While I try to include a little bit of how my process works in the “experience” section of my website, I wanted to go a little more in depth so clients can understand exactly what’s happening behind the scenes.

Book the Date!

Step one, a client books a shoot date! I have my calendar set up so clients can easily see what days/times I have available to shoot. After that, clients will be prompted to fill out a short questionnaire so I can learn more about them, how I can best customize their shoot to fit their needs, and so I can create a custom contract and invoice.

Let’s Make It Official

After a date has been booked and the booking questionnaire is filled out, I will go ahead and make a custom contract and invoice. The contract will have a spot that clients can put their e-signature. And then the invoice will include a deposit and a final payment. The nonrefundable deposit makes up 50% of the total photoshoot cost and the final payment will be made after the photoshoot. The photoshoot is not officially booked until the contract is signed and the deposit has been paid.

Prepping for Your Photoshoot

After all the official stuff is out of the way, I send my clients a bunch of styling info that will include tips, guides, and vendor recommendations for outfits/hair/makeup for their photoshoot.

Picking Locations

A few weeks before a photoshoot, I send clients my Location Guide that includes a curated list of locations they can choose from their shoot along with a few tips on how to choose a location. There will also be a link to a form they will fill out with their chosen locations. Clients can also come up with their own locations.

Planning Session

Some photoshoot packages include an in-person planning session. We’ll meet at my office of the day (usually a coffee shop) and discuss the locations you’ve chosen, outfits, props, ideas, and come up with a detailed plan for your shoot.

The Plan

After we’ve settled on locations (and after your planning session if you had one), After the locations have been chosen, I will send a detailed plan with what order we’ll go to the locations, specific addresses and parking directions. I always recommend clients keeps this email handy so they can easily access it during their shoot.

Just to Confirm

A few days before the photoshoot I’ll send a confirmation email. This email includes a reminder of where we’re meeting at what time and a checklist to go over before the shoot.

Just to Confirm Again

The morning/early afternoon (I like to sleep in) of the shoot, I send clients a confirmation text to make sure we’re all good to go. This might seem like a lot of confirmations, but I have anxiety and if I don’t remind people about meetings/shoots every five seconds I will assume they forgot. This is also so I can stay on top of my own schedule and by reminding my clients, I’m also reminding myself lol.

Time to Shoot!

And then we’re ready to shoot! I try my best to make all of my photoshoots quick, fun, and easy. If you think you hate taking photos, hopefully you’ll feel differently after a photoshoot with me :)

Let’s Take a Look at Those Photos

After the shoot, I’ll go home, backup the photos, and then I’ll go through and cull them (go through them and pick the best ones). My goal is to have between 80 and 150 after culling, depending on the length of the shoot. Then, I upload those culled photos to Pixieset and email them to my client within 24 hours of their shoot. From there, they can go through and choose their favorites. Depending on the type of photoshoot, there will be an allotted amount of photos they can choose with the option to purchase more.

Edits!

Once my client has selected their photos for their final gallery, I go and edit them in Lightroom. Editing usually starts with me putting my preset on all of them (my saved edits that I use for all of my photos to maintain a consistent style). Then I’ll go individually and see what adjustments need to be made to the color/lighting settings, if I need to crop or straighten, and if I need to edit out unwanted background objects, zits, stains, hairs, etc. Normally I start with one quick editing run through and then I’ll come back and go for a closer look and get really detailed. Then I’ll finish up with one final look to make sure everything is perfect (usually ends up being two final looks because I’m a perfectionist).

The Final Gallery

After I finish editing, I upload those photos back into Pixieset and send them to my clients within two weeks of them sending me their favorites. With this final gallery, clients can save, share, and purchase prints/products. Clients can share the link to their gallery with friends and family, and anyone who has the link also has full access to the gallery. I always recommend clients download their full gallery right away and put the photos somewhere they’ll remember so they’ll have access to them after their gallery expires.

Questions?

And that’s my process! If you have any questions about any part of it, please never hesitate to ask.