You know you need professional photos to showcase your brand… You know the value of investing in your own business… But you’re feeling a little apprehensive, nervous perhaps. You haven’t been photographed before so you don’t know what to expect. Don’t worry, you are not alone! Hopefully, this article on what to expect at your photoshoot will help to prepare you.
What to expect at your photoshoot: Before your shoot
The enquiry, consultation & planning
You’ve seen my work & like what you see, but what now?
Drop me a line & I will arrange an initial phone call. This is an opportunity for you to tell me a bit about yourself, your business & what you are looking for with photography.
I will talk to you about my work & the shooting process. There are a number of different options available & sometimes it may seem overwhelming until we’ve talked about your own requirements.
Because no two clients & no two photoshoots are the same, I offer a personalised service & customise every session to meet your needs. A photoshoot with me is an investment in your business.
Once you’ve decided that I am the photographer for you, a 25% booking fee & a signed client agreement reserves the date in my diary. This client agreement covers expectations from both sides & I am more than happy to share it with you before booking.
I’ll then send you a booking confirmation which will detail the process going forward. I will also give you a copy of my ‘how to prepare’ guide which includes lots of helpful advice on preparing to be photographed.
Then it’s the fun bit; planning your shoot!
We usually do this over coffee. I wrote a separate article all about planning your shoot.
I ask you to share a little about your brand vision, personality & values alongside any images that inspire you. The pre-shoot planning stage is very much a collaboration between both of us.
This is YOUR shoot & so your input is important. Please ask as many questions as you need.
Things to consider during the planning stage;
- Location – Where will we do your shoot?
- Clothing – What will you wear?
- Styling – Do you want professional hair & makeup?
What to expect at your photoshoot: The Shoot
On the day of your shoot, please be on time, or perhaps even early, so that you arrive calm & relaxed. I will let you know if I need time to set up.
If you’re having your hair & makeup done, allow around 90 minutes for this. Your stylist will let you know the exact amount of time they need. I’ll arrive just before you’re fully made up to do a quick camera test before your makeup artist applies the finishing touches.
Once you’re dressed & made up we’ll grab a coffee & start with a quick run-down of how your shoot will unfold. It’s often the unexpected that people are apprehensive about. This rundown will ensure we are both clear as to what we are doing. We will also plan for your clothing changes.
Being in front of the camera is actually the easy part. I once heard someone say that “a photo shoot is simply a conversation between you, me & the camera”.
I work as simply as possible, meaning I don’t bring an array of complicated equipment to your shoot. If need be, I will add a little additional light to make your images sparkle but I much prefer working with natural light.
Because of this, I will often time your shoot specifically to get the best natural light possible.
During the shoot please don’t be afraid to chat with me. I will start off by giving some simple directions to ensure you are in the most flattering light & position. I will guide & direct you as & when needed.
If something doesn’t look right on camera, I will tell you. My overall aim is for your shoot to be relaxed & enjoyable. This will result in photos that are natural, authentic & reflect the real you.
I may show you one or two of the early images so that you can visualise the concept but as a rule, I don’t show every photo as stopping to show you the back of the camera disrupts the natural flow of the shoot.
Just like with the planning, the shoot is a collaboration & so please feel free to share your thoughts & ideas with me.
What to expect at your photoshoot: After your shoot
Proofing & image delivery
Towards the end of your shoot, we will review your plan & brief to make sure we have captured everything you need. You then go home & relax & I go home to start processing your photos!
It usually takes around two weeks for your photos to be ready.
I start by downloading them onto my computer & immediately backing them up to an external hard drive to keep them safe.
Then I begin the edit. You won’t see all of the photos taken so my first step is to select the best ones. I delete the ones where you blinked or looked away. As well as ones where the lighting or framing wasn’t quite right (sometimes I make mistakes & I’m not too proud to admit to it!).
I will then lightly edit the final selection. This involves colour correcting, making minor tweaks to the contrast & exposure, cropping & straightening. The photos are then uploaded to an online gallery.
Your online gallery
When it is ready I will email you log-in details to your gallery. This is a private gallery. Only the people you give the password to will be able to view your photos.
In your gallery, you can compare images, convert them to black & white & select your favourites.
You can download your chosen images directly from the gallery & use them immediately!
The number of digital photos included depends on which package you chose. You can also purchase additional digital photos through the gallery. Your gallery is live for 12 months during which time you can view, order & download photos as often as you like. A bit like your own personal image library!
Finally, when you’ve selected your photos & started using them, I really appreciate testimonials & referrals to help other clients find me!
And I am always on the end of a phone or email to answer any questions you have.
Why have I written this blog?
I don’t want people to stand in front of my camera feeling unprepared. I want a shoot with me to be a positive experience.
Knowing what to expect at your photoshoot can help calm any pre-shoot anxieties & nerves.
Still a little apprehensive? Still unsure about what to expect at your photoshoot? Get in touch & let’s have a chat about how I can help remove those anxieties.