You might feel like you're taking a leap of faith when you schedule a session with a seasoned portrait photographer. It can be intimidating to entrust a stranger with your pictures and experience. And figuring out what to wear, organizing and enlisting the help of your family, and worrying about how everyone will appear in photographs can cause stress.
The good news is that a lot of your stress can go away–You can feel at ease with the right photographer. They’ll assist you in finding a great location and get you ready for the session itself. They’ll also address your concerns about how you’ll look in the pictures. You're not unphotogenic! You're beautiful and deserve to surround yourself with images that make you happy. You'll never forget the experience, and the results will be even better the more you relax and enjoy the process.
Every portrait photographer wishes their clients understood the following list of things. By the time you're finished reading, I hope you'll feel a little more comfortable in front of the camera as well as a little more prepared for your own session.
I don't assume that you know how to pose.
I hear this from almost all of my clients: "I don't know how to pose!" "What do I do with my hands?" is another typical question.
You don't need to know how to pose, let’s start with that. When I photograph sessions, I don't expect my clients to be professional models who have spent months perfecting their smile in front of the mirror. I get a lot of satisfaction out of guiding my clients through poses that feel authentic and natural, and I am happy to do the same for you.
Bonus: I do things a bit differently than most family photographers. The majority of your session won’t be you in one spot posing for the camera. We’ll plan a fun activity so your family can focus on each other, sparking genuine connection and expressions.
I don't always feel comfortable in front of the camera either!
Many photographers will admit that we don’t enjoy having our picture taken. Whether it's a fresh headshot or family photos with the kids, we experience the same awkwardness and discomfort that you do. After all, we're usually working behind the scenes and not in front of the camera! So, if you feel nervous during your portrait session, keep in mind that the photographer has probably been through something similar, which makes them able to understand how you feel and help you through it.
I will only provide you with the best portraits.
When clients inquire about receiving all of the unedited photos from their session, I always say no—and with good reason. My clients always get the best-quality photos that have all been edited in my unique style. Why would you want images of yourself where you’re sneezing or your child’s eyes are closed? Those photographs are referred to as outtakes for good reason. While they are a normal part of every photographer’s camera roll, they don’t see the light of day in a client gallery. I prefer to give my clients finished, polished portraits that they will love, and trust me - there will be plenty for you to choose from!
The location isn't quite as important as you might think.
Although it should be taken into account, the success of your photo session does not hinge on the location. Keep in mind that what the photographer sees when observing a scene differs from what you can see with your naked eye. We can still take pictures that will make you gasp, even if you don't have the "ideal" setting, the weather isn't ideal, or something else is making you anxious. Anywhere you look, you can find beauty.
I put a lot of time and love into your pictures behind the scenes.
Photography is made up of many different small parts, not just pressing a button. It takes years of education and experience, as well as countless hours of culling, editing, and retouching. At the time I take your photos, they are not fully finished. In fact, it can take me anywhere from a few hours to several days to choose the best portraits and edit them to their highest quality. I do everything from overall color toning to blemish retouching. Although it takes a lot of work to create the images you see in my portfolio, the effort is well worth giving my clients images they will cherish for years to come.
You should always have your photographs printed.
Too often, people forget about their digital photos and let them sit on a hard drive instead of printing them in an album or as wall art for their home. (I can relate, as I’ve done this too!) Posting a few on social media isn’t enough. A few posts later, they’re old news. You put too much effort into dressing and wrangling your family to have your pictures forgotten about so quickly. And trust me, your children want to see themselves on the wall! For this reason, wall art and other printed art products are extremely important to me. I want my clients to enjoy their portraits to the fullest and to proudly display them in their homes so they, their friends, and family can see and appreciate them every day.
Your positive reviews and recommendations are extremely valuable.
The success of every small business is greatly affected by word-of-mouth referrals and written reviews. If you’ve enjoyed working with me, please tell your friends and family about me! Please leave a review on my Google business page. These little things matter so much to me and can help me continue to grow my business. Thank you so much!
0 Comments