Zuzana Lhotská

I recommend getting in touch as early as possible. I am currently working on a limited basis, so some dates are arranged several months in advance. If you have a specific date in mind, do get in touch and we will look at the options together.

The length of the session depends on the package and type of session you choose. A portrait session usually takes about 1.5–3 hours. We don’t rush – what matters to me is that you feel comfortable and that we have enough time to capture natural, beautiful moments.

Outdoor portrait sessions usually take place in the countryside around Dolní Břežany. I choose the exact location according to the type of session, the season, the current state of nature and, above all, the light. The character of the place also matters to me – enough shade, suitable terrain and the chance to photograph in beautiful natural light. I have several favourite, tried-and-tested spots, and I always choose the one that suits the particular session best.

The time of day plays an important role too. Photographically, the most beautiful light is usually during the so-called golden hour – about an hour before sunset. That is why we sometimes agree on the exact time only once we see the latest weather forecast and light conditions. For family sessions we naturally also take the children’s routine and needs into account.

If you have a favourite place or a specific idea, please tell me. If it suits the session, I will gladly take it into account. If needed, we can also arrange a location outside the Dolní Břežany area.

Documentary sessions take place wherever your stories happen.

Please let me know as soon as possible. I understand that circumstances can change or you may fall ill. If I know about the change in good time, we always try to find a new date that suits us both.

Before every session I will send you basic recommendations on what to bring and what to think about when choosing your clothes. And if you are unsure, just ask me. I will be happy to help you choose.

Definitely not. 😊 In fact, I think too much posing can take away from the naturalness of the photos. I try to create a relaxed atmosphere in which you don’t have to think about where to put your hands or what face to make. My aim is to capture natural smiles, emotions, movement and moments that are truly yours.

I completely understand. I don’t like being photographed either. 😊 So I know how awkward it can be to suddenly stand in front of the camera and not know what to do.

You don’t need to know how to pose or prepare in any way. I will guide you through the session step by step and do my best to help you feel as relaxed and natural as possible. Family sessions take place in a pleasant, easy-going atmosphere full of joy, laughter and spontaneous moments.

The most important thing is to come relaxed and in a good mood. We will take care of everything else together. Before the session you will also receive basic information and recommendations from me, so you know what to expect.

Because we photograph out in nature and often walk a little way from the car, I recommend thinking of everything you might need during the session. For children, definitely pack a drink and a small snack, perhaps a favourite toy or some treats. For babies, of course, nappies, a changing mat and everything they need to be comfortable.

Wet wipes and suitable footwear can also come in handy. If it is damp outside or we are photographing after rain, I really recommend wellies – for children and adults alike. That way we don’t have to worry about getting our shoes dirty.

Out in nature we may of course also come across ticks and mosquitoes. Especially when photographing in long grass, I recommend using insect repellent and choosing suitable shoes and clothes. The most beautiful places for photos are often exactly the ones where nature isn’t perfectly tidy. 😊

Quite the opposite – don’t worry about it. 😊 During a session in nature you may sit down in the grass, walk through a damp meadow, or the children may come home with muddy knees. And that doesn’t matter at all.

So I recommend choosing clothes and shoes you won’t mind getting a bit dirty. You will be much more relaxed and won’t have to check at every step whether the children have got dirty. And it is exactly that relaxed atmosphere that shows in the photos.

For family sessions I am not a fan of frequent changes of clothes. I much prefer the final photos to feel like a natural whole – like a memory of an afternoon spent together, not a series of differently staged scenes.

I also think one well-chosen outfit suits the photos much better as a set and works beautifully in a collage or photo book, for example. And let’s be honest – children and dads are rarely thrilled about changing clothes again and again. 😊

Of course, if you would like to change your outfit during the session, I certainly won’t stop you. What matters most is that you enjoy the session.

You don’t need to be. 😊 To me, being photogenic isn’t about perfect looks or knowing the right face to make in front of the camera. My job is to create an environment where you can be yourselves and to find your natural expressions, gestures and emotions. I often hear that people were nervous about being photographed – and in the end enjoyed the session far more than they expected and remember it for a long time.

After you book, we agree together on the date, the place and your ideas for the session. Before the session you will receive all the information and recommendations you need. During the session I will guide you through the whole process, so you don’t need to know what to do. After the session I will select and prepare previews, from which you choose your favourite photos. I then carefully edit them and deliver them to you in an online gallery.

That’s fine. If you are not sure which package or type of session is best for you, write to me. I will be happy to talk through your ideas and together we will choose the option that best matches what you expect from the session.

A family portrait session is for parents and their children, plus at most two other people who take part in the whole session. This means they are not photographed separately, but always together with the family.

Within one standard family session it is therefore not possible to photograph, for example, two families who are friends so that each has its own separate session. If you would like a session like that, do get in touch and we will agree on the options and terms individually.

For a documentary family session the number of people is not limited. Its magic lies precisely in capturing time spent together and everyone who is part of it.

The number of final photos depends on the package you choose. A portrait session includes 25 photos as standard (in both colour and black and white). If after your selection you would like more photos, you can add as many as you like for an extra charge. A documentary session includes at least 80 photos (in both colour and black and white), often many more (so no successful shot ends up in the bin).

For documentary photography I select the final photos myself; for portrait sessions you choose them. I will send you previews of the photos within two weeks of the session at the latest. From these you can choose your favourite shots at your leisure. In short: I deliver the previews within two weeks, you make your selection within two weeks, or as otherwise agreed individually.

You will receive the finished photos within 6 weeks of your selection at the latest. But I usually try to deliver the photos as soon as possible – as soon as they are ready.

You will receive the photos in digital form via online storage, from which you can easily download them to your computer.

No problem. You can choose any number of additional photos for an extra charge according to the current price list.

Yes. Every photo you receive from me has basic editing. I first convert the photos from RAW to JPG and then adjust mainly the brightness, contrast, colours, exposure and other basic settings, so that the final photo looks natural and matches my style.

Portrait sessions also include basic retouching in the price – for example, small skin imperfections and gentle skin softening. The aim is not to change how you look, but to fine-tune the photo naturally.

I don’t provide unedited photos. I only deliver photos that I have selected and finished myself in keeping with my photographic style.

I don’t offer this service at the moment.

You can take photos in all kinds of weather, and the light and atmosphere of an overcast sky or light rain can make for beautiful photos. But if the forecast is for persistent rain or other really unfavourable or extreme weather, we will agree to move the session.

What matters most to me is that we enjoy the session and feel good.

Please let me know as soon as possible. Health of course comes first, and together we will find another date.

Of course. If your pet is part of the family, I will be happy to include them in the session. 😊 We just need to consider the location and the nature of the session in advance, so that it is pleasant and safe for everyone.

If you are planning to bring your four-legged friend along, let me know when we are arranging the date. Together we will choose a suitable place and agree on the details.

The session itself takes as long as the package and type of session require, but I recommend setting aside plenty of time. For a family session it is good to allow about 2.5–3 hours. Children sometimes need time to warm up, a break or a moment to rest, and there is no need to hurry because of that.

At least one hour of photography is guaranteed, which is enough time for us to take the photos. But if we are enjoying the session and the children are cooperating well, I don’t like to end it just because a certain amount of time has passed. 😊

That doesn’t matter at all. 😊 Children are children and may have their own kind of day during a session. They may be shy at first, not want to cooperate, run away or simply not be in the mood for photos. I have a lot of experience with this – and a lot of patience.

Usually the children relax after a while and start to enjoy the session. The most important thing is to stay calm. I ask parents to try not to scold or shout at their children during the session. Children sense their parents’ mood very well, and any stress quickly shows in the photos. Instead, let’s encourage and praise them together and let things take their course a little. The most beautiful photos often come from exactly these spontaneous moments.

I completely understand – I don’t like being photographed either. 😊 If, for example, a dad or partner isn’t keen on taking part in the photos, there is nothing to worry about. I try to keep the session as natural as possible and the atmosphere relaxed.

If the idea of several hours in front of the camera is really hard for him, we can take the family photos right at the start of the session, and then he is free to go – for a walk or to see to something of his own – and come back for the rest of the family later.