Today I would like to share with you a little behind the scenes look at my work. My work doesn’t start with a session, it begins from the moment you send me the enquiry form. Yes! From the moment you press that send button, I am buzzing! I always want to make sure I give you the best photography service and meet your needs. If you are reading this as a client hopefully you will find it interesting to see how I work. If you are reading this as a fellow photographer, I hope you can take something out of it and apply in your client work. So let’s begin! How to plan a photography session.
The initial enquiry received from the client
Every client is different, however, once that first initial enquiry is through I always go back with the following:
- type of session required (maternity photography/newborn photography/family photography) and cost details
- details of product packages I offer after the session
- when do you plan to have a photography session
- who will be attending the session
- where would you like to have a photography session
Details
Once the first e-mail is sent and I have received a positive reply I confirm the booking including the following:
- confirming date/time/location and who is attending the session
- laying out the total cost of the session, required deposit, any additional cost for travel if required
Welcome Guides and Client Questionnaire
As soon I have received a deposit the booking is confirmed and date secured. All my clients will receive the following:
- client welcome guide which is packed with information for the upcoming session, including a ‘what to wear’ guide
- digital products and packages guide
- client questionnaire to learn a little bit more about the family I am going to photograph
- links to my Pinterest boards with further inspirations on what to wear
Day before and day of the session
Day before of the session I would send a quick e-mail or a text to double check all is OK for the session. I confirm timing and location just to be sure we are going to the same place. On the night before I also prepare all my equipment:
- charge batteries
- check all cards
- clean camera and lens
- prepare blankets if required
- prepare a silly toy
On the day of the session I prepare water and maybe some snacks if I have to travel a little further.
Session
Once I have arrived at the location I greet my clients and introduce myself to all. At this point, my camera is usually still in my bag or just on my neck. I speak to the parents first and then move to the kids. Sometimes if they are shy I continue speaking with parents. Kids then have time to listen to the conversation and feel more at ease. This works most of the time. If not I sometimes start talking to kids about their favourite things and that usually gets their attention too 🙂
I briefly talk to the parents how the session will look and we began our shoot.
After the session
After each session, I send a message to the client to say thank you for the time spent with them. I then start my post-session workflow:
- upload all pictures to the computer
- create copies of the photographs and back them up
- send sneak peek gallery to the client no later than 3 days after the session
- edit all chosen photographs
- send link to full client gallery within 2 weeks of the session
Packages and printed products
If the client hasn’t yet decided on their product packages I lay out the options to them once again as I did in my initial conversation. If they have selected a package with photo album I send them online swatches for the album covers and talk through the details. I also send a short video showing all available album covers.
For the album, the client chooses their pictures via online gallery and I then design the album. Once designed I send a link to online album view. The client then has a chance to review and swap any pictures on the layout. Once the client is happy I send the album for printing.
Delivery of the printed products
All printed products come to me so that I can check them and make sure everything is in order. Following this, I package your products carefully and send them over via post or if you are local I drop them by myself.
Thank you
If I deliver printed products I always add a little thank you card to the package. If the client went for digital-only products then a thank you card is sent by post as well.
So there it is! My little workflow I follow through with each client. I hope you find it informative and useful. If you have any questions or would like more in-depth information about any of the above just give me a shout!
Till next time
Ewa x
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