Preparation, Posing, and Post-Session Excellence + Free downloads for Photographers
Studio photography offers a unique opportunity to control lighting, backdrop, and every element within your frame, allowing for eye-catching, high-quality portraits. However, the success of a studio session hinges on meticulous preparation, effective posing, and thorough post-session follow-up. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you ensure every studio session is a resounding success.
I’ve created a few free printable checklists that you can download down below, be sure to grab them while you’re here.
1. Preparation: The Foundation of a Great Session
Preparation is key to a seamless and successful studio session. Here are the essential steps:
a. Understand Your Clients' Needs:
Pre-Session Consultation: Schedule a meeting or a call to discuss their vision, preferences, and any specific requirements. Microsoft teams is my favorite app for video consultations (and it’s free!).
Questionnaire: Send a detailed questionnaire to gather information about their style, desired outcomes, and any concerns. Having a quality CRM is so important for keeping all of this information together. You can use things such as Google workspace, or my favorite platform- Unscripted. I personally prefer Unscripted, as it helps track everything from bookings, questionnaires, contracts, and more, all in one place.
b. Studio Setup:
Backgrounds and Props: Choose and prepare the appropriate backgrounds and props in advance. Ensure they are clean and ready to use.
Lighting: Test your lighting setup before the client arrives. Have your key light, reflectors, and any other lighting equipment positioned and adjusted for optimal results.
Equipment Check: Ensure all your camera equipment is in working order. Have backup batteries, memory cards, and any necessary accessories on hand. If possible, have a second camera, just in case.
c. Client Preparation:
What to Wear: Provide clients with a guide on what to wear, considering colors, styles, and comfort. If you do not have a "what to wear" guide, I highly suggest creating one. Canva is a great resource for designing guides.
Expectations: Set clear expectations regarding the session duration, what they can bring, and any other preparations they need to make. Being prepared before the session is going to ensure it runs more smoothly on the day of, as well as respects everyone’s time.
2. Posing: Capturing Natural and Flattering Images
Effective posing is crucial for capturing natural and flattering portraits. Here are some tips:
a. Communication and Comfort:
Build Rapport: Spend a few minutes chatting with your clients before the session to build rapport and help them relax.
Give Clear Directions: Use clear, simple instructions and demonstrate poses if necessary. Avoid technical jargon.
b. Natural Poses:
Encourage Movement: Ask clients to shift their weight, walk, or interact with props to capture more dynamic and natural poses.
Use Prompts: Use prompts like “Look over your shoulder,” “Think of something that makes you happy,” or “Lean in closer to your partner” to elicit genuine expressions. Tailor these to fit your specific session (couples, families, children, etc.)
c. Posing Techniques:
Angle and Perspective: Experiment with different angles and perspectives to find the most flattering view for your client.
Body Positioning: Pay attention to hand placement, posture, and body alignment to avoid awkward or stiff poses.
Expressions: Encourage a range of expressions, from serious to joyful, to capture the full spectrum of your client's personality.
3. Post-Session Excellence: Delivering Exceptional Results
The work doesn’t end when the session does. Post-session tasks are critical for delivering exceptional results and maintaining client satisfaction.
a. Image Selection and Editing:
Cull Efficiently: Quickly sort through the images to select the best shots, focusing on quality and variety. Lightroom has a useful feature to select the best quality images, and then you can narrow it down from there.
Edit Thoughtfully: Enhance the selected images using editing software, paying attention to color correction, retouching, and any specific client requests.
b. Client Follow-Up:
Gallery Delivery: Create a professional, easy-to-navigate online gallery for your clients to view and select their images. (Unscripted app for Photographers is an incredible option for overall business management.)
Selection Assistance: Offer guidance on selecting their favorite images if needed, especially if they have trouble narrowing down their choices.
c. Additional Services and Products:
Print Options: Present a range of print options, albums, and other products to complement their digital images.
d. Feedback and Future Engagement:
Request Feedback: Send a thank-you email with a request for feedback to help improve your services. It is always nice to send over a small print credit, or a % off next session coupon.
Stay Connected: Keep clients engaged with newsletters, special offers, and updates on future sessions or events.
As promised, here’s your free downloadable checklists for pre, during, & post sessions.