reluctant kids are my specialty!
Creative concepts and what's available
What's included, and what's up to you
​What if I don't photograph well?
​You're not alone. Most people say this, and it's almost never true. You don't need to know how to pose or smile. Just show up and let me handle the rest.
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Bad photos come from bad light or forced energy, not bad faces. Once you relax and stop worrying about the camera, good things happen. Still skeptical? I explain more about it here.
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TL;DR There is no such thing as "not photogenic" people. There is bad light, bad angles, and bad edits. We can discuss what typically makes you dislike your images in advance, and we will work together to nail the best angles and light.
​What if my kids hate being photographed?
Reluctant kids are my specialty, and kids who hate being photographed are some of my favorite clients. I don't expect children to pose or smile on command.
I make noises, climb things, lie on the ground, and sometimes challenge kids to look as sad and miserable as humanly possible. That last one usually ends in laughter.
When a child absolutely refuses to pose, I sometimes hand them my huge professional camera (while praying to insurance overlords) and let them to photograph their own family.
Suddenly, the same child who wouldn't cooperate is wrangling siblings and loudly complaining that nobody is listening...
If they get a photo in focus, I save it and credit them by name. For some kids, it's their first officially credited piece of intellectual property, following years of art exhibits on the family fridge. And sometimes it is the first piece to graduate from the fridge to an actual wall.
And if they still want nothing to do with the camera? That's fine, too. I give them space and keep photographing. I work with real kids, not imaginary ones who always smile on demand. Sometimes the grumpy face makes the best photograph.
Can you Photoshop me to look thinner, more toned, younger, etc.?
Let's talk about realistic edits and thoughtful enhancements
I certainly can, but I rarely need to. Posing, lighting, and angles do most of the work. Then I edit with a light hand: cleaning up flyaways, under-eye shadows, blemishes, and anything else that showed up uninvited that day.
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If something specific is bothering you, please let me know. If you're feeling tired or self-conscious, I can consider that while editing.
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My preference is not about turning you into a different person. My goal is to show you in the best possible way. I may see you differently from how you see yourself, but we can discuss this in advance and align our perspectives.
Just know, your freckles are delightful, and we'll think together before removing them. If there's anything you feel needs to be reshaped, I'll do it thoughtfully and with your input.
Do you do styled or themed shoots with wardrobe provided?
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Not at the moment, but I'd love to. When I find the right local designer to collaborate with, I'll start offering styled sessions. They're rare birds around here.
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In the meantime, I'll help you plan your outfit and vibe so the shoot feels cohesive, even if you pulled it straight from your closet.
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Do you offer hair and makeup?
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No, I don’t have an in-house hair and makeup artist, and most of my clients lately don’t want one. I ask everyone before their session, and nearly everyone these days does their own makeup or skips it entirely.
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If you want guidance: matte over shimmer, skip the glitter, bring powder. Send me a photo before the session if you’d like feedback. The goal is you on a good day. And if a pimple shows up the day before, don’t worry, fixing that in post is much easier these days.
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If professional help with hair would make you feel more confident, I can connect you with a local stylist I trust completely. She’s a premium stylist and books well in advance, so plan ahead. Let me know and I’m happy to make the introduction.
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