WHAT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WANTS YOU TO KNOW

AKA - WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW ;)


A few things I, and most likely, any other photographer you know, want you to know!


EVERY SHOOT IS DIFFERENT.

You can Pinterest board the hell out of your photo shoot, create mood boards, and have ideas, but your photo shoot will NOT be the same as someone else's. I do love seeing your inspiration and ideas, but please understand, that those are good for that only - INSPIRATION! The smallest of details can impact the way a photo looks:

  • Light
  • Time of day
  • Location
  • Attitude
  • Wardrobe
  • Comfortability with your photographer

Even though it won't turn out exactly like your Pinterest board, you will still love it!

CONNECTION IS KEY.

Listen, I'm not looking to be your BFF (although I have definitely met people who I have become real friends with), but it tends to work best if we form a comfortable relationship! When I ask you questions or try to chat you up, I am trying to form that bond. When you can open up and get comfortable with your photographer, that's when the real magic happens!


TRUST THE PROCESS.

Before I met you, I practiced, and practiced, and practiced! In fact, I still practice. I still attend workshops and take courses. I still shoot for free to try new things and extend my portfolio and skill set. I am always working on getting better. Please trust me! I might ask you to do something strange, but it is always with purpose. When I suggest a time of day to shoot, it is because it will be the best light (this is very important for the way your photos will turn out).

SERIOUS CAN BE GOOD.

The smiling photos aren't always the best ones. Don't skip over the ones where people look serious or even a little upset. Real life isn't perfect, and if your child is looking serious or even angry, you will still cherish those memories 10 years from now. I aim to capture a mix of posed and documentary style images, so you will get lots of candid moments, and not all of them are picture perfect.

GREAT PHOTOS TAKE TIME.

Lots of the best images I have captured were only made possible because I had the time to do so. When you book a regular session with me even though it says 1 hour, sometimes I shoot up to 2 hours to deliver the best possible photos. During a wedding day, if you want images that seem extremely natural and candid, you need to leave time to allow those to naturally unfold. While I do direct as much as possible to show genuine connections between people, when I have time to let those connections happen authentically, the results are always better. Sometimes taking time just means waiting for the right time of day, sometimes it means time for kids to warm up to the camera, sometimes it means allowing yourself time for natural moments to unfold. I do find some of my clients book me specifically for my creative images and those especially can take time to make.

DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING.

After you get your photos back, let me know what you think! I am often left wondering if people actually like their photos. Lot's of people never respond with a "Thanks, got the photos", "These are great!" or any indication of how they feel about their final product. I really am trying my best to make art for you. Feedback is and important part of the process for me!


WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM!

Going into the photoshoot, we both have the same goal. Come out of the experience feeling positive, and loving the photos! I want that just as much as you :)