Why Consultations Are a Must for Portrait Photography
One of my favorite parts of portrait photography is getting to meet so many amazing people. I love connecting with my clients over their senior photos, family photos, and professional headshots! My clients have unique stories to tell and it’s my passion to capture that during their portrait photography sessions.
That’s why, once you book your session, you’ll also need to schedule a time for a consultation. When it comes to creating the best portrait photography session possible, it’s essential to fully discuss what you’re looking for. Being on the same page is the best way to get the best photos.
Here are my top reasons as to why consultations are a must for a Colorado Springs portrait photography session.
Let’s Talk Vision
Before you book your portrait photography session, I guarantee you’ve thought about the vision you have for these photos. During our consultation, we’ll discuss what ideas you have in mind and how we can make them a reality.
Consultations typically take place about 5-14 days before your booked date. That way we can fully prepare for your session. Consultations typically last about an hour and can be done in person or over the phone. If you’re looking to meet in person, there are several options for meeting.
- In our studio
- In your home
- At a cafe/coffee shop
Our studio offers a quaint and quiet place to discover your personality, passions, likes/dislikes, and needs. Meeting at your home is a great way to pick out outfits and props that you may want to use. And last, meeting at a coffee shop is a nice place to chat and get to know each other a bit.
After our meeting, I’ll be able to get a better understanding of your vision. I’ll offer suggestions on location, outfits, as well as hair and makeup styles.
Ease Your Concerns
One of the most common things I hear from clients is, “I’m not very photogenic.” This is just not true, everyone is photogenic! And if this is something that worries you, I promise you’ll feel more confident after our consultation.
Besides discussing your vision, during your portrait photography session consultation, we’ll also address any major concerns you may have. Concerns I sometimes hear are:
- “I’m self-conscious.”
- “I’m worried about blemishes.”
- “I’m not sure what to wear.”
- How do I pose?
If this sounds like you, don’t worry, I’m here to help you show up feeling stylish and confident. Like I mentioned above, during the consultation, I’ll help you pick out flattering outfits for you and your family. If you’re worried about an unflattering angle, leave that to me. I know a few tricks and poses!
When it comes to the appearance of your skin or hair, I have plenty of tips listed on one of my recent blogs.
Other areas of concern we’ll address are location and what to do if your location is no longer available or if there is inclement weather. I always like to have a backup plan so we can do everything right the first time.
We’ll also pinpoint any other issues that could arise. For example, if you’re doing a family portrait that includes younger children or pets, they can easily get distracted and have trouble focusing on the camera. We can discuss the best way to get them to focus or how to make the most of the situation.
Post-Portrait Photography Session
Once we’ve figured out what you want in your photos, we’ll need to decide what you want to do with them after the session. Having this idea in mind will help make the session go more smoothly and ensure we get the exact shots we need. I offer a variety of products that are perfect for portrait photography. Some of the most popular are:
- Prints
- Coffee Table Books
- Story Blocks
- Digital Brag Book
- Time Capsule Video
- Stand Out Prints, Canvases, and Framed prints
For example, if you are a high school senior, I recommend getting Prints to hand out to your friends and family, a Digital Brag Book so your parents can show you off, and a Time Capsule Video so you can look back on your session with fond memories. Don’t forget to let me know your favorite song so I can add it to your video!
For couples and families, I recommend Framed Prints, Canvases, Coffee Table Books, and StoryBlocks. These are great accents that you can add to your home so you can display your cherished memories. Trust me, once you see your photos you’ll want more than just digital copies of them. Your portraits are something to put on display!
Build Connection
Last, and in my own opinion, the most important part of our consultation is getting to know my clients. Like I mentioned above, I love meeting new people and helping them tell their unique stories through my photography. I won’t do a session until I’ve met a client first.
Getting to know a client will help me understand their character, personality, and vision better. It will also help with picking out outfits and session locations. Plus, it lets clients feel much more comfortable before and during their session, and always know what to expect.
Portrait photography is supposed to be fun! I know how stressful it can be, so I want to do everything in my power to make sure my clients feel as comfortable as possible.
Once I know them better too, it helps me walk them through how to prepare for their session and what to plan for. The relationships I cultivate with my clients is really what sets me apart when it comes to Colorado Springs portrait photography.
Final Thoughts
At Capture Life Photography, I want my clients to have the best experience possible, that’s why I believe having a consultation is a must. Getting to know you will help answer any questions you may have, ease any stress, and make sure you are prepared for a great portrait photography session.
Are you ready to book your session and get to know me? Contact me or book your session here!
