Finding a good date for your session will depend on your availability and mine. It’s a good idea to have one date as a first choice and a second date as a backup. If there are small children in your group, I like to plan for an early morning session when everyone is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. 

It is important to have a budget in mind when booking a photographer. Think about why you are booking a photo session and what these images will mean to you. How do you plan to enjoy your photos? Think about the portraits you’ve seen in homes that have made you OOH and AAH. If you are going to spend your valuable money with a professional photographer, make sure you have something to show for it. And if I can get your printed products delivered to you with as little hassle as possible, that means you can enjoy your portraits that much sooner.  

I like to schedule a consult call to “meet” you – either on the phone or on a Zoom meeting. This is when I get to know all about you, your family, and why you decided to look for a photographer in the first place! I am happy to answer all your questions and even share some details you might not have considered. It’s my job to make your portrait session as smooth as possible, so leave all the worries to me. After we talk, I’ll send you an email with a booking link so you can reserve your date and pay your session fee online.  

Once your date is reserved, I’ll send out a few emails leading up to the day of your session. I’ll include an outfit planning guide and a link to examples so you can pull together wardrobe pieces that make you look great and feel comfortable. I will check in with you about weather, and if it’s a concern we will pivot to a new plan! I will share my ideas for locations near you, but also ask for your input about the type of background you want. On the day of your session, I’ll show up early to meet everyone so we can start on time. I love bringing out authentic smiles with all my clients, so be ready to laugh! In case you don’t know how to smile or stand or what to do with your hands – I can help! If posing for a picture is your pain point, I’ll give you clear instructions, but more importantly I’ll help you relax in front of the camera so you can say, “I actually had fun at the session!”  

After your portrait session, I’ll give your images a light edit and have your proof images ready in about 7 days. When you are ready to view your gallery, I’ll share a link with you so you (and anyone else you give the link to) can view the images and pick your favorites. After a few days, I’ll connect with you again on a Zoom call where you can place your order with me. If you have special requests (like “can you switch this from horizontal to vertical?” or “Can you swap out my closed eyes in this picture for open ones in another picture?” or “Can you remove that car in the background?”) I will write it all down. Your final selected images will receive full professional retouching, and you will approve all edits – and all custom designs – before I place your final order.  Your products will be delivered to your doorstep, ready to be enjoyed without you lifting a finger.