Policies & Information

Everything you need to know about working with Zion Designs—from booking through final delivery. If you have questions not covered here, I'm always happy to talk through details during our consultation.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

Reach out through the contact form or email directly at Hello@ZionDesignsColorado.com. We'll schedule a consultation call to discuss your vision, your companion's needs, and the best approach for your session. Once we've confirmed the details, a signed contract and $200 session fee secure your date.
The $200 session fee reserves your date and includes pre-session planning, travel within 15 miles of Denver, and all my time on location. This fee is separate from your image package, which you'll select after the session based on what we captured together.
After your session, you'll receive a preview gallery within 2–4 weeks. Once you've seen the work, we'll discuss which package fits your needs—Essential, Signature, or Heirloom. This approach ensures you're choosing based on the actual images, not guessing beforehand.
I accept credit cards and debit cards. Payment plans can be made available for select sessions and can be customized to fit your timeline.
Payment plans can be made available for select sessions and can be customized to fit your timeline. This is especially important for Legacy sessions—I never want financial concerns to prevent families from having these memories.

SCHEDULING & FLEXIBILITY

I recommend booking 4–6 weeks in advance for regular sessions, though I can often accommodate shorter timelines. For Legacy sessions, I prioritize scheduling as quickly as possible and remain flexible if circumstances change.
Yes. Life happens, and pets have unpredictable days. Rescheduling is available with 48 hours' notice. For Legacy sessions, rescheduling is always available regardless of timeline if your companion's health requires it.
Colorado weather is famously unpredictable. If conditions aren't safe or ideal for your session, we'll reschedule at no charge. I monitor forecasts closely and will reach out if I have concerns about the scheduled day.
Absolutely. Sessions beyond 15 miles of Denver are welcome—mileage fees apply per mile for the round-trip distance beyond that radius. Destination sessions (mountain locations, out-of-state travel) are available with travel fees discussed during consultation.
Payment plans can be made available for select sessions and can be customized to fit your timeline. This is especially important for Legacy sessions—I never want financial concerns to prevent families from having these memories.

SESSION EXPERIENCE

While I don't structure sessions by strict time limits, most Essential sessions run 30–90 minutes, Signature sessions 60–120 minutes, and Heirloom sessions 2–4 hours. Legacy sessions move entirely at your companion's pace—we take as long as needed.
The actual time depends on your pet's energy, the locations we're working with, and how quickly we capture what we're after. Some animals settle immediately; others need more time to acclimate. I follow their lead.
I'll provide guidance during our planning call based on the season, location, and your personal style. Generally: wear what feels authentic to you, avoid busy patterns or logos, and coordinate without being overly matched. Comfort matters—if you feel awkward in your clothes, it shows in the images.
Yes. Multi-pet sessions are welcome. I recommend the Signature or Heirloom package for sessions with multiple companions to ensure adequate coverage of each animal individually and together.
I recommend bringing at least as many people as there are pets to facilitate an easy session.
I've worked with pets of all temperaments—anxious, reactive, shy, senior, physically challenged. We'll discuss your companion's specific needs during consultation and adapt the approach accordingly. Sessions can happen in your home if that's where they're most comfortable, and we'll move at whatever pace they need.
Safety always comes first. Leashes are required for outdoor sessions unless we're in a fully enclosed area. I specialize in seamless digital leash removal during post-processing—you'll never know they were there in the final images.
I work quietly and use professional gear designed to be less intrusive than consumer cameras. For particularly nervous companions, I can use longer lenses to give them more space, work from a distance, and gradually build comfort. Flash is not required for outdoor sessions if the sun cooperates with us. It is always my practice to test the flash before we enter into a session to asses your pet’s sensitivity to the strobe. In my experience, one pet in thirty is sensitive to the flash.

IMAGE DELIVERY & FILES

Preview Gallery: Within one week of your session, you'll receive a private online gallery of professionally processed selects. These images are color-corrected and exposure-adjusted but not yet fully retouched.
Your Selection: You'll choose your favorite images based on your package (10-15 for Essential, 25-35 for Signature, etc.). I'm happy to provide guidance if you'd like help narrowing down choices.
Final Retouching: Once you've made your selections, I'll apply detailed retouching—leash removal, advanced color grading, and fine-tuning. Your completed gallery arrives within 2-3 weeks of your selections.
Heirloom & Legacy Collections: For these premium sessions, I curate the final collection based on my professional judgment, delivering fully finished work without requiring you to choose from previews.
You'll receive a private online gallery where you can view, download, and share your images. All files are high-resolution and print-ready. The gallery remains active for one year, and you'll receive a backup download link.
All images are delivered as high-resolution JPEGs optimized for both print and digital use. Files include full print rights for personal use.
Yes. You have full rights to share your images on personal social media, use them in holiday cards, create personal prints, and share with family and friends. I only ask that you credit Zion Designs when sharing publicly. Additional terms are stated in your contract.
Every image is professionally edited for exposure, color, and composition. Standard editing includes leash removal when needed. Extensive retouching (removing objects, background changes, etc.) is available as an additional service—we can discuss specific requests during your design consultation.

PRINTS, ARTWORK, & ALBUMS

Prints, albums, and custom artwork can be ordered anytime within one year of your session. We'll schedule a design consultation to discuss your home, your aesthetic, and how you want to live with these images. I'll guide you through sizing, placement, framing, and material options.
All prints are produced on museum-quality archival paper with a 100-year color guarantee. I work with professional labs that specialize in fine art photography to ensure your images look exactly as intended.
Yes. Custom framing services are available via third-party partners, and I'll help you choose frames that complement both your images and your home's aesthetic. Framing consultations can happen via video call or in-home visit (travel fees may apply for in-home consultations beyond Denver metro).
You have full print rights for personal use, so yes—you can print through any lab you choose. However, I strongly recommend using professional labs rather than drugstore printers. The difference in quality is significant, and I'm happy to recommend trusted labs if you prefer to handle printing yourself.
Custom heirloom albums are available through partner print-labs in various sizes and materials—linen-bound, leather-bound, or contemporary designs. Albums are designed collaboratively during your consultation and typically take 4–6 weeks to produce.

USAGE RIGHTS & COPYRIGHT

I retain copyright to all images as the creator. You receive full personal use rights, which means you can print, share, and display your images freely for non-commercial purposes.
Commercial usage requires separate licensing. If you need images for business marketing, websites, or commercial use, let's discuss licensing during consultation. This is common for branding sessions and can be arranged.
I deliver images fully edited to my professional standards. Additional editing, with the exception of cropping, is not permitted as heavily altered images no longer represent my work accurately. I strive to give you the very best images possible. If you’d like to see something changed about your photo, let’s have a conversation and I’d be happy to assist in meeting your vision.

LEGACY SESSIONS - SPECIFIC INFORMATION

I prioritize Legacy sessions and can often schedule within 1–2 weeks. If your companion's condition is declining rapidly, I'll do everything possible to accommodate an urgent timeline.
I understand that time is unpredictable with senior and terminally ill companions. If your pet passes before we're able to complete the session, your session fee is fully refundable or can be donated to the Zion Legacy Fund in your companion's name.
While I specialize in capturing living companions, I'm happy to discuss creating memorial artwork from existing images you have. This might include albums, tribute prints, or custom memorial pieces designed to honor your companion's memory.

LIABILITY, SAFETY, & INSURANCE

Yes. I carry professional liability insurance through my membership with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This covers both equipment and professional liability during sessions.
Pet safety is non-negotiable. I never ask animals to do anything that puts them at risk, I require leashes in open areas, and I'm trained to read canine and feline body language to recognize stress or discomfort. If at any point your companion seems unsafe or overly stressed, we pause or adjust.
While I take every precaution to ensure safety, accidents can happen. My professional liability insurance covers incidents during sessions. In the unlikely event of injury, I'll assist with immediate veterinary care and work with you and insurance to address the situation.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

The $200 session fee is non-refundable once your date is secured, as it reserves that time exclusively for you. However, you can reschedule your session at any time with 48 hours' notice.
Exception: Legacy sessions can be rescheduled or refunded at any time if your companion's health requires it.
My goal is work you'll love living with. If you're not satisfied with your gallery, we'll discuss your concerns and determine the best path forward—whether that's additional editing, a reshoot, or another solution. Client satisfaction matters more than any policy, within reason.

TAX & LEGAL

Yes. Per Colorado state law, sales tax is applied to digital files and printed products. The rate varies by location—I'll provide the exact amount before finalizing your order.
Yes. All sessions are confirmed with a signed contract that outlines session details, deliverables, usage rights, and expectations for both parties. You'll receive your contract during the booking process and can ask questions before signing.