PC: Joelle Elizabeth Photography
BTS: During the Session:
The day is finally here! I am SO excited for your session!! I've have ensured during the process and checked in the day prior to your session, that everything still fits your schedule perfectly! We have picked a location, you've picked your clothes using my Welcome Style Guide, and we are all set up for the fun part; lets get this shoot started!
I typically scout out many many many locations for the sake of having them in my quiver. If the location we've picked is one that I have shot at before, I show up 30-45 minutes EARLY. This not only helps me to get a feel for what the day looks like & what the sun is doing, but also gives me a real in person look at the number one important part for consistency in our session; lighting.
I primarily shoot in open shade, which is anywhere that is shaded with open air above! For example, large trees, buildings, even mountains provide amazing open shade! If the location has been one that you've chosen that you love and I have never personally been to before? I will scout out the location a few days before hand. Yep! I will drive to your location, just to look at it! I get a feel for the location and what works best, then drive home. If there are specific ideas that I do have for that location, say shooting in the water at sunset, I will try to scout out the location the day before at the exact hour we will be shooting.
Check out Part 1: BTS Before the Session HERE!
I patiently (and with extreme excitement) wait for you to arrive! Once we get all settled and say our hellos, I make sure you understand what my plan is for the session. I give you an overall picture as we walk to our first location, and make sure that any other ideas are fit into the session!
I generally treat every session the exact same; family, portrait and couple. But there are some differences that happen for each!
With a family session, we try to get the individuals of the kids done towards the beginning of the session when all the kids are happy and in a good mood! I want to ensure that the individual portraits of the little ones are when they are at their brightest and most excited! I really encourage my parents to not make their kids say "cheese" or to force a smile. Many kids think that's the time to make the 'typical' smile or to get upset if they know they don't want to. My style is a mixture of posed as well as more lifestyle which is perfect for individuals!
My job is to let all my parents relax, and to allow the kids to be kids! Not every kids loves to smile, but every kid DOES love to giggle. This approach allows me to connect with them, bribe them with some candy (that I always have on hand for the end of the session) and get them to giggle. I want your kids to know that getting photos taken is fun! It's exciting and I will admit, I really try my hardest to make them laugh and be silly!
Portrait and Couple sessions are more of a one on one approach. We have a lot of wiggle room to play and have fun! We start off with making sure you feel comfortable and we do some simple poses to get you hyped up! If there is a shot that I love? You better BELIEVE I'm showing you the back of my camera!! I give all of my clients a lot of praise and positive words of affirmation because I KNOW it can be uncomfortable, and weird, and sometimes even awkward! But the more that you know that I love what you're doing? The more comfortable you'll feel and the more you'll enjoy yourself as well!
I give direction as needed and I gauge that on the couple or person. Some portrait sessions I don't give any direction because the person is trying to switch it up every shot by knowing their good sides and their poses! Others need me to pose them exactly! Some couples love to be all over each other and always hugging, kissing, snuggling, twirling etc! While others enjoy sitting there and looking at each other waiting for the next suggestion!
By the end of the session I'm sure you've heard me scream out loud "Oh my gosh yes that's beautiful!" and "I can't even!!!" and squeeeee with excitement at least 50 times! I have shown you the back of my camera at LEAST once (more like 5 times). I make sure that you don't have any other last minute requests and then I ask where would be the best place to meet up for the big photo reveal! We go our separate ways and then.. I go to work!
