Portrait Sessions – What To Expect With Your Appointment, Photo Session, Proofing and Ordering

Is your first time sitting for photographic portraits?

Are new to portrait photography?

Are you interested in what our particular methodology for a portrait session, proofing, and ordering would be like?

We think it is important to have a grasp of what will occur during your portrait photo session, what will happen, and what you need to know.

Portraits are not intimidating! They can and should be fun and exciting. You will be left with visual memories that last a lifetime.

Here is some more information – start to finish – about what to expect from a studio portrait session in Ellicott City, Baltimore and the surrounding areas when you book with Elusion.

Simple Session Appointment Process

If you are interested in individual, couple, group, or family portraits, the first step is to contact us or book online

We will email you information in PDF format or have it ready when you arrive. You will need to fill out a brief client profile form questionnaire, review the pricing and payment details and our standard client contract agreement.

You will need to sign the photography contract prior to the session. This can be done in-person, via fax, or via a scan-and-email. Instructions and a FAX/E-Mail you can use for completing this step will be in the PDF.

Your time is reserved just for you, and we do not book any other events or photography sessions during your time – This is the same policy we have for our event photography. This policy allows us to provide you with unhurried, completely personalized and attentive services.

Because of this, we require payment of any balance due prior to the commencement of the photography session.

For event photography, you must submit a 50% deposit at the time of contract signing.

If you wish to pay via PayPal or Google Checkout (any form of non-paper/drafted payment), we will invoice you via email through PayPal or Google Checkout, but payment MUST be made PRIOR TO your session.

Confirming Your Portrait Photography Appointment

We will email you to confirm your photography appointment reservation and receipt of your paperwork.

We will send you a receipt for your payment via email as a PDF attachment.

We will also ask if you have any questions. We may have additional questions to ask you, as well.

Your Portraits and Planning Your Portrait Theme

If your entire room is purple, and you are interested in a portrait, we might suggest you wear a contrasting or complementary color to either blend with the purple or in contrast pop out from the wall. We can also help you figure out the best size and style for any wall art you wish to incorporate into your room.

If you have special requirements such as colors or props, we advise that you discuss them with as soon as possible – us a few weeks or several days – prior to your appointment.

On-Location Photo Considerations

If your locations will be on-location rather than in the studio, you will need to select a place to be photographed. We can assist you with your selection. The location can be a place that is special to you such as a building, park, neighborhood or restaurant. Maybe it is where you got engaged, a favorite coffee shop, the place you work, or the place you like to spend time.

Some locations are better than others. Time of day, sun position, time of year, colors, and other factors affect the mood of the photos. We will discuss the look you would like from the photos, and help you select a location based on your personality and desired final product.

Weather can be an important factor when deciding on a location. Here are some other issues you should consider: Is the location safe and will you feel comfortable there? Will it be cold and is standing outdoors for an hour in the cld something you would really like to do? Is it the rainy season? Are the leaves changing? Do you have allergies this time of year? Does the location have any useful props like benches or a playground? Will there be any hindering background or foreground issues (like a smokestack behind the pretty trees)? We can help you analyze a location. If the location is privately owned, it may also be necessary to obtain permission to take photographs there. If in doubt, it is always better to ask.

We request that our clients handle negotiation with their preferred venue(s) prior to the day of the session if the location is a building such as a restaurant or other private business. If a fee is required by the establishment to allow photography, it is left to our clients’ discretion whether they would like to pay the fee to the venue or find another venue altogether.

The Day of Your Portraits

When we start taking photographs, sometimes during the first few minutes people may feel awkward or shy. You may not be sure how to act or how to pose your body. Rest assured — We will help you! There is no need to be nervous, and most people open up after a few minutes.

We want you to try to relax and have fun because natural smiles and poses make the best photos. We will do some introductory activities to lighten the mood and loosen up. We will start with you doing what comes naturally and then start exploring poses and composition tailored for you.

During the photography session you just need to act naturally and listen to the guidance we give, and let us know if you have any ideas you would like to explore. We will try to accomodate some requests for poses or backgrounds during the session, but some things just do not work when seen through the lens.

We will make a few moves or shifts in perspective for each photo we setup. We will work on several creative ideas for separate compositions, and there will be even more variance within each change. For instance, we may stand on something, have you stand on something, position you towards the light, away from the light, sitting, standing, etc. We will never make you do anything you are not completely comfortable with.

If you ever need a break or have questions or concerns, please let us know! This is your time and we want you to be comfortable and enjoy the experience.

We can show you any of the shots in-camera if you want feedback, but we will not do this unless asked. Sometimes, however, we will show you a few if we are excited about them or to give you an idea of what we are going for, which helps you and us. The photos in-camera are small, and do not completely reflect what post-processing will add, but they will give you an idea of the final pose or look.

Portrait Session Wrap-Up

At the end of your time, we will wrap up by ending the session and answering any questions you have.

We can show you any product samples (frames, paper types, etc) we have on hand to give you a tactile and visual feeling for what kinds of products you may want to add to your home. We know it can be difficult to choose products based on photos of products seen only online, so we find that this helps tremendously in the choosing process.

Photographic Post Processing

After the shoot, we will copy the photos from our memory card(s) to a computer, back them up, and begin post-processing.

Post-processing involves cropping, adjusting exposure, retouching blemishes and performing other tweaking and corrections. The entire process normally takes approximately 2-4 weeks.

Proofing (Viewing and Selecting Your Photos)

When the photos have completed post-processing, we will email you to let you know that your proofs are ready but not yet online.

We will request that you select a Four Day Window for proofing during which your images will be online for you to view, select, and order your prints and products.

Please be sure you will have sufficient time during this window to spend viewing and reviewing your photos to select your favorites and place your order for prints and products.

Why a four day window? We find that it is easy to forget about your photos or put off proofing. Days become months, months become years, and the value you intended to receive from your photography session is never realized. Four days allows us to provide you with completely personalized attention.

We will upload your photos to our proofing website, where you can view them online and order prints. You can send the link to your friends or family.

We will be available to answer questions, help you configure products or framing options. We will help you select your favorites for an album or cluster.

If your package includes a DVD, we will mail your disc to the address you provided in your contract/questionnaire after it has been produce (usually 4-6 weeks after proofing).

Receiving and Enjoying Your Products

When you receive your products, we know you will be delighted with the quality of your products. If you have any concerns about the quality or workmanship of your products, please let us know immediately. We guarantee all of our products are free of defects and that the products you receive match what your ordered.

We will also provide instructions for caring for and protecting your artwork and products.