My studio is based in the San Francisco East Bay Area. I have traveIed worldwide for photo sessions. If you have a project in mind, I would love to hear your proposal. I am available to travel outside the SF Bay Area with an additional travel fee.

Me and only me! When you book your session with Teresa Tam Studio, you are hiring me for my experiences and my skills. I can't wait to learn more about your photographic needs and capture images that are meaningful to you.

Before the session, we will chat about the look we want to achieve and pick outfits that will make you feel your best. The session will warm up with a light test so we can fine tune the lighting that will work best for your session. Music of your choice can be played in the background while you move and groove through different poses/looks. I will guide you and fine tune your expressions and body language so you will be seen the way you want through your photographs. No two portrait clients are alike, so no two portrait sessions are the same. My goal is to capture your genuine and most polished self. I not only want the world to see you differently, I want you to see yourself in a new light after your session. Proofs will be presented after the session within five business days and you will be able to select all the images you love!

Depending on the look we are going for, we will discuss what outfits you should wear. In principle, you should wear what will make you feel the most confident. In most cases, I would suggest staying away from loud patterns, but sometimes rules are meant to be broken and you should wear what makes you YOU!
Don’t be shy! Ask me any questions and I am here to help!

I have a collection of neutral hand-painted artistic canvas backdrops from Europe, vinyl, and paper backdrops we can use. If you would like a specific color backdrop to match your identity or brand there will be a fee to purchase the specific color and size if I don't already have in my studio with 2-3 weeks' notice. If we are shooting on location, then we will use whatever work best from the environment that will get you the look you want.

Makeup for photos is not the same as everyday makeup. Oftentimes, it will feel like the professional makeup is on the heavy side, but it actually doesn’t look heavy in photographs. A professional HMUA can give you everything from a neutral clean/no-makeup look to a glamorous look that will all help draw focus to your features in your photographs. It is not about changing who you are, but bringing out what you already have. Treat yourself because you deserve it. So when possible, I would highly recommend getting professional hair and makeup done.

There is not a set amount of images I will capture during a session. I avoid the "spray and pray" method where I click the shutter as much as I can and hope for the best. I prefer to set up the shots by fine-tuning the light, body language, and expression before I click. As much as we can plan ahead, we will also embrace any serendipitous configurations that comes up during the session. In my experience, clients usually have a hard time narrowing down which images they like best from the session because there are too many good ones. What a great problem to have!

Yes! As a professional, images I capture for clients will always be "developed" in some ways. Family & Love session images will typically get a global edit where I fine-tune exposures, white balance, colors, and whatever it needs to draw the eyes to the subjects. Headshots will be photoshopped tastefully, but it is not use to alter how you look, but to minimize unnecessary distractions so your features and personality will shine through when people see your headshot. The goal is for people to see YOU and not the Edits.

Clients will typically receive their proof gallery from the session within 3 business days. The final retouched images typically arrive within 5 business days after clients make their final selections. Rush orders are possible with a fee.

If you need to use the images in ways that are not covered by my licensing, we can come up with a custom licensing agreement that will work for both parties. Unless there is a new agreement, the standard license will be use on your company's website, social media, event presentation bio photo, and marketing material such as direct mail, email promo, etc). Images may be used on the side or back of book jacket. A separate license is needed for book or magazine cover. Third party use is prohibited unless you are the author of an article for the publication. Additional licensing is required if you would like to use the image for any paid advertising.

There are no refund for any retainers/payment for any reason unless a mistake was made by Teresa Tam Studio.

Scheduling for multiple shoots for various clients can be complex, therefore I have a strict cancelation/rescheduling policy.

Studio Shoot Rescheduling Fee:
No Show: Loss of retainer/payment
7 or less days: $100
48 hrs or less: $200

Location shoot is more complex and requires more time and planning so there is less flexibility for rescheduling.
Location Shoot Rescheduling Fee:
No Show: Loss of retainer/payment
7 or less days: Loss of retainer/payment

If you have a deadline, restrictions, or date expectations please contact me prior to booking so I can best accommodate your timeline needs because retainer/payment are not refundable after booking.

Unforeseen natural or biological events are not valid for refund of retainer/payment, but rescheduling fee will be waived.

I offer a re-shoot at 50% of the session fee (within two weeks of proof gallery delivery date).

If the shoot we plan for are beyond the standard sessions listed on the website, additional expenses may incur such as parking fee, mileage, extra equipment, expendables, assistants, and etc. Clients will be informed of possible additional cost upfront.