F.A.Q: Workflow for Portrait Sessions

When I first started thinking about becoming a photographer, I couldn’t believe what other photographers charged for portrait sessions. How could I charge someone $150 just to snap a few pictures of them and their family? What I didn’t realize, and what most people don’t know about photography, is that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes after we do a session together.

A lot of people have questions about the CD of Digital Negatives and I hope that after I walk you through my post processing workflow, you will have a better understanding of what you get when you purchase the CD.

Here is what a session looks like for me from start to finish.

1. Take pictures of my fabulous clients!!! (that’s you!) (1 - 2 hours)

2. Upload the pictures to my computer (20-30 minutes)

3. Back up the pictures (20-30 minutes)

4. Choose my favorites by starring them! *trash, **keep, ***favorites (30 min - 1 hour)

5. Open all the keepers in Lightroomand fix the exposure, temperature, etc. (1 hour)

6. Fully edit my favorites and blog a sneak peek (1 - 2 hours)

7. Resize proofs for the web and upload to your online photo gallery (30 minutes - 1 hour)

8. Edit the images my clients choose (varies depending on how many images are ordered (usually between 2 - 4 hours)

9. Burn disc of digital negatives for client (30 minutes)

So that’s typical for EVERY client’s session. The time varies, but I spend usually between 8 and 12 hours on one session from start to finish. We are talking about portrait sessions here, not weddings. You don’t even want to get me started on my workflow for a wedding;)

I do not fully edit every photo I take is because it would take entirely too long and NO ONE would be able to afford me if I charged you for all of that time.

When you purchase the CD you get the fully edited images (usually 15-20 pics) and all of the digital negatives. What is the difference you ask? Let me ‘splain.

There is a big difference between SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera), the digital negative, and a fully edited photo. SOOC - no corrections. Digital Negative - Improved exposure and temperature. Edited – retouched, cleaned up backgrounds (notice the street lights and cars are removed from the picture of the bride), cropped, sharpened, all around BETTER!





I hope that was helpful. Feel free to comment and ask me questions (be sure to leave your email address in the comment) You just might inspire me to blog about your question