What to Expect: Before, During, and After your Portrait Session
This is your opportunity to design the portrait session of a lifetime. My advice to you is to dream big.
Pre-session planning is an important step in designing and creating the images you dream of! Have you seen some photo ideas that you really love? Show them to me or tell me about them! They help me to develop an overall vision for what you are wanting to achieve. Tell me about yourself, too. What are your hobbies, likes, dislikes? What is your general lifestyle? Are you more Urban or Rural minded? Details like these can also point me in a general direction for session ideas that can be customized to fit you. Don’t be afraid to put a theme on a session either. Styled sessions are incredibly fun and are a great way to express yourself in a way that is completely YOU! If possible, it can be helpful to meet with me before the session day to finalize the contract, discuss wardrobes and props, and to also to help you become more comfortable with the person who will be capturing your memories. Can’t find the time? No problem. I have a comfortable and outgoing personality, and am sure to put your mind at ease!
Typically the first fifteen to twenty minutes of any session are an ice breaker for all parties involved. Through gentle direction and guidance I will help you to become relaxed and confident participant. Once you begin to feel more comfortable with the camera, I will naturally transition into a more candid approach. Those real, unscripted moments are often the most heartwarming reminders of your session. Don’t be afraid to laugh, tell jokes, and let your kids be kids. That is who you are at the most basic level and exactly what we are trying to capture. I do have an arsenal of tricks up my sleeve just for the little ones, or even those who are extra nervous, to help ensure full cooperation. If you are particularly worried about attention problems or have special needs family members, please let me know in advance so that I can develop a plan specifically to make them feel comfortable. Sometimes having a little more insight into the situation can be all the difference between a typical session and a spectacular one!
After your session, as you begin to settle back into your normal routine, the obvious question is when will get to see our portraits? I always require up to four weeks time for post processing to make sure that your memories are exquisite. This is due primarily to the fact that I very carefully hand retouch and enhance every single image of your session to make sure that each one is as perfect as you remember the moment to have been. I deeply appreciate your understanding and patience on this matter. Because I know that you will be excited to see your images, and also to sweeten the waiting period for you, I always make a Blog post, and/or Facebook post with a few Teaser images from your event to help hold you over.
Once your images are complete, I will contact to you schedule a time to meet with you again for a Viewing Session. This will be your first chance to view your photos and let me just say that this is one of the most gratifying experiences of my chosen career. I love to see how much my clients LOVE their images first hand, and this constantly reassures me that I'm doing what I was meant to do! Now don't start sweating bullets on me, this will be a casual gathering, perhaps over coffee or even a glass of wine and it can take place wherever you choose. My home is a convenient choice for me simply because all of my samples and personal gallery products are already there, but I'm happy to come to you if needed. This meeting is when you will select which images you would like to use for your included products, as well as decide which portrait art pieces you would like to spend your Print Credit on. Please remember that this will also be your only chance to redeem your Print Credit before it expires. So, come on over, look through some amazing product samples, and redeem your credit on something that you can enjoy for generations to come!
I look forward to getting to know you and I can’t wait to capture some fabulous images for you! Remember, I am always available to answer any questions by email at: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Amy Dillingham Photography