We will be working through three stages for your shoot. How extensive we get with each depends on what you are wanting to do and what your budget is. While this may sound complex, it really isn’t at all for most scheduled sessions. By breaking the session down we can bring greater attention and quality to your final images.

PRE-PRODUCTION: 

This is the phase where we discuss your shoot, the images you want, and plan. Obviously, this includes discussing such things as number of final images and exactly what you are looking for. Once that is covered, we discuss details about where, when and how that will occur.

Thus, if your session is an outdoor one, it will include planning the perfect location(s). Even if it is indoor but on-location, we’ll discuss the space needed, the lighting there and so forth. We might also discuss “staging” the scene’s setting for a great outcome. Likewise, often there’s a need to discuss and plan wardrobe and hair & makeup. If applicable, props and gathering necessary things as needed are arranged.

In summary, this stage is the “blueprint” stage where we discuss, think about, and “design” your photo session. That way, surprises are minimized and we both have a clear and agreed-upon understanding of what you are wanting for your images. Ultimately the idea is that the more we plan and focus, usually the better the outcome! Our mutual goal is to develop a solid schedule and plan to successfully execute your session. On very simple shoots, this phase is very minimal and can be done over the phone, via text messages, or by social media. However, on more complex and elaborate shoots, this might require several meetings, scouting trips, and gathering of necessary components.

PRODUCTION: 

Once we’ve planned and done all of the designing and preparation, then we shoot in-camera and perform the actual image captures! This stage is known as production. Moreover, sometimes it consists of extensive and elaborate sessions on multiple locations with several wardrobe changes. However, at other times it may be a simple studio headshot session with just one “look” but with a few different poses. However extensive this phase is comes down to simply what it is you need and want. Once we have the shots done in-camera, they will need editing as well as retouching. This leads us to stage three.

POST-PRODUCTION: 

EDITING is simply selecting the shots you like. Editing is a culling process that leaves only the best number of shots you want to move forward with. The ones chosen are known appropriately as “selects.” Once that is done, then I perform RETOUCHING in software apps such as Photoshop or Capture One. Once the retouching is done they then become known as “final selects” and are ready for delivery. Post-production, as in the above stages, can be complex or simple depending upon the need. On simple images such as headshots, it may be that I simply edit the best images myself without much input from you at all. In other packages, I may deliver “proofs” either via an Internet platform for you to review privately, or perhaps we might have a meeting where we go over the images together while viewing them on a laptop. 

SUMMARY:

As you might expect, all three phases are critical to getting good results and each is important. This is dependent upon the nature of your imaging needs as again, packages vary in how much time is really necessary for each phase.