You've probably heard me talk about the portrait experience or you’re interested in having your portrait taken and you're wondering why I call it an "experience”. In this blog post I'll shed some light on what makes this photo shoot an "experience" and will take you through what to expect.
It's just a photo shoot...right?
When many people think of a photo shoot, they only think about the time spent during the session. They don't see the rest of the work involved which, like an iceberg, is 80% invisible.
A portrait experience is much more than just a simple photo shoot. When you come in for your portrait session, you are guided through the process from start to finish and you are treated to a tailor-made portrait session that will create beautiful photos and memories for you.
What’s involved in my photo experience?
1. The preparation
Your portrait experience starts with a questionnaire to find out a little bit about what you are looking for and a guide to answer some of the questions you may have and to help you prepare for your portrait session.
We will meet to plan your session, to discuss what you’re looking for from your portrait session (style, location, what you will wear etc.) and to answer your questions. It is important that I understand your reason for holding your portrait session and what you want so that I can personalise your session and create photos and memories that you will love.
Studio dresses and accessories
The studio has a large selection of beautiful dresses, skirts, blazers and other clothing and accessories for you to wear for your portrait session. You will find beautiful maternity dresses, gorgeous evening gowns, pretty little dresses and skirts for girls and accessories that you are sure to love - jewellery, hair ornaments and yes even little tiaras for the princesses who come to visit me.
Your portrait session in the studio or outdoors?
You can choose where you would like your portrait session to take place.
If you would to hold it outdoors, we will discuss what kind of location interests you (a park, forest, château, in town etc.) and I will show you location options nearby to help you choose the location that is perfect for you.
If you prefer to hold your portrait shoot in the studio, you’ll be able to choose the background(s) you wish to use.
I will also advise you on the ideal time for your portrait session based on the location you have chosen (and the age of your children if you have any).
Please visit my blog to find out about the things to consider when holding your portrait session in the studio or outdoors.
Once the planning session is over, I get to work planning your custom portrait session so that everything is ready for you on the day.
I'm here to guide you throughout the process. Have any questions after our appointment? Great - feel free to contact me... I'll be happy to answer them. Not sure what to wear? No problems, send me photos of what you have in mind and I will be happy to advise you.
2. Your personalised photo session
The day of your portrait session has arrived and everything is ready for you.
If you have chosen to have your photo shoot outside, I will have checked the weather to make sure it will be good for the session and I will have contacted you in the days prior to remind you of the important information (and to discuss the weather forecast of course).
I will have prepared all the necessary equipment for an outdoor shoot - the camera gear of course, but also small towels to protect your outfits if you sit down, handkerchiefs just in case, little snacks (especially useful when I am photographing pregnant women or young children), wet wipes etc. In short, everything you might need to have a great portrait experience.
If you’re holding your portrait session in the studio, it will be ready for you with the backgrounds you have selected, the studio lighting ready to make you look amazing and the any clothes that you have selected from the studio wardrobe ready for you.
Your photo session will take about 1 hour but it is better to allow 1 hour 15 minutes if you have small children. I work at the pace of the youngest child and if they need a few minutes more to "warm up", I’ll take the extra time to ensure that they’re comfortable and you get amazing photos.
Once the portrait session is over, I get to work choosing the most beautiful photos from the session and prepare them so that you can discover them quickly.
3. The big reveal
It’s a few weeks after your portrait session and your photos are ready to be revealed to you.
You've been waiting...possibly a little impatiently... it’s finally time to discover the beautiful photos we've created together. When you arrive at the studio, you will have a private screening of the best photos of the session and then you will select the photos you wish to keep for yourselves (and maybe a couple you might want to give to family and friends).
If you are interested in decorating your walls with photos from your session, you will be able to preview them on your own walls during this appointment (if you have sent me photos of the walls you want to decorate of course). This really helps you choose the right photos in the right size for your room.
Once you have selected the photos you wish to purchase, I will carefully edit them before sending them off to be printed.
Once your photos have been sent off to be printed, it will take a few weeks before you can collect your beautiful portraits from the studio.
High quality products for your beautiful portraits
A tailor-made portrait session deserves high quality photographic products. The photographic products available at the studio have been selected for their exceptional quality, durability and ability to be customised for my clients.
When you come to choose your photos, you will be able to choose from
- Handmade photo albums and portrait boxes carefully designed by me, personalised with you and handmade in Europe,
- High quality wall art made in Europe, prepared in the size that suits your needs, and designed to stand the test of time, and
- Gorgeous portraits printed by one of the best labs in France on genuine high-quality silver photographic paper and designed to last a lifetime and beyond (they will not fade like the photos we had when we were young).
As you can see, your portrait session is much more than a photo shoot, it is a real experience with the creation of beautiful memories for you.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you’d like to have a chat to see what I can do for you - it would be a pleasure to chat with you about what you’re looking for.
No comments yet.