Ordering Sessions, Volume 2: In-Studio Ordering

by Jessica Christian / www.jessicaphoto.com

In this post I will describe an in-studio ordering session. In-studio ordering sessions are a one time only ordering session, meaning this will be the first time you see your images and the only chance you will have to make decisions on which images you are going to buy. The photographer may suggest that anyone that wants to order should attend (meaning grandparents and the like).

Approaching the ordering session in this manner is beneficial because this time is set aside in your life to put your head to this process and you will leave knowing it’s done. You can see examples of different sized portraits at the photographer’s studio and get the photographer’s input and her sizing recommendations.

How you view your proofs during the session can happen through different media. Commonly, your images are set to music in a slideshow and projected largely on a screen. This gives the images maximum impact and really lets you experience the images.

Since I am a photographer who does online ordering sessions, I will stop while I’m ahead, but this gives you a good, but short, view of what to expect from an in-studio ordering session.

 

The Ordering Session, Volume 1: Online Proofing & Ordering

by Jessica Christian / www.jessicaphoto.com

Photographer’s generally approach the ordering session in one of two ways: either via online proofing & ordering or at an in-studio, one time only ordering session. I will take you through some of my methods for the ordering process of online proofing & ordering. In-studio ordering sessions will be covered in the next article.

Online proofing & ordering is a common method for the photographer who doesn’t have a studio or store front. Your online proofing gallery is posted for a limited time, usually a few weeks. However, some photographers might leave the images online indefinitely, although that is not usual.

Hosting your portraits for a limited time is very important for both you and the photographer. If your images are only available for a limited time you are more likely to order images promptly. This isn’t a slimy sales technique but a way to make sure you are best serviced. Generally, if there isn’t a deadline, ordering your portraits gets pushed aside for a “better time” to sit down with the images and really figure out which ones you want. But life generally gets in the way and that time somehow never presents itself. Your photographer might also set up a phone appointment to ensure your order is completed within the allotted time frame.

The other reason it is important to order your images promptly is that your photographer needs to archive your images. This is because digital files take up a lot of space on your photographer’s computer. Your images will remain on your photographer’s main hard drive because you are an active client. Once your time frame passes other client’s images need to take up the all important disk space on the hard drive. Your images then become “past client” images and make their way onto a separate hard drive. The images are accessible once they are archived but it is a process to access the images that takes your photographer’s time.

How you actually order your images is dependent upon your photographer’s method of working. You can either place your order by phone (recommended) or via an online ordering system set up through your photographer’s website. Ordering by phone opens up many more possibilities to you as your photographer can make suggestions for the image you may not have considered. For instance, perhaps the image you love would look great in a non-standard size. If you order online you will only get what the system has in place and you won’t receive any custom possibilities. These custom possibilities are some of the best decisions you will make from the entire experience. This is your chance to create something unique. The image below could certainly be printed in a standard size, but it would also look great as a 10X20, something you may not have considered. Using that horizontal space on the left side of the image unlocks its visual impact.

Another element to your ordering session is the proof magazine. I send this to my client’s a few days after their session. It is a handy tool in figuring out which images you will order. You can circle your favorites & write sizing preferences next to the images. If you are creating an album from your session it is also very useful for the same reasons. Not all photographers offer a proof magazine. Some photographers offer proof prints, which are usually 4×6 bordered prints with their logo on them. Ask your photographer how they approach this proofing process.

Pros: Convenience of ordering from home, extended time frame to make decisions on your image selections, ability to share your gallery with friends & family.

Cons: Usually don’t have the opportunity to see examples of different products, lack of in-person meeting could be a disadvantage for ease of ordering.

Online Proofing Gallery: The top selections from your photo session are posted in a password protected gallery. It is usually viewed as a slideshow. You can generally order images directly from the gallery, although clients should usually order directly from the photographer and family and friends order online.

Proof Magazine: A proof magazine is usually 8.5×11 and spiral bound. Each page of the booklet contains thumbnail images with their corresponding image number. Proof magazines aid you in your ordering process.

Understanding Your Photographer’s Style

Understanding the style of your photographer is a good way to determine if your photographer is a good match for your style. Four main styles of photography will be used: Lifestyle, Traditional, Commercial and Artistic. As photographers start to join the community these terms might change or the list of styles might grow. You can always check back into this tab for any definition and explanation of style.

I think you’ll find that a lot of the types of images you’ll see from one photographer overlap these style categories. The gist of defining style is a guideline, a place to begin. A lifestyle photographer who shoots mostly in natural light might also have a studio lighting set up. Or, the look of a lifestyle photographer might closely mirror that of a commercial photographer – and vise versa. But offering some guideline is a good start and the definition does give you a basic sense of what general world the photographer is coming from.

Lifestyle: Lifestyle photographers generally come to your home or meet you at an outdoor location that you frequent and work to capture your natural self in your natural environment. Although the technical skill of your photographer is spot on strong, the aim of the lifestyle photographer is to give a sense of your personality, be in the moment and let go of preconceived notions. The work of a lifestyle photographer looks great hung in collages of images in a group to tell a story.

Traditional: Traditional photographers usually work in a studio but also work at picturesque outdoor locations that the photographer has predeterminded. Images generally reflect subjects looking directly into the camera. The photographer is concerned with her technical skill and precision of focus. Traditional photographers also sometimes offer artistic enhancements to their photographs, the main one being painting on the photograph.

Commercial: The look of a commercial photographer is marked by a crisp, well-lit, magazine style quality image. Some of the same elements of the lifestyle photographer come into play with the main difference being the actual look of the photo. While a lifestyle photographer’s images might sometimes be moody, a commercial photographer’s images will have that well-lit, magazine slick advertising quality. Commercial photographers frequently do work in the realm of the commercial world, but also work with private clients.

Artistic: The artistic category is marked by the photographer applying enhanced visual effects to the images in post production. Additionally, an artistic photographer will work with her subjects in pre-production to establish the theme and look of the shoot. An artistic photographer is a like an art director and will give her input with creative suggestions to enhance your session. You might have a session in the woods with furniture the photographer brings, a tea party theme, the children with capes on pretending to be pirates on a canoe… The possibilities are only limited by your imaginations.

Photographer Spotlight: Jessica Christian

Jessica Christian is better known in the greater Washington, D.C. area as “Jessica Photo.” No, Photo is not my last name! Sometimes people ask! I have been in the area a short 1.5 years but I have seen my photography business soar in the time I have been here. I’ve definitely received a warm welcome! I started Jessica Photo at the same time as the birth of my daughter. I had been a graduate student studying photojournalism before that at UT/Austin. In my first life I worked in the entertainment business in Los Angeles doing various things.

I think my clients choose me because they are looking for an appealing, candid style. I impress on my clients to act as they normally would on any other day and I only photograph my subjects in their homes and surrounding outdoor locations. I feel like I can reflect my subjects at their best when they are most comfortable in their normal environment. I can turn a corner or a hidden cubby you would have never imaginged into a set that’s perfect for pictures. When I arrive I take a quick tour of your home and figure out what our session will entail. I’m with you for two hours.

I think it’s important to understand what is unique about your photographer when you are considering which one to work with. Things to consider are her photographic style, your budget and your goals for your working relationship. In my business I offer a Display Consultation service. I want my clients to receive the exact right product for their needs and homes. Instead of approaching this from a completely emotional standpoint, my Display Consultant (a working Interior Decorator) will visit your home and do a room by room work up and present the plan to both you and me. When it comes time to place your order this plan really helps narrow down exactly what we’re doing. Everyone I work with needs this!

Sometimes I hear back from my clients that they feel intimidated by having an interior decorator over. But, instead, the Design Consultant should be viewed as someone who will help you organize your thoughts, and then write the plan up for you. Further, I work with an interior decorator because she, unlike me and most of my clients, don’t have a good sense of spatial relationships. Getting the right sized image in the right spot can be challenging. She’s there to guide us to the right conclusion.

I am also an award winning wedding photographer. To view work and rates, go to: www.jessicaphoto.com / 202-657-2899. Definitely visit my blog – I think it might be even more exciting than my website because I post all my most recent work there: http://jessicaphoto.wordpress.com/

Get Dressed

Wondering what to wear for your photo session? You can check out articles from different photographers on their theroies on the subject, and look at images from real photo sessions of examples of some choices you might be considering. You can also link to directly to online retailers who offer some unique items you might have never even considered that can turn your session from everyday to something special.

Displaying Your Portraits

The most important issue that will be tackled in this section is how to display your portraits in way that will compliment your home and unlock the power of your images. Once you’ve hired a photographer, what do you do with your portraits? It’s something that is an often overwhelming task. You have to decide not only how much money you are going to spend, but also how to spend that money most wisely. Leave your 5×7′s behind and get ready to explore the possibilities!

Welcome To Portrait Spot!

Portrait Spot will eventually develop into a rich and complex web community to serve the needs of those who have hired a children’s portrait photographer. For now, Portrait Spot is launching as a blog to spread the word, develop the community and most importantly to get started sharing information right away!