It's important to be prepared for your portrait session, because you never know what might happen. The last thing anyone wants on their big day is a huge photo fail! Before we get started with the list, let me just say that if you have any questions about these subjects or anything else related to how I shoot portraits, please feel free to ask me by calling/texting/emailing/DM'ing me at any time. It would be my pleasure to help answer your questions!
How many shots do you shoot?
You may be wondering how many shots we will take during your session. We know that you want to make sure that you get the best shot possible, so it's only natural for you to ask about this. The answer is simple: it depends. It depends on the client, what they look like and what type of look they are going for. It also depends on the location of where we are shooting and if there are any issues with lighting or backgrounds that can't be changed easily. In most cases, though, I think that my clients expect me to shoot anywhere from 100-200 images per hour (this includes posing time as well). If we only have an hour together then this would mean anywhere from 100-200 different poses so there should be plenty of variety in your gallery!
Do you photograph larger groups?
We absolutely photograph larger groups! We can shoot up to 5 people at once, with multiple cameras if needed. We'll work with you to make sure everyone is in the shot and have your group form a cohesive, natural-looking pose. If your party has a smaller number of members but still wants a portrait done together, we can arrange for that too!
What should we bring to our portrait session?
- Bring a change of clothes, especially if your child is going to be photographed in school uniform. School uniforms are very important and meaningful to children, but they can get quite boring after a while! Plus, sometimes the lighting in your house's portrait studio won't look as good as it does outside. We recommend bringing at least one or two changes of clothing so that you can choose what works best for your child's session. If possible, bring an entire outfit that looks nice on your little one!
- Bring a toy or two that your child likes to play with (and maybe even has some special meaning). This is especially important if you have younger kids who may get bored during their session. Don't worry—we will provide plenty of other ways for them to entertain themselves once we get started! Just make sure there aren't any sharp edges or small parts where they could hurt themselves if left unattended.
- Bring a favorite book or story for us to read together during breaks between shots—or ask us about having it read aloud in-studio by our talented staff member! We'll set aside time at some point during each session where we'll all sit back together and enjoy being together as we listen intently while someone reads aloud from this beloved storybook collection (or whatever else sounds nice!)
What happens if my child is sick or has a meltdown during the photo session?
If your child is sick, or has the sniffles, or if they have a cold—don't bring them. Unless you want to waste your money on a photo shoot where my assistant and I spend more time trying to calm your child down than getting good shots of him.
If your child has had a bad day in school and just can't stop crying—don't bring him/her. We'll still get some great photos out of it, but it will take longer because we'll have to work around her tears (and if he's like any other kid I've ever photographed before, he'll be convinced that any attempt at taking his picture makes him cry even more). If she doesn't get enough sleep the night before, we're going to have trouble too! This isn't an ideal environment for anyone involved because there are adults who need their rest so they can function properly during their jobs as well as kids who need ample rest for healthy development and growth.
Is it okay if I use my phone during the photo session?
Honestly, it's okay to use your phone during the photo session. In fact, the only thing you can't do with your phone is take photos of us taking photos of you! We're not going to hold that against you if you want to check your email or social media accounts or even play games or listen to music. As long as we know what's going on and how long it takes for you to get back into position, we don't mind at all.
It's a family or group photo, do we all have to look at the camera?
When taking a portrait of a family or group, it can be easy to forget which direction to look. Are you supposed to look at the camera? At each other? At your dog? It's a lot of pressure!
Here are some helpful tips:
- Look at the camera. The photographer will know what they're doing and where they want you to stand, so they'll want you looking in that general direction. And if they don't tell you what else is happening behind them, then just assume that whatever is behind them is also important enough for everyone involved with this photo shoot not only deserves their full attention but also needs it in order for any sort of success on this endeavor going forward - even if it means refocusing your eyes from time-to-time during said photograph session due its importance (and/or relevance) within any given scene being captured by said image capturing device known as "camera" (which stands on tripod legs).
What's the best time of day for a photo shoot?
So, now you know that I'm a huge believer in consistency. With that being said, there are some factors to consider when choosing the best time of day for your portrait session.
The size and direction of your subject's shadow is going to affect the outcome of your image. So if you're photographing someone with dark skin tones or an accentuated nose (like mine), then you definitely want to avoid shooting during midday sun because the shadows will be harsh and unflattering. You'll also want to avoid shooting at dusk or dawn because those times of day bring with them extreme color temperature changes which can cause unwanted flare in your images - not good!
That said...
If we're talking about outdoor portraits where there are no obstructions like trees or buildings blocking out light sources (like direct sunlight), then sunset might actually be my preferred time frame for portrait sessions. Not only does this give me some beautiful warm lighting on my subjects' faces but it also helps me achieve great contrast between light and shadow areas within each frame - allowing for stronger visual impact without having too much clutter surrounding our subjects' faces."
There's so much that goes into being a photographer. Being prepared will make your experience much better!
As a photographer, I wish you knew how much work goes into being prepared for a portrait session. It’s not just about me snapping the perfect photos but everything else that has to be done before and after I take those photos.
The biggest thing photographers wish their clients knew is that there are many things that go into taking great images besides just booking us up with appointments so we can make money. Yes, we need to pay bills and feed our families too! So when we’re getting ready for an appointment, we have lots of other things on our minds: what time do they want to meet? What clothing should they wear? How much time will this session take? What kind of lighting do they like best? Should I bring props or backgrounds? Is it going to rain today (and where will my gear get soaked)? You get the idea…
I know this may seem like common sense advice but I promise you it will make your experience much better! Even if you don’t understand why these questions matter now, by thinking through them beforehand (or even asking), you can help your photographer create better images which ultimately leads to more sales and happy customers!
The best way to prepare for your portrait session is by doing a little research about what photographers do. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and make your experience much more enjoyable. The next time someone offers to take your picture, you'll be able to enjoy the process instead of worrying about how awkward it might be.
If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your spooky portraits photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts.
Thank you for reading!
Affordable Portraits photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography. Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable Portrait photography.
