Preparing for Your First Professional Photography Session: Tips and Tricks

Embarking on your first professional photography session can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience. Whether you're a budding photographer or a client seeking stunning visuals, proper preparation is key to ensuring a successful and enjoyable session. In this blog post, I'll provide you with valuable tips and tricks to help you make the most of your first professional photography experience.

1. Define your objectives:

Before diving into the logistics, it's crucial to clarify your goals and expectations for the session. Are you looking to capture memorable family portraits, showcase your product line, or build a professional portfolio? Understanding your purpose will guide the photographer in delivering the results you desire.

Research and communicate with your photographer:

Take the time to research and choose a professional photographer whose style aligns with your vision. Review their portfolio, read client testimonials, and engage in open communication to discuss your ideas, preferences, and any specific requirements. Collaboration and clear communication are the foundations for a successful shoot.

Plan your concept and location:

Once you have chosen your photographer, work together to conceptualize the session. Discuss the theme, mood, and overall feel you want to achieve. Choose a location that complements your concept, whether it's a studio, outdoor setting, or a specific venue. Research and scout potential locations in advance to ensure they align with your desired aesthetic.

Coordinate outfit and props:

The choice of outfits and props can greatly enhance the visual impact of your photographs. Select attire that reflects your personality and fits the desired theme. Ensure that all participants' outfits are coordinated in terms of color palette and style, without being too matchy-matchy. If you plan to incorporate props, gather them ahead of time and ensure they are in good condition.

Prepare for the session:

Pay attention to the details that can make a significant difference in your photos. Prioritize personal grooming, such as haircuts, makeup, and manicures, based on your preferences and the purpose of the shoot. Iron or steam clothes to remove wrinkles and pack them carefully to avoid creases during transportation.

Embrace the experience:

Remember, a professional photography session is not just about capturing beautiful images—it's also about enjoying the process. Relax, be yourself, and trust in the expertise of your photographer. Allow spontaneity and natural interactions to shine through, resulting in authentic and captivating photographs.

Remember, a professional photography session is not just about capturing beautiful images—it's also about enjoying the process. Relax, be yourself, and trust in the expertise of your photographer. Allow spontaneity and natural interactions to shine through, resulting in authentic and captivating photographs.

How to Pick the Right Location for Your Session

As a photographer, choosing the right location for your photography session is crucial to the success of your shoot. A good location can make all the difference in the world, so it's important to take the time to choose the perfect spot. Here are some tips to help you pick a location for your photography session.

Consider your client’s preferences

Before you start looking for locations, it's important to consider your client's preferences. Ask them what type of environment they would like to be photographed in, and what kind of mood they want to create. If they're not sure, ask them to send you a few examples of images they like. This will give you a good starting point for choosing the right location.

I always have a location list handy and a detailed description of each spot. This is extremely helpful for anyone who is booking out of town.

Determine the purpose of the shoot

The purpose of the shoot will also play a role in determining the location. For example, if you're shooting engagement photos, you might want to choose a location that has special meaning to the couple. If you're shooting a fashion shoot, you'll want to choose a location that has a certain look or feel.

Look for natural light

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a location is lighting. Natural light is always best, so look for locations that have plenty of it. Avoid shooting in harsh midday sun, as this can create unflattering shadows and make your subject squint. Instead, aim to shoot during the "golden hour" – the hour before sunset or after sunrise – when the light is soft and warm.

Consider the backdrop

The backdrop is another important factor to consider when choosing a location. Look for locations that have interesting or unique backdrops, such as a colorful mural, a natural landscape, or an urban cityscape. Avoid locations that are too busy or cluttered, as this can be distracting and take away from your subject.

In conclusion, choosing the right location for your photography session takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the end. By considering your client's preferences, the purpose of the shoot, natural light, the backdrop, and any permits or fees, you can ensure that your shoot is a success.

Happy shooting!

Krystal & Taylor | Engagement Session

Rain, rain - DON’T GO AWAY~

In all my years of photography, this past year, I have been so thankful for these rainy days. Why? because not every single session has to provide the perfect golden hour glow or sunny day. Do we love that lighting? Absolutely! I also love and apprecaite whatever the weather brings my way. Photography is a form of expression. I express my work through my art in photographs. I get so dang inspired when something that doesn’t go my way completely, and gives me a challenge. This rain did honestly exactly that, it challenged me.

Krystal contacted me a while back and told me how she wanted to finally get those engagement photos that she never booked. It seemed like every time they had a chance to do it, something kept coming up.. I loved when she told me, “My dear mama always did say if I didn’t have bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck at all”. I love even more that I got to be the one to do this for these two. They are so special and their line of work makes me appreciate them so much more. Krystal is a nurse and Taylor, he’s an officer. Power couple and mannnnn did it show through these images.

Can you say HOLY SMOKE SHOW?! They brought the h e a t to this session.

If it isn’t obvious… Weather doesn’t deter me, poses don’t deter me.. I am a gal who loves the art of photography and she is down for almost everything over here. They rocked the whole entire thing and were open to all of my crazy ideas + they had a lot of poses on their own. They just naturally jived with the camera and their personality really came through. Which is the MOST important thing for me! Poses.. sure. Real and raw.. pleaseeee.

I love my job. I really do. I also love being able to meet new faces and connecting on a more personal level. These two are so in love and I am so excited for them to start this new, beautiful journey together.

Lexi & Jace | Maternity Session

That Golden Glow

& that pregnancy glow.

Holy moly, Lexi delivered in that gorgeous green dress that she literally got from good ol’ faithful, AKA Amazon~ I was just so excited from the moment I saw her and how perfect the evening turned out. I KNEW that it was going to be an amazing gallery from the start. I tend to blab out during my sessions about how good the images already look because I am hype and I want to reassure my clients that we are getting SUCH GOOD STUFF. Honestly, Can’t stop, won’t stop. haha

Maternity sessions tend to be just a little longer than a full session. I am working different angles, variety of poses, and allowing enough time for an outfit change or for mama-to-be catch her breath from walking. #ifyouknowyouknow

Lexi chose the farm and I will forever say ~ SMART CHOICE GIRLFRIEND!

The variety is insane, the mountain views are beautiful, the golden hours are the best, we have a pond. Broken record? Maybe! Worth it still? Totally! I mean… even the horses posed for a shot..

The energy I have this morning could truly go unmatched with the caffeine intake I’ve had thus far and finishing a gallery is always exciting to check off the list, BUT - I am so excited to see so many reoccurring and new faces this year. I have come to learn that I never get tired of photographing at the farm, I’m loving these maternity sessions, and I love making new friends.

Here are more stunning images from Lexi’s gorgeously, golden maternity session~

Joy + Antwane | Farm Location

So, city style meets farm. Does it work? The answer is YES! I was blown away by the whole entire session and I was totally bummed when I couldn’t share my sneak peek to Facebook right away (some reason my account is restricted by someone that keeps reporting my posts, so that’s nice.). It wasn't going to stop me from sharing so I just made a blog post out of it because it’s FIRE.

I wish I could’ve taken credit to “que the fog”, but it just happened to be insanely foggy that morning from all the rain we had gotten - again, it just did not disappoint my creative heart. Ia felt like it just added this awesome touch to the images and gave it a whole new vibe. Rainy weather on the farm = foggy backdrops. It’s also giving me flashbacks from my foggy maternity session (Jasmin + Trent session).

Not all holiday sessions are going to look the same & that’s totally great. I get to photograph each session in it’s own unique fashion. That’s what makes it yours.

So Joy did wear the amazing heels throughout the session but it did not stop her from getting into those woods or climbing up the hill to get the shot. Sometimes pushing yourself to adventure a bit more is going to give you a bit more drama to your images and I am so glad she accepted the challenge! Heels & all - she was a total badass. We went all around, at least to the parts that weren’t swarming in mud baths. We had a rain for a week straight so I was just glad it held off for us to make this all possible!

Though I am currently hyped up on peppermint mocha coffee, lol, I won’t write a novel about the whole session (because I totally could). I am just grateful for how it all turned out and feels like the coolest album cover ever. Shout out these two for trusting me to get these amazing shots and traveling around our rainy, mess of a farm.