Frequently Asked Questions

I actually picked up photography when I was 16 (way back in 2012)! I started out photographing friends and family as a hobby, but I quickly started taking clients and doing $30 sessions. I photographed my first wedding at 16 for $200. After high school, I moved to Bend, Oregon and was doing photography as a side gig to my normal 9-5 as a preschool teacher. In 2016, I moved to Chico, California and was doing photography (lots of weddings and family sessions) in addition to my college classes. After I moved out of Chico in 2018, I decided to take a break from the professional side of photography and only focused on it as a hobby. In that time, I acquired my esthetician license in 2019 and moved to Germany in 2020. I continued photography as a hobby during my years in Germany, but was primarily focused on my classes and learning the language. In 2024, I got married and had my first baby, which inspired me to finally pursue photography as a career again! I officially started Mathiesen Photo Co. at the beginning of 2025.

That depends! Of course if you tell me you want sunset photos and the day of your shoot is so overcast that the sun isn’t even visible, we will reschedule! I have no problem rescheduling if the weather isn’t what you were hoping for. However, if you don’t mind the weather and if the shoot fits the vibe, I actually think that “bad weather” can make for some truly stunning photos! I have a rain cover for my camera, so I am always down for rainy and/or snowy sessions. Wind can even be really pretty depending on the type of session! We will cross that bridge if and when we come to it!

Absolutely! I encourage you to share your ideas and any inspo you have. Your photos should reflect your personality and style, so I’m happy to accommodate specific requests as much as possible. I want you to love your photos, and the more you share with me about your vision, the more likely I’ll be able to help you bring it to life!

Of course! I can relate, I totally forget everything I know about posing as soon as I’m in front of the camera as well, lol! Don’t even worry about that though, it’s literally my job to make sure that you feel comfortable and relaxed during our session and to guide you with poses that feel natural. I encourage lots of movement, give you prompts, and make lots of jokes to capture all the sweet candids. In addition to that, I pay close attention to detail (where to put your hands, making sure your hair is laying perfectly, making sure your clothes are all good and no visible tags etc.) while placing you in more classic poses.

For a standard session, typical turnaround time is maximum 2 weeks. For a wedding gallery, typical turnaround time is maximum 90 days. I know how exciting it is, though, so you will always receive sneak peeks within a couple days of your shoot!

Yes, once delivered, you have the rights to do whatever you would like with the photographs. I do, however, ask for credit by name for any businesses that use my work for any public or marketing purposes.

They will be delivered to your email via google drive!

Great question! I offer many different types of minis throughout the year, but not always the same ones. I will switch it up year to year, so I recommend following my Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on which minis I’m offering as well as all the details! Examples of minis that I may offer will be Mommy + Me, Daddy + Me, Prom, Cap & Gown, Seasonal (snow/autumn leaves/flowers/etc), Holidays (Halloween/Christmas/Valentines Day/Easter/etc), Grandparents + Grandkids, Pets, Creative Themes (watermelon/apple picking/farm/etc). Mini sessions are great if you only want a few photos at a lesser cost than a full session. 10 edited digital images will be included in the price, but you will have the option to purchase additional images. Time slots and price will vary.

Yes, I do! We can discuss options for payment plans when we schedule your session, but I am generally very flexible and can accommodate most people. No matter what, a retainer is required to secure your date and the full amount is due at or before your session (or two weeks prior to your wedding date for weddings).

No, all retainers are non refundable. However, if you need to reschedule, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance and the retainer will roll over to your new session date.

This is such a commonly asked question that I have dedicated a very thorough blog post about it! You can head over to my blog to read my ”Outfit Guide”, which just outlines general advice and things to consider when choosing your outfit(s)! Remember that it is just a general guide, and you in no way have to follow every rule. These are just the things that I have personally noticed photograph the best and result in the best shoots, in my opinion.

Dogs are ALWAYS welcome at any session!