Everyone knows you should choose a photographer with a portfolio you love, yet many don’t realize that achieving similar photos requires following that artist’s unique process. To clarify this, I have created a comprehensive portrait photoshoot overview, detailing the typical workflow and approach I use. This essential guide not only helps align your expectations with the photographic process, but also ensures the end results reflect the style and quality you’ll find in my portfolio.
To reiterate, contacting a photographer because you love their work, and then asking them to recreate someone else’s work found on Pinterest, is never a good way to get images like the references you’ve chosen. Every artist, including myself, has a distinct method for creating the images they showcase. If you love my portraits and desire similar results, this overview is designed to provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect when you book your photoshoot with me, ensuring a satisfying and successful experience.
Portrait Consultation: Great Photos Start With A Plan
Every photoshoot with me begins with an initial consultation usually via phone or video call. This consultation is critical to the success of your photoshoot as it helps me get to know you and better understand how you’d like to be photographed.
Knowing which images from my portfolio you like most for instance will help me clearly understand what you like stylistically. Discussing these details ahead of time allows us to thoughtfully plan your photoshoot so I can get photos for you.
One of the key aspects of this planning process is figuring out and scheduling all of your personal care appointments leading up to your photoshoot.
This is important because to get the best portraits possible, we need to get everything as good as we can in camera. To this point, there is no single thing you can do to prepare that will make everything turn out amazing. Looking good in your pictures happens by doing lots of little things that build up to an amazing result.
Another thing we’ll cover at your consultation is how you’ll want your final photos presented. By reverse engineering how you intend to display your images, it becomes much easier to capture the photos you want.
As an obvious example, a Torchon fine art print you hang on your wall should probably be captured differently than a headshot you plan to use online. Knowing this detail ahead of time can literally make or break your photoshoot. It can also make the portrait process more efficient and reward you with much better photos.
In short, the success of your photoshoot depends on coming up with a good plan at your portrait consultation. Contacting me on Wednesday to have your picture taken on Saturday never yields better photos then a thoughtful, well planned session with good communication. It’s very much worth the extra effort.
Booking Your Photoshoot Date
Most people book their photoshoots immediately following their initial consultation. By submitting your deposit, you will reserve your photoshoot date, your makeup artist, cover the cost of your photoshoot and one image reveal session. Images from your session can be added to your booking fee if you know what you want. You can also submit your deposit and purchase your images later at your photo reveal if you’re unsure of exactly what you’ll want.
Photographing Your Portrait Session
On the day of your photoshoot you you’ll bring your outfits you’ve chosen and we’ll take care of the rest! Your features will be enhanced by my makeup artist and I will coach you every step of the way to ensure you look your best.
Since I believe in doing the absolute best thing I can for everyone I photograph, it’s important to remember that a photoshoot with me is a long event usually lasting anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.
It depends on the intended session obviously but for women, thorough hair and makeup usually takes an hour and a half to two hours by itself.
Your photoshoot after your makeover will require an additional 2-6 hours depending again on specifics. It’s important to keep this time frame in mind so that you don’t over plan your day. This can compromise your photos by rushing you session.
Photo Reveal
Roughly three weeks after your photoshoot we will meet up again for your photo reveal. This is when you’ll get to see your pictures for the very first time and purchase any images you want from your photoshoot. If you’ve chosen to have an album created we will also finalize it’s design during this reveal appointment.
My price menu explains all the different ways I can deliver your portraits to you and every option includes full res digital files. Although it’s always best to do your reveal in person, it’s also possible to do your reveal via a video call. This is usually the best option if you’re traveling in for your photoshoot for instance.
Every session with me includes one photo reveal. Additional photo reveals or amendments to your album design can be accommodated for an additional fee of $200/hr with a one hour minimum. To avoid extra fees just make sure all decision makers are at your photo reveal and be prepared to make final design and photo selections.
Book Now to Get Started
I hope this portrait photoshoot overview has given you clarity on what to expect when you book a session with me. If you’re drawn to my approach to creating beautiful portraits and wish to book a session, feel free to get in touch. I’d be delighted to start discussing your intended session with you.
