What to Expect Out of Your Experience
Thinking I’m a good fit? Call me - or fill out my contact form, and I’ll call you. I’ll get an idea of what package you have in mind and we’ll talk about dates.
Then, I’ll have you answer some questions (via an online form) that will tell me more about who’s being photographed. This helps me prepare for our session. For example, if I know you have a child who’s very shy, but has a binder full of Pokeman cards - I can do a little Pokeman research and engage with your kid about those little creatures, so they’ll loosen up and I can catch the little spark in their eyes that surfaces when they get to enter that headspace. I may make location suggestions based on your group’s personality, size, or mobility. Once I’ve received your completed form, I’ll get back to you again and we’ll decide on time, location, talk outfits if need be - all the nitty gritty. I am careful not to overbook my weeks to ensure flexibility, if the weather demands it, so don’t sweat it if the forecast is looking grim; we’ll figure out another time.
Please bring half of your package price on the day of your shoot. I’ll meet you at our chosen location in the valley, and the fun begins. I’ll guide you through some poses and some non-poses. You’re welcome to throw out your own ideas if you have a certain vision - I’m open! I may give you prompts that are flat out ridiculous, but please - just roll with and relax into it. You may think to yourself “She’s crazy, that picture will not turn out” - but you may also be surprised. The good news is that you’ll be the ultimate judge - just indulge me, please, and then you get to decide when you see the results if it worked or not.
Once that fun is over, I get to relive it all at my desk, my dogs at my feet and the washing machine doing its thing a few feet away. I love this part, because I get to stare at photo after photo of your handsome and smiling faces looking back at me from the screen. I discard the ones that didn’t quite work out for one reason or another. I choose a few of my favorites, clean them up a bit to make them pop and shine, and text or email these to you for a little preview of what you have coming. Soon after, I’ll make all of your shots available to you in an album where you can choose your favorites. If you had planned on only 10 edits, but you cannot narrow them down from 17 - that’s alright! Just let me know when you’ve made your final choices. I’ll get to work polishing them all up (please allow up to 1 week from the time you confirm your favorites.) I’ll calculate the remaining balance based on how many photos you’ve chosen, and I’ll deliver your final edits once I’ve received that in full.
You’ll be able to download your photos in 2 different sizes - small ones, to use online, and a larger format that’s ideal for printing. Additionally, you can purchase prints directly from your album, where they’ll be processed at a trusted photo printing company and delivered straight to you.
Scope of Edits
I tend to keep my edits more on the natural side, but will do some light touch ups. When it comes to facial blemishes, I’ll remove anything that wouldn’t be there in another 2 weeks, and smooth out skin tones. I can typically remove most distractions like stray fuzz, and even swap a face from one photo to another, given that the photos are similar enough. I’ll make some color and tone adjustments. I do not do body weight adjustments.
Having said all that - be sure to show up to your session looking and feeling your best. Get those haircuts, trim that nose hair, and check your teeth on your way out of the car. Don’t hesitate to bring a small bag with a hairbrush or make up for touch ups, if you’d like. And if there’s anything in particular that you want addressed in the edits, please bring it to my attention. Together, we’re going to get beautiful photos for you.
What to Expect with a Dog Session
I have a couple of favorite locations, but your own backyard can work, too. No matter where we meet up, we’ll get the best results if your dog can reliably respond to commands like “stay,” “come,” and “look,” or whatever you use as their equivalents. I do my best to be in the most ideal position to get the best shots (sometimes even standing waste-deep in the river,) and I have tricks for getting them to look my way - but maintaining your pup’s attention and cooperation goes a long way to getting a plethora of images to choose from. So, if needed, take a couple of concentrated weeks to get them squared away on basic obedience before your session. Figure out what motivates them best - treats, toys, high-pitched praise - and we’ll be sure to incorporate it into their photo time.
Having said that, when it comes time for your pooch’s session, I’ll remind you to just relax. We’ll have a full hour to get the shots we’re after. If your dog is a little anxious about me and the camera or excited to be in a new setting, it’s alright. We’re going to try to have fun and not stress if they don’t cooperate with every request. We’ll try all kinds of things - some will work and we’ll get incredible results - and some will fall flat. But I promise, we’ll get some excellent keepers, no matter what.
I take hundreds, sometimes thousands of photos in a single dog session, due to their constant movement. I whittle them down to the best. Then you’ll choose your favorites, and I’ll clean those up and get them to you in printable and sharable sizes for download. You can also order prints straight from your album.