Whether you've booked, or are thinking of booking, a portrait (family, engagement, cake smash, etc.) session, it's so important to consider how that session is going to go! I absolutely love capturing memories, that's why I do this, however, I am not everyone's photographer- 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺.


I know.. a photographer admitting that they don't photograph everyone? For starters, my editing style is more moody with pops of color. Then you also have to consider how I shoot; I'm a lifestyle photographer, so I don't give too many "posed" instructions, unless I'm working with high school seniors or engaged couples. I rely on capturing more "in the now" kind of photos! Ya know, the ones where your baby is making the face like "what is this red-haired woman doing in my face" and mom is making her best, most organic smile yet. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 photos are what I live for!


I also have a very laid-back personality, but I also throw some bubbly in there. I'll admit, I use to be so nervous when it came to taking photos and I probably gave my very first clients the impression that I had no idea what I was doing (because I didn't). But even now, I still don't like to talk too much and I still like to focus mainly on the task at hand- giving you the best portrait session ever! However, I've definitely learned how to not come off as a complete hermit, and I love knowing that my clients walk away from our session feeling relaxed, comfortable and confident; that's the most important takeaway for me!

So what else can you expect from me?


Family sessions typically take about an hour, sometimes an hour and a half (very rarely do they exceed that timeframe), newborn sessions take about two hours (sometimes three), and smaller sessions like high school senior photos, cake smash sessions, and engagement photos, typically take about 45 minutes to an hour. So we'll be together for a good portion of time! I like to get on the phone or stay in touch via email, even before you've fully booked your spot with me.


What does that mean??


It means I like to keep you informed! If you have questions or concerns for me, I want you to feel 100% about booking before just saying "yes". I find a quick 15-minute phone call can put all of your questions and concerns to bed before we hangup, however, I know life gets super busy, so I'm very okay with keeping our conversations via email if needed! Once you have all of your questions answered and all of the information you need, we'll figure out a day and a time that works best for everyone involved. From there, you'll pay the retainer fee for your session (they vary depending on what you're having done), sign any release forms and contracts, and then I'll start sending over my prep guides! Keep in mind that once you're booked, communication doesn't end there until the day of your session; I like to send weekly, or bi-weekly, emails so that way you know I'm still thinking of you!

The Day of Your Session.


The day we've all been waiting for is finally here!! Whether it's been weeks or just a couple of days, I'm sure the jitters have hit you at some point. But we've been on the phone, you've gone over the prep guide, and you have my personal number and email for any and all questions. So... I know that we've got this!


I will always confirm the day and time 1 week before, 3 days before, and the night before our session so there is 100% no confusion or misunderstanding on anyone's part.


The morning of, I'll send a quick "can't wait to see you at 'time' and 'location'" text or email, and also inform you of the kind of vehicle I'll be in, what I'm wearing, and the color of my backpack (it's bright pink, so you literally won't be able to miss me). When it comes time to the session time, I'll greet everyone, and we'll chit-chat for a bit then make our way to where we'll be shooting. On the brief walk over, I'll ask you if you have any specific poses or ideas (even though we've already gone over this, but sometimes we change our minds or have more) that you would absolutely love to have captured. Remember though, I'm mainly a lifestyle shooter, so even though I will have some posed images for you, this is not how the entire session will go.

Once Your Session is Over.


Once you've survived the jitters, it's time to relax! My turnaround time for portraits is typically 2-3 weeks. During that time I'm going through every single image and editing all of the most amazing ones (yes, all of them!!). I'll put them all into a beautiful slideshow set to music, and then you'll have two options:

1.) schedule your in person ordering appointment at my studio

2.) schedule a day and time to have your 24 hour slideshow sent to your email


Option 1.

You have the option to see your images for the very first time in person, on my TV, in a comfy chair! Sip on some sweet tea, munch on some snacks, and do absolutely nothing else while you just drool over how amazing these photos look. The amazing thing about this option is that you literally do nothing- I do all of the work for you! You choose your photos of course, but I navigate through your gallery, I create the favorites list, and I help guide you to picking the most beautiful products you'll want in your home, and you'll be using your print credit (can't forget about the print credit!! Learn more about that here.)


Option 2.

This is also an amazing option because you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home! Your slideshow is available for only 24 hours, so you will need to choose a day and a time that works for everyone, but you can literally watch your slideshow sitting on your couch in your most comfortable sweatpants. There is more involved for you, though. You'll have to choose your images and create your favorites list, you'll also have to access the store and order your products, and then you'll also have to enter your print credit information as well as take care of shipping and handling (at your ordering appointment, you can just pickup from my studio).


Whichever you choose, they're both amazing options and they've been designed to be as convenient as possible! Once you've placed your product order, any digitals will be sent immediately and your products will take 2-6 weeks to arrive (depending on what was ordered; albums and larger products, like metal images, take longer). During that timeframe, again, I love love love staying in touch. I think it just puts everyone more at ease when there are updates involved.

Your Products are Here!


So your products are here- yay! If you had an in person ordering session with me, you've either opted into picking them up at my studio or you've chosen to have them shipped directly to you for an additional fee. If you had your ordering session through my website, everything has been shipped to you already. But we're still not done!


I'll send a follow-up email 2-4 weeks after everything has arrived, asking you about your products and your satisfaction. I'll also kindly ask for any photos you've taken of them, or if you wouldn't mind taking, for me to share on my social media pages! I looove showing off my client's products and how beautiful they are; I also love showing off how happy my clients are with what they've received.

My Referral Program.


Word-of-mouth is hands down the best kind of advertisement for any small business owner. When I receive an email or phone call and they say "so and so referred me", it makes my heart sing! I couldn't do this without any of you!! So as a huge thank you, I've come up with a referral program!


Anyone who books a full-priced portrait session with me and refers you by name, you'll receive 20% off of your next booking with me! That means if we just had your daughter's senior photos done, and now you're thinking of family photos, you'll receive 20% off my retainer fee!


Want me to sweeten that deal??


Mention this blog post and you'll also receive 10% off of my collections!