Photo sessions can be unnerving and stressful. There are so many moving parts depending on what you are shooting, or if you are the subject, there is a lot of stress as to how you will look and how the photos will come out. You are putting an investment of your time and your money and you want everything to turn out perfect.
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Regardless, here are 5 things to pay attention to before a photo session.
How Long Do You Have?
Every photographer has a set amount of hours they have set aside for you get to your perfect photo. More hours than originally agreed upon, usually results in an overtime charge. You want to be clear how long you have to get the shoot you want. Make sure you give yourself, and the photographer enough time to capture your vision. You need to be realistic about this. For example, is two hours really enough time to capture perfect shots of your newborn? What happens if they fall asleep, get cranky, or have to eat? If the shoot is for you specifically, two hours might be enough time. Make sure you factor things in like time of day, hair and makeup, and set- time. If you are shooting outdoors you are dependent on how much daylight is left!
Did You Sign A Contract?
You want to be sure this isn’t a detail you’ve forgotten about before the big day or you could have some nasty surprises pop up. Contracts protect everyone, the photographer, and the client. You want to have every tiny detail laid out in your contract to be sure everyone is on the same page. How much are you paying? Do you know what that price includes?
Think about things like how many final edited images you get and if you can purchase more if you like more. Many photographers will quote you the price for a certain amount of edited shots, but then show twice that many edited shots. You usually end up loving them all, and you have the purchase the additional shots. Make sure you have this clarified in your contract as well so you don’t end up with sticker shock.
Consider things like location, hair and makeup, and post-editing time when you are reading over your contract. You’ll want to know how long you’ll have to wait for the final product of course!
Shooting Outdoors? Have A Rain Date
This goes without saying but it is an easy thing to miss. There is a reason that outdoor weddings can be a bit risky. Mother nature doesn’t always play along with what we want. Have you talked to your photographer about what happens if it rains? Is he willing to wait out the weather or does he have an indoor option in case you get rained out?
If you are set on the outdoor location, you’ll want to have a rain date specified in your contract so if you wake up on the day of your photoshoot and it’s raining cats and dogs outside, you don’t have to fly into a panic.
Don’t Forget The Details
If you are the subject of the photograph, you don’t want to forget the details. This varies depending on what type of shoot you are having done, but remembering the small details matter nonetheless. For example, doing a Boudoir shoot?
If you are doing a Boudoir session, the tiniest details can throw off your pictures. Did you wax or shave your legs and underarms with enough time for the reddest to go down? You want your legs and the rest of your body to look flawless the day of. Are you nails chipped? Do you need to touch up your roots? You really want to pay attention to the details.
If you are doing a headshot session, you don’t need to focus on anything but your face. Consider whitening your teeth, and consider having your makeup professionally done the day off. While a photographer can airbrush just about anything, it’s easier not too.
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