So you’ve decided you have to have Elly for your Senior Photos… great! But what’s next? Below is a list so you can know what to expect:1) First, we need to schedule a wardrobe and styling consult. This is an informal one-on-one brainstorming session in which we will…
…go over your wardrobe, accessories, location prospects, and any ideas, concepts or themes we’d like to incorporate into your session.
…talk about what products you may be interested in, so I can keep that in mind when it comes time to shoot. For example, if I know mom wants a 20 x 20 print of you to hang in the hallway, I will make sure to take some killer images that I know mom will really like, and that will also crop well into a square.
…after we discuss ideas for your session we’ll go ahead and schedule your shoot. The reason I wait to do this until our styling session is because, at times, we will come up with a concept that will only work on a specific date. For example, if we decided to take pictures at your school’s volleyball court but there was a JV Volleyball game on that day, clearly we’d have a problem…
2) So what do you need to bring to your Wardrobe and Styling Consult?
-three to seven casual and dressy outfits that you’d like to wear for your shoot. Remember: accessories are your friends… so bring those too
-It is helpful for me to see what kind of photos you like. If you have Pinterest, make a board of all the senior /model photos that inspire you and that you may want to re-create and send me the link. If you and mom have different tastes, have her make a board of her favorites as well, and send that one too… I’ll see if I can find a compromise 😉 I want to make sure I take a variety of photos that will be a hit with everyone!
-A parent. Since usually they are the ones paying for it and will want wall portraits and other prints, it’s important that they are involved in the whole process.
-If you have blank walls in your house or an area with outdated photos that you’d like to replace, take a picture of it and bring it.
-A check! Your session fee is due at your styling session. We will be investing a lot of time into your session before it even begins and we need to make sure you are invested too! Session fees are $250.
Between your styling session and your session date:
-Professional Hair and Makeup. This does make a difference. I promise. Although I have amazing editing skills, I can’t fully edit every single image and you want to look perfect in each of them (I’m assuming). Makeup and hair will help accomplish this.
-If we are going to use a location such as your school, speak to someone in charge and make sure that we have permission
-Put together your outfits and accessories try them on and take photos of yourself in them (in the mirror) or have mom take them. Sometimes clothing shows up differently in photographs than in real life, this can make a real difference.
-Put together any props that we’ll be using for your session.
-I want you to be as comfortable as possible so decide who (if anyone) will be accompanying you on your session. Make sure you feel totally comfortable and relaxed around whoever you bring. I suggest no more than 2 people, not just for you but me as well. If everyone is all awkward and silent behind me I get uncomfortable too! If you have added on a short friend or family session to your full session we will do those at the beginning that way they can leave afterwards.
The day before your session:
-By now we should have a full schedule set up with addresses and times. Make sure you print this or have this handy so you can plug it into your GPS if you get lost
-Get plenty of sleep! Also, cutting out salt and caffeine and increasing your H2O intake a couple days before can help reduce any swelling and water retention and also help w/ any bags under your eyes from lack of sleep.
The day of your session:
-Make sure you pack all your clothing and props for your session
-Leave yourself plenty of time for hair and make-up. If you’ve hired a professional, they can take anywhere from an hour to two hours so keep that in mind.
-If you choose to do your own make up, make sure to stay away from shiny bronzers
-Bring some oil absorbing sheets for your face with some powder, especially if you tend to have oily skin or it is hot outside. I use a lot of flash and if you have oily skin it will shine! We want your personality to shine, not your face. 😉
-Show up and relax, and have fun. It’s important and will show in you photographs. Let me do all the work.
After your session
-Anxiously wait to see your gorgeous images! It usually takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks for me to complete your full gallery.
-Schedule your order appointment and start thinking of how you’d like to use your photographs, and who you’d like to gift them to
-If you are interested in wall collections and we didn’t get a chance to do an animations of the different wall collections at your styling session, make sure and e-mail me photographs of your wall ahead of time so I can have them ready for your order appointment.
Tips for taking your wall photograph. It is usually best to take these photos during the day with day light coming through windows. Also, try to include furniture with these walls so we can visualize the wall collections better. If you would like to see wall collections animated on your wall, *lightly* tape or putty an 8.5 x11 sheet of paper where you’d like the photos. This will help me determine your wall proportions.
Order Appointment
-Bring anyone who love you and wants photos of you; mom, dad, grandma, etc. We’ll go over all the different packages and wall collections at this point.
-Your session only includes one Order Appointment so make sure everyone who wants photos is able to make it and is prepared to make a payment for their order that day.
-If you need two Order Appointments your second one is $50.00
After Your Appointment
-If you have ordered an album I will be sending you a proof through our online photo sharing website. Once you have approved it, I will send it to be printed. Our albums are quality albums from Italy, so it takes some time. Usually 4-6 weeks.
– If you have ordered Graduation Announcements, I will also be e-mail you a link to your customized announcement. Once you have approved it, I will send it to the printers. They usually takes about 4-7 business days to get back.
-Wall Collections and prints generally take 4-7 business days as well.
-Once all of your orders have arrived I will notify you through e-mail and we’ll schedule a time for you to come pick them up at the studio.
After it’s all said and done
-I really try my best to provide a unique and customized experience for all my seniors. My goal is for you to have beautiful prints, albums, and wall collections to remind you of this special time in yours, and your family’s life. If you feel that I have done this please recommend me to your friends and family. I’m a small one man show kind of business and I work solely on referrals. You are what keeps me in business and creating beautiful memories for a lifetime.
-Also keep me in mind for when you are MUCH older and getting married! 🙂
