The Benefit of a Pre-Session Meeting
Anytime someone books a photo session, I always encourage a pre-session meeting. A time for us to sit down in my studio (or over the phone if you’re more comfortable with that right now!) and talk about what you envision for your session, likes and dislikes, how you’d like to use your images after the session, and more!
We live in a busy, fast-paced, world - and it can be hard to squeeze one more thing into our schedules. But! That being said, below I want to share with you my top four reasons for penciling in your pre-session and getting the photos you’ve always wanted!
Topic #1: Getting to Know You (& Your Family)
You know you and your family better than anyone else. From likes and dislikes, jokes that always get a good laugh or smile, who is the most shy and the most outgoing of the crew, and so much more. Knowing as much as I can about your family and their personalities makes for a smoother, more enjoyable shoot for everyone, and increases my chances of capturing who you and your family really are.
A couple questions that I find most helpful to talk about:
Tell me about your family’s personality. Have you had their photos taken before? Is anyone camera shy? Who is the life of the party? When do your kids feel most comfortable? All of this information helps me make decisions on shot compositions and how to interact with your family during the shoot.
How can we make your images feel authentically you? What kinds of things do you enjoy doing together as a family? What kind of activities feel most natural to you? What feels cheesy to you? What kinds of images are you most drawn to?
Topic #2: Location Discussion
I love talking about the various location options that surround us here in the Wood River Valley! I’ve been shooting and living here for almost 20 years and I’m still finding little gems— new spots that spark joy. If you have a location in mind it’s a great opportunity for us to talk about the lighting, the time of day that will work best, and what elements of the location speak to you or make it special. If you don’t have a location in mind - that’s okay! I have a long list of options that have various strengths (short walks, good lighting at certain times, nice and private, etc) that we can talk through to find a good fit!
Topic #3: Plans for Printing
There is something really special about getting to hold your pictures. To see them up on the wall. To flip through an album of memories. Whatever your plans are, I want to help your vision come to life! Talking about how you’re going to use your prints encapsulates a lot of aspects of how we craft the photo session - do you have certain colors that work really well in your home that we can incorporate into the shoot, are you hoping for a multi-panel canvas with images that will compliment each other, or maybe you’re planning on making mini-albums as a gift to the grandparents. Whatever you are dreaming of, we can work together to make it a reality, so the more I know ahead of time, the better!
Topic #4: Addressing & Debunking Insecurities
We all come into a photo session with inherent concerns or insecurities. What if the kids don’t behave? What if the weather is terrible? What if my kids are more camera-shy than I’m anticipating? What should we wear? Or maybe you feeling uncomfortable having your photo taken. It’s all okay, these are all normal feelings to have. During the pre-session we have the chance to talk about whatever you may be feeling concerned about and make a plan. Whether it’s keeping the shoot playful so the kid have a good time, making a backup plan for weather, or talking about tips for feeling more at-ease in front of the camera— I’m here to make your experience one that is both fun and creates images you’ll love!
Interested in booking a session? I’m excited to work with you! You can book online by clicking the button below, reach out to me through this contact form, or call me at the studio at 208-788-2849.
