Why the In-Person Consultation is So Important

By , On , In What to Expect

In this day and age, we live in a fast paced society which seems to be picking up speed. So why, when our schedules are booked to capacity, is there a need for an in-person consultation before you book your family photo shoot?

When I photograph a family, I have two main goals. The first is to capture everyone’s true personality – the looks and expressions that only a few people have seen. I want to see the essence of who you are and capture it with my camera. So we may do things a little differently in a photo shoot than you are used to. 

My second goal is for the images I create to be treasured as works of art that are enjoyed by your children’s grandchildren. I may be biased, but it is my opinion that family photos are the most important luxury we can ever acquire. When a family member passes on, what is the first thing we look for? Photos of that person! When our children are grown, the new Mercedes that we had will not be of any importance, but we will be glad for all the moments we were able to freeze through the magic of photography. So I often ask my clients to take a moment for a longer conversation in-person as opposed to a phone conversation or email. Help me by taking a moment to discuss how we will create your family’s legacy artwork so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.

There are several purposes for the in-person consultation. First we will discuss how the photo session will flow. We will discuss what to expect, how to prepare, studio policies and my overall style. I will also show you the different products we offer, as well as, the different ways your portraits can be displayed and mounted. 

When I first opened my studio, I was very mindful of the fact that everyone has different tastes and styles. That is why I offer so many different ways to display your photos. I have an overwhelming need to make everyone happy. That being said, I am also very picky about the products I choose to offer. I will never offer something that I would not display in my own home. So you can be sure that the pieces I display are of the highest quality. 

Next, I will ask you what you expect to come of your session. What is your main purpose for the photo shoot? 

Is it to capture a milestone moment in your child’s or your family’s life? Is the focus going to be on one particular family member, or is your goal to get that one perfect family image to display in your family room? 

I will also ask you where and how you are planning on displaying your artwork. It’s OK if you don’t have a plan yet. That’s what this time is set aside for and I am here to help. Since I prefer to photograph with a design concept in mind, it is a good idea to think about these things before the photo shoot occurs. It will make the decision process much easier in the end, and you will have a finished product that fits perfectly in your home. 

If you have no idea where to start, think about these things: Are there any walls/rooms in particular which are in need of artwork? Are you drawn to a few large pieces or do you prefer many smaller images put together to form a collage? Do you like a combination of horizontals and verticals or do you like to keep everything symmetrical? What are the colors in your home? Is your home traditional or modern? 

Also, it is imperative that you measure the space in question. We want everything to look perfectly balanced and this cannot occur if your artwork is either too big or too small. After thinking about these answers, if you still don’t have a specific design in mind, not to worry. I will be glad to help you design your walls.

Finally, my favorite part! I will ask you to tell me about your child/children’s personalities. This is your chance to brag! Don’t be afraid to tell me too much. I want to hear all the goofy stories that, normally, only your mother will listen to. This is the best way I have found to get to know a child before I get to meet him. It is extremely important to me that I capture the true essence of who your child is. So I want to know every little detail.What adjectives best describe her? What are her quirks? What motivates her? What makes her smile? What goofy games does he play? Is he calm, quiet and pensive or loud and full of energy? I want to hear it all!

For a successful photo shoot, preparation is key so that you are happy with the outcome. Planning is the main purpose for the in-person consultation. And I can’t wait to meet you and your family and I know that together we will create something wonderful!