Behind the Lens: How Photographers Plan Their Sessions

Behind the Lens: How Photographers Plan Their Sessions. At Kelly Tareski Photography, we know that successful photo sessions don’t just happen by chance. They require careful planning and preparation.

In this blog post, we’ll share our insights on how photographers plan their sessions, from pre-shoot preparations to on-location considerations and post-session workflows.

Whether you’re a budding photographer or looking to enhance your photography education, these tips will help you create memorable and stunning images for your clients.

How to Plan a Perfect Photo Session

Understanding Your Client’s Vision

The first step in planning a successful photo session involves a comprehensive client consultation. Photographers should take notes on commonly asked questions during consultations and incorporate them into their description of services. This approach helps preemptively answer client queries and ensures they feel heard and understood, which often leads to more relaxed and authentic images during the shoot.

Selecting the Ideal Location

The right location creates the desired atmosphere in photos. Photographers must consider factors such as lighting conditions, accessibility, and overall aesthetic that aligns with the client’s vision. For a rustic family portrait, a property with natural backdrops might work well. For a more urban feel, a trendy downtown location could be the perfect choice.

Crafting a Detailed Shot List

A well-thought-out shot list ensures the capture of all necessary images while making efficient use of time. Photographers should create a detailed shot list to take their project to the next level. This structured approach allows for systematic work while still leaving room for spontaneous, candid moments (which often become favorite shots).

Equipment Preparation and Backup Plans

Professional photographers know that equipment failure can derail even the best-planned session. Meticulous preparation and testing of all gear before each shoot is essential. This includes charging batteries, formatting memory cards, and cleaning lenses. Bringing backup equipment (including spare cameras and lenses) ensures preparedness for any technical issues that may arise.

Adapting to Changing Conditions

Flexibility is key in photography. Weather changes, unexpected challenges, or last-minute client requests can all impact a session. Photographers should develop strategies to adapt quickly, such as having indoor location backups for outdoor shoots or alternative poses for different group sizes. This adaptability often distinguishes experienced photographers from novices.

As we move into the next section, we’ll explore how these careful planning steps translate into action during the actual photo session. On-location considerations require a different set of skills and quick thinking to bring the planned vision to life.

Mastering On-Location Photography

Reading and Manipulating Light

Light shapes the essence of photography. We arrive early to assess lighting conditions and plan our shots. Outdoor shoots benefit from the soft, warm glow of golden hour (the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset). This natural light flatters subjects and adds depth to landscapes.

In challenging situations, creativity becomes our ally. We use reflectors to bounce light onto shadowed faces or employ diffusers to soften harsh midday sun. For indoor shoots with limited natural light, we position subjects near windows and blend ambient and artificial light for balanced exposure. Squinting your eyes slightly can help you better assess the contrast and overall light distribution in a scene.

The Art of Posing and Direction

Posing combines technical skill with interpersonal finesse. We start with basic poses and make subtle adjustments to flatter each individual. For example, we ask subjects to slightly angle their bodies and put weight on their back foot, creating a more dynamic and slimming effect.

Clear communication proves essential. We use simple, descriptive language and often demonstrate poses ourselves. This approach helps clients feel more comfortable in front of the camera. We’ve discovered that giving subjects an action (like walking, laughing, or interacting with props) results in more authentic-looking images.

For outdoor portraits, our go-to spot is a shaded or sheltered area. Ideally, we find a large enough shaded area so that the entire subject is covered in shade.

Managing Group Dynamics

Group shots present unique challenges, especially with families or teams. We arrange people based on height and relationships, ensuring visibility and balanced composition.

To capture genuine interactions, we might ask family members to share stories or jokes. This technique often leads to natural smiles and candid moments. For corporate team photos, we encourage a mix of formal and relaxed poses to showcase both professionalism and company culture.

Adapting to the Unexpected

Weather changes and unforeseen circumstances come with the territory. We always prepare a backup plan. If rain threatens an outdoor shoot, we might incorporate umbrellas as props or move to a covered location. We’ve even turned unexpected elements like wind into advantages, using it to create dramatic effects with flowing fabrics or hair.

Equipment malfunctions can occur, which is why we bring backup gear. (In one instance, when a primary camera failed, we switched to our backup without the client noticing.)

Flexibility remains paramount. We once had a client who wanted to include their dog in a family portrait, but the pet proved uncooperative. Instead of getting frustrated, we suggested capturing candid moments of the family playing with their dog. The resulting images brimmed with joy and authenticity – exactly what the client desired.

Our ability to adapt, problem-solve, and create regardless of circumstances sets us apart in the competitive world of professional photography. (This adaptability extends beyond just technical skills; it’s about creating a positive experience for our clients even when things don’t go as planned.)

As we move from on-location mastery to post-session workflow, the journey of creating stunning images continues. The next phase involves careful selection, editing, and delivery of the final products that will become cherished memories for our clients.

Here’s the modified chapter:

Perfecting Your Post-Session Workflow

Organize and Safeguard Your Work

Professional photographers transfer raw files to their main computer and two separate external hard drives immediately after a shoot. This 3-2-1 approach protects against data loss. Many use Adobe Bridge to organize files, creating folders for each client and subfolders for different parts of the session. This meticulous organization saves time and reduces stress later in the editing process.

Select the Cream of the Crop

Culling is a critical step in the workflow. Many photographers use Photo Mechanic for its speed in rendering RAW files, which allows for quick sorting through hundreds of images. The first pass eliminates technical failures like out-of-focus shots or closed eyes. The second pass selects the best images based on composition, emotion, and overall impact.

Photographers typically deliver 50-75 final images for a standard portrait session, culled from 300-500 shots. This careful selection process ensures every image presented to clients meets high standards.

Edit: Enhance Without Overdoing

The editing philosophy is simple: enhance, don’t alter. Adobe Lightroom is popular for most editing tasks, with custom presets applied as a starting point before fine-tuning each image individually. Photoshop comes into play for more complex retouching.

Key editing steps include:

1. Adjust exposure and white balance
2. Enhance colors and tones
3. Apply subtle skin smoothing (while maintaining texture)
4. Remove distracting elements

Heavy-handed editing that can make images look unnatural should be avoided. The goal is to create photos that will stand the test of time.

Deliver the Final Product

After editing, high-resolution JPEGs are exported and a private online gallery is created for clients. Pixieset is a popular choice for its user-friendly interface and professional look. Clients can easily view, download, and order prints directly from their gallery.

For print orders, partnering with a professional lab ensures color accuracy and longevity.

In-person reveal sessions offer a more personalized experience for clients who prefer it. These sessions often result in larger print sales and higher client satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Success in photography requires a balance of meticulous preparation and adaptability. Photographers must plan every detail, from client consultations to equipment checks, while remaining flexible to handle unexpected challenges. This combination of planning and quick thinking allows photographers to capture magical moments that become cherished memories.

Kelly Tareski Photography understands the importance of both planning and adaptability in delivering high-quality, personalized results. The world of photography constantly evolves, with new techniques, technologies, and trends emerging regularly. Continuous learning and improvement are essential for photographers at all levels to grow and succeed in this competitive field.

Photography education plays a vital role in staying current with industry advancements. Mastering new editing software, experimenting with innovative lighting techniques, and staying updated on the latest gear can help photographers consistently deliver stunning images. (These skills enable photographers to exceed client expectations and create timeless photographs that stand out in the market.) Behind the Lens: How Photographers Plan Their Sessions.