Have you ever wondered, "How does it work?"
If so, this is for you. If you're considering a session with me, welcome and thank you for being here! Whether you're a new or returning client, I want you to feel at ease and catered to from the moment you book to the time you receive you final gallery. Below is a run down of how a session with me generally works. And I mean generally because some sessions do have their own unique twists, e.g. In-Home Newborn Sessions are my only packages that include a two-week flexible booking window to accommodate the unpredictability of delivery.
1. The First Conversation
We start with a quick consultation - via email, text, or DM - to pinpoint what you're looking for and what your time frame is. If our schedules align AND you're a new client, I'll recommend that we schedule a quick call to talk through the particulars of the package, my overall approach to sessions, and most importantly, take some time to get to know each other a bit. While this call is completely OPTIONAL, I find that it's incredibly helpful - for both the client and myself - to see if we would be a good match. We don't have to be best friends to work together, but it doesn't bode well if my general approach, style, or personality is off putting for you. If something doesn't align for you, I'm more than happy to recommend other local photographers that might work better.
Note: I recommend the optional call for all new clients interest in all packages, excluding my mini sessions. I also welcome calls with returning clients, if interested.
2. Booking Your Session
With your package and date/time finalized, I'll email you your booking link that includes:
- a questionnaire;
- a contract to review & sign; and
- a secure payment portal to pay the full cost of your package.
Once those are complete, your session is officially on my calendar! No session is officially booked until all three of those items in your personalized booking link are completed.
3. Planning Your Session
After booking, I go through your questionnaire to learn all about your preferences and goals. Based on what you’ve shared, I may send over:
- A Clothing Guide (if requested) to help coordinate your outfits. My clothing recommendations are always centered around on the selected location so that your clothing color scheme vibes with the existing colors; we don't want to clash or compete.
- Location Recommendations tailored to all preferences (if not shooting in your home). This can be tailored to aesthetic preferences and can be limited to a certain distance from your home, if that's important to you.
- A Shots List. Think mood board-style visual list outlining the types of shots we’ll aim for (while still leaving space to flex as needed). This allows us to get on the same page in terms of expectations so that you're not leaving the session thinking, 'why didn't we try to capture X.'
Note: Mini Sessions are the only sessions in which there is limited collaboration on your shots list and clients do not choose the location. Mini Sessions are set at specific locations with a limited number of booking slots starting at select times, all chosen by me.
4. Customizing Communication & Privacy
You get to choose how we stay in touch — whether that’s texts, emails, calls, voice notes, and/or FaceTime. Your comfort and schedule are key, and I’ll follow your preferred communication style.
The questionnaire also asks about your privacy preferences - whether or not you consent to my use of your photos for business purposes. If you're open to letting me use photos that identify you and/or others , I’ll follow up with model release forms to formalize consent. Photos identifying you and/or others will not be shared until I receive those model release forms. You are also welcome to change your mind about giving consent at any point in time. Your comfort is my ultimate priority.
5. Shoot Day Vibes
Come dressed in your best and ready to have fun! Let me be the one to worry about the little things - like your spouse and kids' attention span, lumpy pockets, the baby's drool, stray hairs, or a slipping hijab. I'll be keeping my eye on those things along with your body language. And if I fail to catch something, I'll do my best to fix it in Photoshop. But the one thing I can't fix in Photoshop is tension in the air due to adults worrying about the little things during our time together. That tension and frustration makes it extremely difficult for natural smiles to appear.
I'll also be referencing our shots list to maximize our time together while also keeping things flexible - especially with little ones involved. If breaks are needed, we'll take them. If a spontaneous moment or idea pops up, we'll embrace it. I'm not in the business of forcing anyone or anything; that would get us further away from the results you want.
Note: Given their limited time frame, Mini Sessions do not include much time (or any) for breaks.
6. Gallery Time!
Here’s what the delivery process looks like:
- You’ll first receive a Lightly Edited Gallery with all usable images — no duplicates or blurry shots — and even suggested head swaps (because I know how it goes with kids and spouses with short attention spans).
- Once you select your final images, I’ll go ham on the final edits which includes but is not limited to Photoshop editing and retouching (if desired) for a full, polished finish.
Turnaround time varies by session type and time of year — but this is always clearly outlined in your contract and booking email. If turnaround time is particularly important to you, please let me know right away; preferably before final booking. I can let you know right off the bat if I can meet your turnaround preference. If not - and if that's a requirement for you - I'd be more than happy to refer you to some other local photographers who might be able to help.
7. Your Final Gallery
Once your images are ready, you’ll receive:
- An Online Final Gallery (with cloud storage for up to 1 full year);
- High-resolution and web-sized downloads; and
- Access to a professional print shop if you’d like to turn your favorites into heirlooms.
Before we wrap, I always follow up to make sure you’re 100% happy — I welcome extra retouching requests if needed/desired.



