The New Experience: Before Your Session | Huntington, WV Family Photographer

As promised, this is the first post in a small series designed to highlight some of the exciting things that are unfolding here at Heather Harris Photography. 

One of my top goals as a photographer and business owner, along with producing gorgeous imagery for my clients, is always to make sure that every client has a wonderful experience.  I want all of my clients to look forward to their portrait sessions with happiness and excitement, not dread them as another thing to cross off the to-do list.  Photography, visually capturing the story of your life, should be filled with many emotions.  Dread, boredom, or annoyance should never be one of them! 

With that - and my busy clients - in mind, I've redesigned my session experience into something so much more fabulous and exciting.  Here's how it all begins:

Pre-Session Consultation

Before you book your session, we'll have a great chat about your photography needs and expectations.  We'll powwow any way you feel comfortable - by phone, e-mail, or in person at your home or a local bakery/coffee shop.  I'll take some time to get to know you, we'll talk about the kind of portraits you envision, what your family likes, even your favorite colors!  The pre-session consultation is a joint effort to design the perfect portrait location, poses, even wardrobe!  And I will answer any and all questions you have, and even some you haven't thought of yet! 

Some things to think about before your consultation are:

- Your decorating style.  We definitely don't want your portraits to look out of place in your home.   

- Your family's style.  If you're a super casual family and everyone shows up dressed to the nines, it can be difficult to get comfortable! 

- Locations that mean something to you, or illustrate part of your family's story.

- Special props or mementos to include in your session.

The Welcome Packet

Once you've booked your session, I'm going to send a welcome packet off to you that includes everything you need to prepare for your upcoming session.  Portrait contract and model release, a style guide to help you choose your picture day wardrobe, a preview of the exciting keepsakes we'll create together using your images, and a few more fun surprises....it's all going to be in there!  The welcome packet is designed to make your preparation effortless, but if you still find yourself with unanswered questions, that's okay!  I'm always a Facebook message, phone call, or text away with a quick answer!

I really believe that the secret to a successful portrait session is all in the planning and preparation!  The few short hours in front of the camera lens turn into something absolutely magical when concrete plans come together seamlessly to tell your family story.  

Coming up next week: new and exciting changes to your portrait session, including the new Session Premiere!

Getting Ready for Something New

Am I crazy?

There are days, many days in fact, that I'm convinced I'm crazy for trying to do it all. 

I'm a pretty busy creature.  Three kids under six, a full time job, a happy and healthy marriage, homeschooling...all of these things are SO important and they take SO much work, but they are SO worth it!  I love being a mother, and I love my family more than anything. 

But I also love my craft.  I love that ethereal "between time" that happens when I'm behind the lens and I just "click" with a client.  I love getting lost in beautiful images as I post process a session.  The big reveal, when I can finally unveil a client's wonderful images, makes me absolutely giddy.  Photography makes me so happy.  It fulfills me in a way I've been trying to find, career-wise, since I was old enough to hold down a job. 

Like anyone, I struggle to find balance between all the aspects of my life.  More often than not, my passion for portraiture gets left in the dust.  As a mom of little bitties, this is pretty much okay with me.  But soon - and much sooner than I'd like! - my kids will be older, more independent, and less needy of Mom hovering over their tiny lives.  When that time comes, I plan to step away from my current career and rock my camera full time.    

Success is scary...

I'll admit it: I'm afraid.  I mask it well, but self-confidence has always been once of my weak spots.  As a creative person, this is often the kiss of death because I don't have that necessary touch of arrogance to keep me going when it seems the whole world is out to get down on my work. 

For a long time, I've been terrified to behave like a true business woman.  If I treat my business like an expensive hobby, well, then failure doesn't hurt as much, right?  WRONG.  Failure hurts no matter what.  And it's unavoidable!  If you're doing anything in life, and doing it without failure, you're never going to grow and improve.

Last month, I had an epiphany.  I realized three things.  One, I want to be a photographer for the rest of my life.  Two, I want as much time as possible (much more than I get now!) to spend with my family.  And three, I want to be able to give my photography clients the best portrait experience of their lives! 

Shaking things up...

 

To reach my goals of helping support my family with my photography, I realized I'd have to turn my business model on its head.  Talk about facing fears!  I recognized that I would have to charge more, work less, and make every client experience 1000% more fantastic. 

I am in the process of making SO MANY exciting changes, and I can't wait to scream them from the rooftops.  Every single change that I'm implementing to my business processes is designed to pamper, excite and wow every single client.  

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sharing all the exciting new developments with you all.  From exquisite new products, to the new welcome packet, to the amazing new Session Premiere with an absolutely delicious dessert...there are tons of great new things to talk about! 

I hope you're as excited as I am, and I hope you'll join me back on the blog later this week for the first "unveiling" of awesomeness!