To help ensure the best fit and overall experience, we ask that all participants arrive with the following items:

For our mermaids:
A small, unlined bra and legging-style shorts to be worn underneath the costume.

For our mermen:
Simple underwear is all that is needed.

These items help our team with proper fitting, comfort, and seamless styling during the session.

What should my child wear under the mermaid tail/ Scale Suit?

Our mermaid experience is open to participants ages 1 year and older. We welcome children, teens, and adults as we have sizes from 12 months to size 24 for both mermaids and warrior mermen!

What ages is this experience designed for?

We strongly recommend booking as soon as your schedule permits.
Our mermaid experience has been in development for over two years, and we currently have a waiting list of more than 3,000 families who expressed interest prior to launch. As a result, availability is extremely limited and sessions often fill weeks to months in advance.
To secure your preferred date, we encourage families to reserve as soon as booking opens for their desired timeframe.

How far in advance should we book?

How should we arrive in terms of hair and makeup?

All participants must arrive HAIR & MAKEUP READY before entering the studio. We do not offer hair or makeup services on-site, and no makeup application or hair styling may take place in the studio.

Our sessions are scheduled back-to-back and run on a tight timeline. Any time spent on last-minute adjustments or getting ready directly reduces time in front of the camera and limits the number of images we are able to capture.

We encourage families to complete all hair and makeup preparation in advance so we can maximize your child’s time on set and create the best possible gallery.

What hairstyle is recommended for the mermaid session?

We highly recommend wavy or curled hair for our mermaid sessions, as it creates beautiful movement on camera — especially when we add our signature “underwater breeze” effect with the fan.

Clip-on colored hair pieces are also encouraged and make a wonderful addition to the overall look, adding dimension and fantasy to the final images.

For best results, please arrive with hair fully styled and ready for the session as no makeup application or hair styling may take place in the studio.

Do you have any makeup recommendations for the session?

We recommend light, natural makeup with a touch of shimmer for a soft, magical look. For those who want to enhance the mermaid theme, glitter accents and fish-scale detailing around the temples and even the arms photograph beautifully and add an extra layer of fantasy to the final images.

For convenience, we offer glitter facial glue packets for purchase at the studio ($10 each) in pink, blue, and green. These can be used to apply cosmetic glitter safely and easily. Families are also welcome to bring their own mermaid-inspired makeup ideas and accessories.

For best results, please arrive with all makeup fully applied and ready for the session.

How many children can participate on the set at one time?

For safety, comfort, and the highest-quality results, we limit each session to no more than four children on the set at one time. In select cases, we may accommodate up to five if one of the participants is a smaller child.

This allows our team to give each child personalized attention, guide posing carefully, and ensure we capture a beautiful variety of images without the set feeling crowded or overwhelming.

Do you provide the mermaid tail and accessories?

Yes — we provide custom mermaid tails & scale suits for the boys in a range of sizes from 12 months to size 24. Each client is styled on-site by our team to ensure the best fit and look with a crown, optional glitter body spray and of course the props on set!

How should we prepare for our session?

After booking, you will receive a detailed preparation guide. In general, we recommend:

-Arriving with clean, ready hair

-Avoiding heavy makeup on children

-Bringing nude undergarments or strapless options if applicable

-Ensuring your child has eaten beforehand and is well-rested

How long does the session last?

Each session includes roughly 20 minutes of shooting time on the set, with total studio time averaging 40 minutes, allowing for costume changes and styling. Timing may vary slightly based on age, comfort level, and readiness.

Do parents participate in the session?

Absolutely — parents are highly encouraged to take part in the experience. We offer mermaid tails & suits in sizes up to 24, allowing families to enjoy this magical moment together. Participating alongside your child often makes the experience even more meaningful and memorable for them.

While all posing and direction is guided by our professional staff, we truly appreciate parents’ help in encouraging cooperation and helping their child feel comfortable. If a child feels nervous or unsure, having a parent nearby can make all the difference, and we may invite parents to step in to create a more relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Your child’s individual experience remains the focus of the session. We will always capture beautiful solo images of your child, and then include a few additional images towards the end of the session with parents for keepsake and memorabilia if parents choose to participate. This approach allows your family to share the magic — without taking anything away from your child’s moment in the spotlight. 🐚

What happens after the session?

Before you leave the studio, your virtual viewing appointment will be scheduled with our team. This private appointment takes place from the comfort of your home and allows you to view your images and build your custom image collection. This appointment is the perfect time to ask all the questions while out art directors guide you through viewing all your images etc.! Everyone looks forward to this part just as much as the photo session!

How long is the virtual viewing appointment?

Your viewing appointment lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and is personally guided by one of our art directors. We like to think of it as a fun, relaxed hour you’ll truly enjoy. It’s designed to be an enjoyable, unhurried experience where you canreally  savor your images.

Where does the viewing appointment take place?

Your viewing is held virtually in the comfort of your own home. You may join from your phone or laptop, though we highly recommend using a laptop for the best viewing experience.

What is your cancellation or reschedule and refund policy?

The $99 reservation fee is non-refundable and secures your in-studio photo session date and time. If you choose to purchase an image package after your session, this fee is applied toward your collection.

If you need to reschedule your in-studio session, we kindly ask that you notify us as soon as possible and no later than seven (7) business days prior to your session date, so we may attempt to accommodate your request based on availability. Because your session time is reserved exclusively for you, cancellations, late reschedules, and no-shows result in forfeiture of the reservation fee.

Following your photo session, you will participate in a private virtual viewing appointment with one of our art directors. This appointment is also reserved specifically for you, and if it must be rescheduled after the initial scheduling, a deposit will be required to secure a new viewing time, as our art directors designate their schedules accordingly.

These policies allow us to maintain the highest level of service while respecting the time and resources dedicated to each client.

Are financing options available?

Yes — we offer flexible financing options that allow families to create beautiful collections while staying within their preferred budget. Your art director will go over all options available to you during your virtual viewing which is scheduled with our team after your photo session.

Where is the studio located?






Is parking available at the studio? 

Up Close Studios is located:
777 Petty Road
Suite 203
Lawrenceville, Georgia. 

Yes — free on-site parking is available directly in front of our studio, with ample spaces for your convenience. There is no need to pay for parking, and you may park just steps from our entrance.