The Client Experience
before, during, and after your session
Welcome to Leigh Ann Pincus Photography
I am so pleased you have chosen Leigh Ann Pincus Photography to tell your story. I’m thrilled and honored to have you as a new client! I look forward to providing an amazing experience that produces custom images you’ll treasure for many years to come. Get ready to have the most fun you’ve ever had taking photos!
Below is everything you need to know in order to prepare for our session, including advice on how to be camera-ready so you’ll feel and look your best. I can’t wait to get to know you better!
Sincerely,
Leigh Ann
Bay Area Photographer
Serving Oakland and the surrounding areas.
First Things First!
There are a few things that we need to take care of before your session. Immediately after booking you received an email with instructions to set your client portal. You can find all of the details about your session, your session agreement, and the client questionnaire in your portal.
Your questionnaire is really important as it helps me get to know you and your family a little better. This allows me to customize your session and to document your family as authentically as possible.
The session agreement ensures that we are all on the same page about how the session works, timelines, copyright, rescheduling, and a model release so I have permission to share some of your images on my website and social media pages.
Have fun and make memories!
This isn’t going to be a boring, say cheese, kind of photography session. Your session is designed to capture a day in your life, in whatever phase of life you are in. Maybe you just added a new family member, or your kids are about to fly the coop. My goal is to capture the little moments that you don’t even realize you’re going to miss in a few years.
There won’t be fancy poses, and I won’t expect everyone to look at the camera and smile. Just do you, and I’ll do the rest. Just do what makes your family unique.
Location, location, location!
The first step in choosing a location is deciding whether you prefer an in-home or an outdoor session. Then, choose a location that speaks to you. You want your images to say, “This is my family’s story,” so think of the location that will say that the best. You want the location to be meaningful and to convey the essence of who you are and what you love. Choosing a spot that is memorable to you can create great emotion in your images.
In-Home Family Sessions
Your home is the place where you spend the most time, and home sessions can be very sentimental. After all, your home is such a big part of your story. You do not need a beautiful Instagrammable house by any means to have a shoot at home! Baking cookies, playing on the floor with the kids, and cuddling your newborn on the couch in your jammies are all great ideas for in-home sessions.
Newborn Sessions
All newborn sessions are done in your home. After all, you just had a baby. This is what it looks like trying to get out of the house with a newborn. Get everyone dressed and fed. Gather your purse and diaper bag. Make sure everything is in the diaper bag. Grab your coat and shoes…..only to notice that baby’s diaper needs changing. Put everything down to change the baby. Who needs all that? In-home newborn sessions mean you can just relax and enjoy your baby. You have everything you need, right at your fingertips.
Outdoor Family Sessions
If you prefer an outdoor session, we have so many great places to choose from in the Bay Area. Get your feet wet at the beach, show off your favorite hiking trails, walk through your favorite neighborhood, grab ice-cream at your favorite shop, or just play with the kiddos in the park.
Oh No! What am I Going to Wear?
Often, one of the most stressful parts of a session is deciding what to wear. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered!
I might not be like other photographers you’ve worked with, and I’ll let you in on a little secret. I don’t really have a style guide. That’s because my sessions are about capture you, the real you, and they aren’t about what you’re wearing. Maybe your style is what makes you unique.
So, the most important thing is to feel beautiful and relaxed in your images. Be yourself. If that means showing up in jeans, a t-shirt, and no shoes, let’s do it! If your little one won’t wear anything except a Frozen costume right now? Embrace it!
Why not let everyone choose their own outfit? What better way to showcase all the different personalities that make up your family?
But just in case you still need help, keep reading. 🙂
Things to Consider
• When choosing outfits, think coordinating, not matching. Unless you routinely dress in matching outfits, it’s best to avoid this look.
• Try to avoid fads, such as jeans and white shirts. You want your images to be timeless and represent your authentic self.
• If you can’t decide what color to wear, neutrals always look great and photograph well. Bright colors, like neon, can cause a tint on faces.
I’m also available to help by phone, email, or Facetime.
The Big Day is Finally Here!
First and foremost, take a deep breath and relax. We aren’t aiming for perfection; we are capturing your imperfectly, perfect family!
The kids aren’t going to cooperate every second. In fact, the husband might not either! That’s okay. Just let everyone be themselves. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed everyone else will be. I’m a mom and I know this from experience.
I do recommend making your session the highlight of your day. If you’ve already had a busy day before your session, everyone may be tired and have less fun with the session.
Plan an hour (1-2 for newborn sessions) for your session, though most typically take about 60-90 minutes (2 hours for newborn sessions)
In-Home Sessions
When I arrive, I’ll spend a few minutes getting acquainted with everyone, especially the little ones. I will ask that you show me around so that I can evaluate the light.
We will be utilizing the rooms with the most light. This may be the living room but is often the master bedroom. Turn all of the lights off in the home and open all blinds and shades.
Think of the activities that you would like to do during your session. This can be playing games, baking, reading, or playing an instrument. Choose activities that reflect your family’s story.
Don’t feel like you need to spend hours cleaning before your session. Your images reflect your story, and your story may include a cluttered house. Embrace it! If you want to tidy up, remove items from tables and surfaces. I won’t judge if you hide everything in the closet before I arrive!
Outdoor Sessions
We will meet at a predetermined location. If you are running late, please call or text me. I recommend planning to arrive 15 minutes early to find parking.
I always spend a few minutes just chatting to allow everyone to get comfortable. I’ll spend some time with the little ones showing my camera and ensuring them that we are going to have fun.
You can lock your purse, cell phone, and wallet in the trunk of your car. I can carry around small items for you, like car keys and lip gloss, in my bag. I want your hands to be free during the session.
Go to the restroom right before you leave. Many places that we will go to will not have restrooms nearby.
Have fun! I’ll realize most people are not used to being in front of a camera, but if you just focus on connecting with your family, you’ll forget I’m there! Outdoor sessions are great for playing in the park, tossing a football, hiking your favorite trail, walking through your favorite neighborhood, or dipping your toes in the water.
What’s Next?
After your session, I’m as eager to see your images as you are. Over the next 1-2 weeks, I will spend time choosing the very best (usually 50-75) images from your session that most represent your family and then editing those images in my signature editing style. When that’s done, it’s time to upload them to your private online gallery.
Once that’s done, I will send you a link to your slideshow gallery. Your link will be open for 48 hours to allow you to view your slideshow and images. I highly recommend hooking your laptop up to your TV or large computer monitor and gathering the whole family to view your images. The first time you see your images is always the best! During the time your slideshow gallery link is active, you will also choose your Collection.
Once you’ve chosen your Collection and completed your check-out, your full gallery will open. Your gallery will remain open for 30 days, during which time you can choose the downloads that come with your Collection and use your complimentary print credit on items in your store.
If you are a Legacy member, you will get a link to your gallery, which includes your slideshow. And as a member perk, your gallery never expires!
I’m just a phone call away if you need help. If you would like to see samples of products that are offered, I have samples, and I’m more than happy to meet and show you.
Downloading Your Images
Once you’ve decided which images you’d like the process is simple: select the images and click the download icon. The images will download directly to your computer. I don’t recommend downloading to your mobile device due to the size of the files.
I suggest you make a second copy of the expanded files, then save the two copies to two different locations – I generally recommend that one copy be saved to an easily accessible drive (either on your computer or on an external hard drive) and that the other get saved to the cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). I don’t recommend downloading to your phone due to the large file sizes.
Copyright (And Wrongs)!
Printing Your Images
Once you have your digital images in hand, you are free to print them when, where, and as often as you wish. You can share them on social media, make holiday cards, etc.
The only things you can’t do are re-edit them, or use them for commercial/business purposes. For instance, if you author a book, you would need permission to use an image on your book cover. You wouldn’t be able to enter an image in a contest without permission. Otherwise, you have free reign.
While everything that I offer in my store is printed in professional labs and guaranteed to be beautiful, I also recognize that you may want to print your images yourself, and thanks to those digital files, you absolutely can!
Be sure to de-select any color correction options, and be sure to upload the original files you downloaded, not copies.
I guarantee the quality of images printed through your gallery, however, I cannot guarantee the quality of images printed elsewhere.
Last But Not Least!
If you enjoy your session and love your images as much as I know you’re going to, consider referring me to your friends. For every booking that results in a referral, you’ll receive a $25 print credit to use in your online store.
FAQ’s
About your Bay Area Photography Session
What happens if it rains?
I always check the weather a few days ahead of sessions and will suggest alternatives if it looks like the weather is going to be bad. Alternatives include switching to an in-home session, switching to another location with a shelter, or rescheduling.
How do I ensure that my kids cooperate?
You can’t! But the good news is, I don’t expect them to. There are a couple of things that help. Make sure they aren’t “hangry.” They should be well-rested and well-fed. I suggest a meal or snack before leaving for your session and bringing small snacks to the session. Sessions times should also be scheduled so as not to interfere with naps.
Can I include my pets?
Absolutely! I have fur babies myself and love including them in sessions. Please have dogs on a leash and bring treats for them as well.
What if my toddler has a meltdown?
Have you heard the saying, “Keep calm and carry on”? That’s really all you can do. Kids pick up on parents’ stress, so if you get anxious, it’s likely the meltdown will only get worse.
How long do sessions last?
I always say, “They last as long as they last!” I purposely don’t put time limits on sessions. I recognize that some people are not as comfortable in front of the camera, especially the little ones. I don’t want your session to end right around when little Johnny finally warms up to me. That being said, most sessions take 1-1.5 hours.
Anything else we should know?
The secret to the success of your session is just to be yourself and have fun. I’m not looking for cheesy smiles or fancy poses. I’m looking to capture your perfectly imperfect family!
Wait, I still have questions……
That’s okay! I’ve got you covered. Check out my session guides for even more helpful tips.
You might also like
Documenting Baby’s First Year | Bay Area Photographer
Why It’s Important to Document the First Year of Your Baby's Life with Professional Photos The first year of your baby's life is filled with so many milestones: from their very first smile to their first steps, every day brings something new and exciting. They...
Why You Need Workflows and Systems | Leigh Ann Pincus Education
Why You Need Workflows and Systems in Your Business As a Family or Newborn Photographer, you know that running a successful business requires more than just taking great photos. Planning, organization, and systems are necessary to ensure your clients have the best...
What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Oakland Photographer
Lifestyle Newborn Photography - Is it right for you? Are you expecting a new baby? Are you looking for Bay Area newborn photography that captures the special moments of your little one’s first few days in this world? If so, then lifestyle newborn photography may be...
