FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION TOPICS
PHOTO BY AMANDA ODLE - KIPPIS, “CHEERS” IN FINNISH
BOOKING/ INVESTMENT:
Photography sessions begin at $800, Holiday sets *limited* at exclusive rate announced at the fall. Your consultation fee will go towards your balance if you decide to book with us. We take questions by email and phone during business hours but an in-person consultation begins at $45/hr. Event Floral add-ons are popular with our family sessions, senior pictures, and elopements beginning at $150.
Investment depends on the project, travel, number of subjects in photos, among other factors. We do not offer “mini sessions”. EVENTS: I have set rates and/or hourly depending on the project and what I am asked to build. Event consulting at $45+/hr = prior to the day of, $65+/hr day of event and on site work. No two projects are alike. Nothing is pre-made or meant for anyone but you. We can always take a look at what you need and build your package for floral, photos, and design work: )
First and foremost, I am in visual arts as a contractor. Sometimes your project feels like a luxury kitchen remodel. Sometimes you want me to “build the whole house”. No hidden fees, but honest pay for honest work.
A LOOK INTO OUR FLORAL SERVICES AND BOOKING:
As for now- floral design and photography are by appointment only and will likely remain that way. This is as I had always intended since we are not a full service floral studio with delivery drivers and employees - except for my 7 year old. I feel like she is the boss of me. Between photo edits and running a farm, we want to make sure everything remains consistent in quality for everyone that believes in our vision.
Floral design is never a same day order. We require 1 week minimum for orders out of season and sometimes longer depending on the time of year and size of the project.
I don’t have subscription options for floral but love how many people have asked. That is such a compliment and I love how much you love us. The feeling is mutual.
VISITING COSMO COTTAGE, BOOKING, AND OTHER ADULTING MATTERS THAT ARE GENERALLY LESS FUN THAN OTHER THINGS IN LIFE:
Cosmo Cottage is a micro farm and studio at our family home. Visitation is by appointment only. This is NOT a “you pick” farm and is not open for outside photographers that are not licensed, insured, and also approved by The Cosmo Cottage with written consent and payment in advance. Trespassing is prohibited.
Merch is available in studio. If we don’t have your size, we can process our monthly order to get what you need.
First time booking is through our contact page on the website. I’m usually covered in compost, spiders the size of house cats, or chest deep in water snapping photos. The last time I tried to juggle my phone in the garden I had a bag of bloodmeal explode in my face - so please fill out or service request. Existing clients call or text during business hours and I will get back to you ASAP.
RETAINER FEES AND OTHER ADULTING THAT SOUNDS REALLY BIG BUT IS JUST GOOD BUSINESS:
Service requests are not a guarantee of service. I remember working in the salon in my early early years and being forced to take on services I was not prepared or equipped for, or even knowledgeable in that specialty. Corporate business does that, not this kid.
A no from us just means that I am unable to execute your vision based on the type of project, scale of the event, location, budget, timing, OR - it is not what I do. I am an extremely specialized business - so if I can’t help with your project, I have a bunch of talented people in the area that I am hoping can help make your project come to life. You are not officially secure on my books until a 50% non-refundable retainer is paid and contract signed. The 50% covers half of all photography fees, floral estimate discussed at the time of consult, and any other prop rentals or add on services we have planned for. The entirety of this arrangement is covered in contract and I am happy to discuss those details with you once I know I am able to take on your project. I am not booking full weddings at this time but will consider elopements and engagement sessions. Make sure if you have a time of year in mind for your specific project - DO NOT HESITATE - to reach out. I really want to make sure we maximize your time and vision just as you see it. I can’t express how important planning is with outdoor photo sessions and can’t wait to hear all about your ideas!
FLIGHT OF THE COTTAGE BEE:
Mehiläinen Mail- Koa delivers flowers dressed as a bee when she is able to *and when she wants to participate. She is amazing and is too young to push her at 7 years old but if it isn’t too hot and she is out of school, she usually enjoys being all the buzz around town. That has to be planned for to make sure our youngest and most precious part of the farm is loved and cared for so thank you for your understanding.
WE ARE DIFFERENT, WE KNOW
The Cosmo Cottage has an
INSTAGRAM @thecosmocottage
and our websites
The Cosmo Cottage is not Amazon or 1-800 Flowers. We are ok with being different and doing things different because part of opening this business was to return even part of an industry to what used to be good. Slow us down. Be intentional in our gifting of flowers and our investment in capturing memories. If we seem out of the box, it’s because we threw the whole box away and I hope you enjoy this fresh take on art and business.
Tell me what we are building and why. Why flowers and when was the last time you really felt something receiving or even sending flowers? I can take pictures of peoples’s faces all day but what are we capturing when I see YOUR family? It all makes sense in the end, I promise.
AND ON THAT FARM WE HAD SOME WELL FED, YET ANGRY ANIMALS AND OTHER UNFORESEEN DANGERS…
E-I-E-I-OHHHH NO:
Uneven walkways, an unforgiving rose garden that is beautiful and dangerous at the same time. Wildlife and snakes/spiders. Garden chemicals and zero places that are “baby proofed”. We have 7 year olds racing around the garden beds without a valid drivers license and a no trespassing policy that is taken very seriously.
THE BIG RE-BRAND
Our family has changed, as so many often do- so there will be a transition back to my family name over time. varisrockholt@gmail.com will still work but also thecosmocottage@gmail.com sends messages right to me as well. My work, captions, credits, print/digital marketing, etc. will reflect my family name “Laurila” more and more over time.
