From Booking To Photo Delivery: What To Expect • RI Family Photographer
There are lots of questions that clients and potential clients ask me as a RI family photographer, and I try to answer them the best I can. One question that I’m often asked about is about my process, or what to expect when you decide to book a session with me. That’s a great question! Different photographers have different processes, so it’s always good to ask so you have an understanding of how everything’s going to go, and determine if it’s the best fit for your family’s portrait needs.
Since it’s a question that I’m asked often, I decided a blog post on the process was in order! Read on to find out what to expect from AKP, from the moment you first contact me for a portrait session to when your images are delivered.
INITIAL CONTACT: You’ve decided you’re interested in a portrait session! You’ve reached out to me via email or phone. If you’ve emailed me, I’ll reach out to you by phone if possible in order to give you a more personal experience. We’ll briefly go over what it is you’re looking for, and then we’ll schedule your consultation at my studio.
IN-STUDIO CONSULTATION: This is where we’ll meet to discuss and plan your session. These are ideally done in my Charlestown studio, but we can do them over the phone if a studio consult isn’t a possibility for you. At the consultation, we’ll discuss what you’re looking for in a portrait session and talk about what your end goal is with these portraits. Do you want your photos to be in an album? Are you looking for a large statement piece to hang over a mantle, with some smaller prints to hang elsewhere? Are you looking for a multiple-print grouping to hang in a stairwell? Whatever your vision is, we can talk about how to make that happen. You’ll get to see samples of all the products I offer…you’ll be able to touch, hold, and feel them so that you can start thinking about what products you’d love to have in your home. We’ll go over pricing, clothing choices, and decide on a location for your session (if it’s outdoors vs. in studio), and we’ll discuss dates. We’ll talk about how I schedule outdoor sessions so that there is plenty of room to reschedule in case of inclement weather!
BOOKING: You’ve decided you’re going to book a session! We’ll confirm your session date and you’ll pay the session retainer to secure your date, and electronically sign your contract.
(OPTIONAL) DRESS CONSULT/TRY-ON: If you’ve booked a Special Edition Princess Session, you’ll want to have your princess(es) try on dresses from my Princess Closet to pick the perfect dress. This may occur at the initial consult if your princess has come along. If she hasn’t, or if we’ve had a phone consult, we’ll meet at my studio where your princess can “say yes to the dress!”
LEADING UP TO THE SESSION: I’m available for questions or concerns at any time leading up to your session. I’ll be in contact several weeks before to check in, and also the day of to make sure the weather’s ok for outdoor sessions and/or to answer any last minute questions. Don’t ever be afraid to call, text, or email with questions! I’m happy to answer anything, whether you’d like to text me photos of what you’re thinking of for outfits or you totally forgot where the location was or anything else in between. I’m here for you!
SESSION DAY: It’s here! Your job is to get dressed, show up to the location, and RELAX. I’ll guide you through the session so you don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ve got lots of tricks up my sleeve (and in my camera bag) to engage kids and adults alike and to make sure that we’ll end up with photos you love.
PERSONALIZED SESSION PREMIERE: About two weeks after your session, we’ll meet again at my studio and you’ll get to see the photos from your session! This is SO much fun…I get just as excited as you do about premiere days! There will be some tasty treats there for you and this is where you get to make your decision on what products you’d like to buy and what photos are going with which products. You can take your time to make your choices. Make sure that all decision makers regarding the portraits are present so everyone agrees on the final picks!
DELIVERY DAY: This is what you’ve been planning for since the very beginning: the day you receive your prints, canvases, albums, and other products in hand, ready to hang on your wall and look at forever. In general, you products will arrive within about two weeks of your session premiere. Once they’ve arrived and I’ve checked each one to be sure there are no flaws, I’ll hand-deliver your order to you. Need help hanging your canvases, or need a contact for framing your prints? I’ll help with both.
ENJOY YOUR PHOTOS! Now that your photos are in your home, enjoy them all day, every day. These are your memories. Treasure them.
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