Business Details
17 Years
experience
Expert Senior & Family Photography Services
Candid Touch Photography & Design was founded on the belief that every senior deserves a portrait experience that empowers, builds self-confidence, and celebrates their authentic self. With nearly 16 years of industry experience, our owner and lead photographer Mandi Mayernik specializes in creating timeless portraits for graduating seniors, families, and children across the Tri-State area of Dubuque, Iowa; Galena, Illinois; and Platteville, Wisconsin. As a mother of two and graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art, Mandi brings both personal understanding and professional expertise to every session. Our approach combines a personalized pre-session consultation with customized photography sessions designed to capture individual stories.We prioritize printed portraits as enduring family heirlooms, offering premium products including wall galleries, albums, and specialty items like metal prints. Each session fee includes a print credit to support our clients' vision for displaying their art. Our studio maintains strong relationships with clients, many of whom have become like family over the years. We pride ourselves on making the photographic experience as unique as each client we serve. Our creative team draws inspiration from diverse art forms to produce unexpected, dramatic, and whimsical portraits. We serve clients from initial consultation through final product selection, ensuring every detail meets our high standards.
Services
Senior Portraits
Family Photography
Children's Portraits
Portrait Albums
Wall Gallery Design
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- 16 years of specialized experience in senior and family portraiture
- Customized sessions tailored to personal stories and individuality
- Complimentary print credit with all session fees
- Commitment to printed photography as enduring family heirlooms
- Personalized service from consultation to final product selection
What people say
Empowering experience
Builds self-confidence
Capture the real you
Cherished memories
Beautiful results
Services
Senior Portraits
Custom senior portrait sessions tailored to individual personalities and milestones. Our experienced photographers create empowering experiences that highlight each student's unique story through professional lighting, setting, and wardrobe coordination. Sessions include guidance on presentation options for displaying portraits in homes.
Family Photography
Timeless family portraits capturing multi-generational connections. Our sessions accommodate extended families with coordinated composition techniques and multiple outfit changes. We specialize in creating cohesive gallery displays that showcase family dynamics and relationships.
Children's Portraits
Creative portraits for children aged 6 months to 14 years. Our approach adapts to different developmental stages with specialized lighting and engagement techniques. We focus on capturing authentic expressions and developmental milestones in both studio and natural settings.
Portrait Albums
Custom-designed photo albums featuring professional binding and archival-quality materials. Our album design service creates cohesive narratives from portrait sessions, with multiple size and finish options for lasting preservation of important memories.
Wall Galleries
Professional wall gallery design and installation services. We offer curated presentation options including traditional framed prints, canvas wraps, and dimensional metal prints that complement home decor while showcasing photographic artistry.
People
Mandi Mayernik
Owner | Photographer | Creative
With 16 years of photography experience and an Interactive Media & Design degree, Mandi specializes in senior portraits, family photography, and children's portraiture. Her creative background includes museum exhibits and military training design.
Questions
What's included in a senior portrait session?
Sessions include pre-consultation planning, customized photography with multiple outfit changes, professional editing, and a reveal session with print credit.
Do you offer family portrait packages?
Family sessions start at $400 and include 45+ edited images, a pre-consultation, and print credit for wall displays or albums.
How far in advance should I book?
Summer and Fall senior sessions book up quickly - we recommend scheduling at least 3 months in advance for preferred dates.
What print options are available?
We offer museum-quality prints, custom albums, canvas wraps, metal prints, and collage boards for creating cohesive wall galleries.
Do you travel for sessions?
Sessions within 40 miles of zip code 53803 include no travel fees - locations further out incur a mileage charge of $0.52 per roundtrip mile.