FAQ's

This is a trick question. It is never too early to book unless I have not yet opened my books for that time period. Once I release my schedule, the spots generally go very quickly. For example, Fall 2023 was booked by August and Spring 2024 was fully booked at the end of Feb 2024. For the Fall of 2024/ school year 2025, I have a growing waitlist of parents ready to book as soon as my newsletter is released. (Thank you all, by the way.)

I give my time-capsule clients a chance to book, then release the schedule to my newsletter subscribers about a week later. If there are remaining spots, I then allow others to fill them.

The spots are very limited and it is important to get in early. The idea is to book a spot you THINK will work based on the previous year’s schedules (Plebe parents, I can help. Just shoot me an email. kellyeskelsenphotography@gmail.com)

There are only a certain number of spots, but I leave wiggle room for rescheduling because I KNOW how many things come up for them. When you book, you will fill out a form that collects your Mid’s contact information. From that point, I will coordinate directly with your Mid. I always reach out 7-10 days before their session to see if this time still works for them. If it does not, I “activate wiggle room”. You will be kept aware of all changes.

I totally understand this. Not everyone is a picture person and they may not yet understand the significance of documenting the amazing thing they have done in their life AND in yours! Sometimes they are scared that someone will see them getting photos and razz them or ask why they are in their dress uniform. Sometimes they only have about eight free seconds between school, duties, and sports or other extracurriculars and they don't want to spend it in uniform. Trust me, I UNDERSTAND. I have been doing this a long time and have four children, three being of similar age to Midshipmen.

For much of this, I recommend just explaining how significant it is to YOU and how it would be a gift for YOU. 100% of my most reluctant Mids tell me they would do ANYTHING for their parents (especially their Mamas). It’s heartwarming. Remind them that as they get older, their kids will see these photos on the wall, etc., and they will be very grateful to have done this. I’d bet most of them have a relative with a photo JUST like this that has inspired them.

You can also let them know that as Spring gets closer, they will begin to see most of their shipmates out getting their photos taken. Come April, you can't throw a rock on the yard without hitting a photographer and a Mid. This really helps take the pressure off because everyone is doing it.

If they are very introverted or do not want to be seen, I recommend a sunrise session! Sunrise in Annapolis is always stunning and we can get the session done while the rest of the yard sleeps! (You can read more about sunrise sessions in question seven).

Lastly, I have taken nearly 400 midshipman portraits and I have not yet met one I couldn’t “break”. I never leave them guessing, direct often, and keep a lot of conversation and walking in between. The time goes fast and we have a lot of fun while I tell “old person” sea stories and relate to them in any way I can find. Even the most reluctant tell me it was easy, painless, and gosh darn it, even FUN! Let them know I am a prior enlisted CTR. They can ask me questions and I will keep the photo part painless!

Most Firsties choose their Choker Whites with Midshipman cover and shoulder boards. Many families do multiple uniforms. The real answer is that you can be in any uniform you like best. What do you want on your walls and invitations? I’ve had Mids come in civvies, MARPATS, flight suits, dinner dress, special dinner dress, football uniforms, and all working and dress uniforms including their ensign cover and shoulder boards.

If you book in the fall but would like choker whites, know that many still wear choker whites for their photos despite being out of season. No one has ever said anything to them while they have been with me, though peers may razz them a bit in the p-ways on their way in and out of Bancroft Hall (which they do anyway for anything at all. ha!).

For multiple uniforms, you have two options:

1 - Book two FULL sessions, one in the Fall and one in Spring. You would receive 10% off the second session as a repeat customer. (see full session details in question 12)

2 - Book two mini- sessions, one in Fall and one in Spring. Mini-Sessions are not eligible for discounts. (see mini-session details in question 12)

For those who service select Marine or might service select Marine:

For the last 5 years, those Marine Corps dress uniforms have not been available for photos until the last days in April or the beginning of May. I highly recommend not booking until May if you want Marine uniform photos. However, due to the extreme volume and rigor of photographing events and portraits on the yard in the weeks leading up to commissioning, booking after May first also means you will not receive a full gallery in time for commissioning, announcements, or invitations. Sessions after May 1st will receive three “ sneak peek” photos within 24-48 hours of their session and the rest of their gallery in two to three weeks.

Because of this, many Marine-selects book a mini-session before May in Choker Whites or MARPATS so that they have photos for invitations and announcements, then book a full session or another mini-session in May in their USMC uniforms.

For underclassmen, I recommend wearing working or dress uniform of the current season during our session.

For time-capsule clients, please see ideal time-capsule schedule in question 13.

For the last 5 years, those Marine Corps dress uniforms have not been available for photos until the last days in April or the beginning of May. I highly recommend not booking until May if you want Marine uniform photos. However, due to the extreme volume and rigor of photographing events and portraits on the yard in the weeks leading up to commissioning, booking after May 1 also means you will not receive a full gallery in time for commissioning, announcements, or invitations. Sessions after May 1st will receive three “ sneak peek” photos within 24-48 hours of their session and the rest of their gallery in two to three weeks.

Because of this, many Marine-selects book a mini-session before May in Choker Whites or MARPATS so that they have photos for invitations and announcements, then book a full session or another mini-session in May in their USMC uniforms.

The best time for peak tulips in front of the Chapel Dome is the last week in March and the first week in April. Some tulips may remain in the second and third weeks of April but they will not be at their peak and/or will be at other locations besides in front of the Chapel Dome.

I open extra sessions for these two weeks to accommodate as many sessions as possible.

The very best time to book for tulips and all-around for photos is the last week of March; when tulips are planted and peeking, but Sexual Assult Awarent and Prevention Month (SAAPM) shirts and flags have not yet been placed. See the section on booking in April for more information about how the shirts and flags may affect your photos.

The best sunrises happen during October and November. I keep morning sessions available Friday-Sunday mornings in this time frame. It’s usually pretty chilly, but the colors are positively jaw-dropping. In addition, sunrise is a little later in the morning, which tends to please the Mids.

If your Mid is an introvert or does not want to be seen taking photos, this is the session for you! This session can also be done as a mini-session. See mini-session details in question 12.

The best fall colors on the yard are the last week and half of October through the first two weeks of November.

Scheduling after May 1st will mean longer delivery time due to the extreme volume and rigor of photographing events and portraits on the yard in the weeks leading up to commissioning. These will not be ready in time for announcements or invitations. However, sessions May 1st and later will receive 3 “sneak peek” photos within 24-28 hours. The full gallery will take 2-3 weeks for delivery. See questions four, five, and nine for more information.

April is a very beautiful time on the yard! This is when the tulips and much more are in bloom! Most Firsties will have their portraits made during April. However, it’s worth noting that April is Sexual Assult Awarent and Prevention Month (SAAPM) Navy-wide. It is also when the yard becomes crowded with tours and photographers. This means there will be shirts hanging in the rotunda entrance of Bancroft Hall and green flags lining the sidewalks of Stribling Walk. This is a very worthy cause but it affects your photos.

If you are set on having photos in the rotunda, do not want the t-shirts behind your iconic open-door photos in front of Bancroft, or do not want the green flags in your photos along Stribling Walk, it is best to schedule in the Fall, March, or May (please see questions nine, five, and four regarding scheduling in May).

As for the crowds, they may affect how many locations we are able to use during our session.

It's a three way tie!

-Fall at sunrise is breathtaking and has never disappointed me! Sunrise is my specialty!

-September flowers on Stribling are underrated and absolutely STUNNING!

-And of course, the most iconic for a full session, Firstie gallery, the last week of March with the Tulips but before the SAAPM shirts and flags cannot be beat!

That is up to you and your needs! Reading question four may help if you want photos in various uniforms or want to represent Spring and Fall on the yard. If it comes down to pricing and number of photos, here are some details to help you decide.

Mini Session

These are limited and designed for underclassmen, but can work in a pinch for a Fristie as well!

20 minutes of photography

One iconic location from the following: 1) Chapel Dome 2) T-Court 3) Dhalgren Hall 4) Bancroft Hall 5) Memorial Hall or 6) Mahan Hall. This location is determined by light and weather on the day of our session. I will coordinate directly with your midshipman before our session!

8 to 10 images edited and delivered in an online, password-protected gallery

Rapid delivery, within one week of the session

Optional add-ons (personalized app, extended gallery, retouching, battle buddies, USB drive, album design by Kelly)

Average investment is $300

Full Session

This is highly recommended for Firsties and my most popular package.

One hour of photography.

Multiple iconic locations around the yard

20-30 professionally edited images in an online, password-protected gallery where you can download, share or print your pictures for personal use. You are not required to purchase prints or pay to download them.

Optional add-ons (personalized app, extended gallery, retouching, battle buddies, USB drive, album design by Kelly)

Average investment is $550

When it really comes down to it, the perfect time-capsule is the one that fits your individual needs and the schedule demands of your Mid the best. I remain flexible and can produce a lovely gallery regardless. However, in a perfect world, I would love it to go like this:

Plebe Year: Fall in UOD (working blue) at sunrise. I try to feature the Herndon monument and walking bridge during this session.

Youngster Year: Early spring in UOD (working white) OR Civvies scheduled in summer blocks. I am to feature sports and hobbies this year.

Junior Year: Ring Dance in dinner dress uniform! I usually feature the gazebo and Mahan this year.

Firstie Year: I love to break it up into a Fall Mini, late October in SDB’s then a Spring Mini the last week of March in Choker Whites. (I feature as many key locations as possible in our time/weather/crowd situation, but I try to get Bancroft, T-Court, Dhalgren, Stribling, and the Chapel Dome. This is the best time for buddy add-ons.)

Commissioning Week: T-Court, Chapel Dome, or Breezeway between Bancroft Hall and Dhalgren Hall. OR a location in Annapolis you have come to love (example: Downtown Annapolis or Air BNB rental that has felt like home, a sponsor family’s property, etc)