1. Set Aside Some Time
2. We Take a Lot of Photos!
3. Not All Photos Are Posed
4. Travel & Physical Activity
5. Original Ideas & Suggestions
6. Expect 1-2 Weeks for Results
We don’t place a time limit on your photo shoot. On average most people get “bored” or “tired” after a couple of hours. However, depending on how many prop, wardrobe and location changes you have in mind, it may take as many as 6 to 8 hours to get the shots you want. We’re prepared to spend the time with you, so make sure you give yourself enough time in your schedule on the day of your shoot to have a fun, relaxing shoot.
Perhaps the best thing about digital photography is the fact that a photographer can take as many photos as they wish without the cost concerns and limitations of film, processing and printing. We like to take a LOT of photos. We keep things flexible and fun and let the shoot, and the subject, lead the way. We will experiment with various poses, props and styles to give you the widest selection of images to pick from after your shoot.
Although most photos are posed many are not, especially when shooting on location. During your shoot, keep an easy going frame of mind, and once things get rolling try to forget about the camera. Take breaks when you need to, and feel free to experiment with your wardrobe, prop and style options to create the look you are looking for. The camera will still be watching even when you are not being posed by the photographer, capturing the candid moments that only happen when a photographer is not posing the shot.
It is important to keep travel in mind if you intend to shoot on location, especially if you intend to shoot at multiple locations. When planning your shoot and schedule, include time for transportation to and from locations. Most props and wardrobe items can be transported in our vehicle(s) and in many cases we can transport individuals and small groups to and from shoot locations. You can always choose to travel in your own vehicle, in which case we will follow you to the location. If your location or locations include places like parks or historic site, plan for walking to and from different places within the location. Keep the weather and your fitness level in mind when choosing your date and locations. If it is an especially hot or cold day, dress and choose wardrobe accordingly and bring extra items to keep you fresh.
Stay flexible! To help keep your photos looking original and relaxed, without the rigid and posed look, we’re always looking for ways to keep your shoot creative. We don’t follow a rule book style process for our photo shoots. We start with the basics and let the personality of the subjects involved, and the ambient energy, determine the course of the shoot. We will often suggest props, wardrobe changes, poses and styles that you will not expect while we try to achieve the original look you are going for.
Although we like to keep retouching to a minimum, it does take some time to review the hundreds, sometimes thousands, of photos from your photo shoot to select only the best shots. Once we have your final selection of images we review each one to make sure exposure, color and sharpness are perfect for printing. Then, we’ll publish all of your photos to our Web site at www.JimSparks.com for your review. There you can see all of the images from your shoot and build your own custom packages of just the images you want in exactly the sizes you want. It can take anywhere from a few days to a week to publish the images from your shoot. Larger, high volume shoots can take as long as two weeks to become available.