After your session

Some things need to be intentional

You have invested a lot of money into your family photos, so let’s get your photos off your computer and onto your walls! I want to help you show off your adorable family.

The first thing I’m going to encourage families to do is to get your photos printed. I’m less concerned about where or how - but just that it happens. At the same time, I would love to give you resources so you can proceed with the confidence of a fine art museum curator.

Timeline for image delivery

After your session the waiting can be so hard! After our session, I head home and download your images onto my computer for safe keeping and it goes into my editing cue. If your session was shot on film, I have to wait for the digital scans to come back to me. You can anticipate your final image delivery 2 to 4 weeks after our session. This can vary greatly depending on the time of year. Late summer and fall can sometimes run longer because many of my families want their photos shot during this time.

Retouching 

All images will be retouched for color correction.  I am a true-tone and natural light photographer, which means that I photograph portraits to look natural and timeless.  I am happy to smooth skin and remove blemishes so clients can feel confident about their images! My rule of thumb is to remove a blemish if it won’t be there in two weeks (ie. pimples, minor scars, etc).

Opening and downloading your gallery

It’s so exciting seeing that notification email- your photos are done. The first thing people want to do is rush to download their images, but I would love to help you prepare beforehand to make the process easier.

First of all, viewing and downloading your images is going to be easiest if you are doing that on a computer rather than a phone. By having your images in a safe file or hard drive you can access them as you need to and share them on your phone or social media. Your downloads are going to be very large files, if you try to download them to your mobile device it is harder to find your images and it will take up a lot of space.

The number of downloads available to you will be dependent on the package you initially purchased, it helps to reference your contract if you have questions about your downloads.

If you have a limited number of downloads I would encourage you to go through and ‘favorite’ your photos before downloading. This way you can ensure that you are getting the images you really want. If you reach your limit, don't worry, you can purchase additional image downloads if needed! Once you’ve decided, you can hit the “download” button at the bottom of the image.

If you are downloading the full gallery you can click the “download all” button and a zipped file will be delivered to your email. Please note that to see your “download all” option you must sign in with the email that was used for gallery delivery. If you sign in with a different email you will not have access to the “download all” button.

Sharing your photos

Sharing your photos on social media is always so much fun! Although it’s not a requirement it’s always welcomed and appreciated when tag me as your photographer. It is such a great and easy way to say thank you, show your appreciation, and spread the word about your experience working with me.

Physical prints

Getting these images off your computer and onto your walls is a goal of mine and I want to make it as easy as possible for you! There are several ways you can get physical prints into your homes. The first option is to use a local lab such as Costco or a corner drug store. These options are convenient, however don’t offer the heirloom quality that you might desire.

You can also look at some labs online that offer very beautiful prints. I’ve ordered some prints for my own home from Artifact Uprising (this link offers 15% off your first order!) or Paraboo Press. Both of these companies offer press-printed photos.

If you are looking for archival, heirloom prints you can order directly from the online gallery that I’ve sent you! These photo prints are rich and beautiful and will last a lifetime. If you need assistance in ordering prints I would love to help you with that, just reach out!

Canvas or larger prints

There are lots of resources for ordering these for your home. Costco is an inexpensive option for many people however I can also help you order a canvas print through my provider. Let’s work together to make sure you are ordering the appropriate size and quality for your home.

Photo books

Although it takes more work and planning to create a photo book, the payoff to have your images in a printed and bound form is absolutely worth it! It is a beautiful way to organize and showcase your adorable family. There are several companies who offer this however I have found that I love the care and quality that Artifact Uprising offers!

Gallery wall

This is how I showcase the family photos in our house. It is an easy and effective way to have photos on your wall without creating significant damage. You can build or purchase ledges at any length and swap out photos and artwork as your family grows. Mixing up sizes, textures, and colors lends well to making a dynamic and beautiful tribute to your family.

Printed cards

If you want to use your photos for printed cards here are a couple of things to consider before you begin this process. Printed cards are great for the holiday season, senior announcements, birth announcements, wedding save the dates, or thank you cards… the possibilities are endless!

Start the process early! My sessions get booked up for the holiday season months in advance. September through mid-November are often the best times to get photos done for timing, however, our Pacific Northwest weather can be unpredictable. You may have to reschedule due to the weather, so keep that variable in mind too!

Pick your card out before we meet to photograph your session. It might seem a little backward, but if you have a card picked out it can help me to photograph your family in the orientation you need for your cards. It will save you time cropping and you can often just drag and drop the images.

Once your images have been captured, make sure you leave a cushion of time for me to edit and deliver your photos. You also need to leave time to create your cards and have them printed and shipped back to you. Save time by having a database ready for addressing envelopes once they arrive!

If you need help or would like a custom card order done I can help you with creating and ordering cards to fit your needs!