Before Your Session
Consultation Call
The purpose of this call is to briefly tell me what you are looking for and for me to answer any questions you may have. This is required before getting on my calendar. I have designed a highly personal and caring business to serve YOU well. There is no commitment during this consultation. Sometimes we are able to make all of the arrangements for the session during this call, but sometimes we will need to schedule an additional planning appointment. If you are interested, please fill out my Quick Scheduling Form so we can discuss your needs and wants. You can also text, call, email, or grab me in person and let me know!
You never need to make a decision on your own!
I will also never recommend more than what you need
and will advise you based on my professional experience.
Planning Appointment
Instead of using an impersonal form, I prefer to "meet" with you and make a plan to get you what you are looking for. I am very intentional regarding your time and the results you want. It doesn't just happen. Besides, anyone who spends time with me can tell I genuinely care. We will take what we discussed during the consultation call and go into more depth. I usually do these calls separately so that we both have time to process and allow for inspiration. Some things we may discuss, depending on your session type, include:
➤ Session Type + Purpose. We will discuss the factors that help us choose the best session length for your goals. Do you have a budget in mind? How much of a priority is it for you? How many people are participating? How many groupings of people do you want to capture? Do you plan to have any guests? What are the ages, physical disabilities, personalities, and other special considerations that should be accounted for when planning the length of the session? Do you have a session length in mind? If this seems overwhelming, don't be! I am on your side and here to help. People are often surprised by how much I can achieve in a short amount of time. If I know what you are looking for, I can help you decide and feel confident in your choice!
➤ Interests + Personalities of Participants. This really matters! Knowing this will help get genuine expressions! I don't have the best memory, but I try to remember names, and it helps people warm up when I can talk about the things they like and are interested in. I love learning how people are different! It also helps me know how to interact when I know about special considerations. I have children with anxiety, autism, ADHD, and more. I get it, and it helps me to know these things ahead of time, along with any tips you may have on the best way to relate. Everyone is unique, and I want everyone to have a customized experience and to feel as comfortable as possible. Physical and cognitive differences, and any accommodations you may need.
➤ Session Options. There are free locations, and there are premium ones.
➤ Involvement. Is this a busy season for you, and you don't have time for one more thing on your plate? Are you creative and want to be involved? Or are you somewhere in between? All are fine! You just let me know, and I will take it from here.
➤ Intention + End Goals For Images. Do you know where you are planning to use your images? Canvas? Large prints? Cards? An album? Memory box with 5x7s? Digitals? Social media? The options are limitless! Knowing how you want to use your images will help with styling outfits, composition, and location choices so you can walk away with a beautifully thought-out project. Another thing to consider is the decor colors of where you will be displaying them. Do you have particular poses or groupings you want to make sure we capture during your session?
➤ Location + Themes. Is there a certain "feel" you are going for? Urban? Nature? Mountains or mountain view? Farm? Field? Orchard? Forest? Waterview? Indoors? Studio? Are there any interests in this season of life that we can represent with a location? Do you have a specific location in mind? Is there a place that is special to you or your family? If you don't have an idea, that is okay... I can suggest a great place for you!
➤ Image Style. Knowing your style will help me recommend an appropriate location, and it will inform me how I should pose you and how to use light. This is best to know at the beginning of the process. The main styles I use are "Light and Airy," which has a bright, almost pastel look. My "Bold and Beautiful" is rich in color. I also offer "Dark and Dramatic," which has rich colors and darker shadows. I cannot control outfit choices, weather, or the sun, which will impact the overall look, but knowing your preferences ahead of time can help me plan the best time of day for your session, the right equipment to use, and which locations would be the best bet to achieve your goals. What level of retouching do you like?
➤ Look Consultation. We can discuss this during the planning appointment or schedule a separate one. We will envision your wardrobe, hair, and makeup for your session and see if purchases need to be made or additional services need to be scheduled. This is not required! It is part of the above-and-beyond service I offer my clients. It is always about what look and results you want to achieve.
Do you have an idea of what you want to wear? We can talk about generalities, and I am happy to plan more with you by setting up a consultation up to a week before your session. We can talk about colors and outfit types. I am happy to come over or do a video chat to see your ideas for outfits and accessories and give you kind and honest feedback... just like a sincere and loving best friend. Just so you know, my opinion will be on the more modest, yet flattering side. Along with the experience of many sessions, I have a good idea of what works and when other options may be better. There is also the option to hire a stylist.
Outfit Consultation
As your photographer, I'm here to help you feel confident and prepared for your session, including what you and your family wear. Whether you’re shopping for something new or using pieces you already own, I’m always happy to offer advice. We can chat over video, and if you’d like, I can come to your home and you can even try on your outfits so I can offer personalized recommendations. You can also use this opportunity to show me where you want to display the beautiful memories we are about to capture. Planning together in advance gives us time to fine-tune everything, making sure you feel great and love the final results.
If you’re unsure where to start, I’d love to set up a consultation to discuss general outfit ideas, colors, and accessories. Think of it like chatting with a kind, honest best friend—I’ll give you thoughtful feedback that’s modest, flattering, and rooted in my experience from many past sessions. If you have any insecurities, please don’t hesitate to share them. Knowing these things helps me guide your outfit choices, and I will know how to pose you in a way that truly highlights your beauty. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, confident, and happy every step of the way!
Touching Base One Week Out
This will be a check-in to ensure we are ready and all arrangements are made. We will also review other factors that may impact our session, like weather. This is a great time to review any final ideas before we meet.
I hope and pray you are confident in who you are as a person created in the image of God, unique and special. We all have seasons in which we might not feel as confident or as comfortable as we perceive others to be. I get it! I am here to love and support you as you are now, not as the world standard or even how you may see yourself. At Remembering Stones Photography, we are remembering and embracing this moment in time as we are and remembering what God has done, is doing, and will do!
-Dianne
What You Can Do to Prepare For Your Session
There are several things you can do to make your session experience even better. Remember, it is always best to make all of your preparations ahead of time whenever possible. Feeling rushed or frantic the day of will not help you get the pictures you want!
➤ Prepare Outfits, Props, and Accessories. It is best not to wait until the day of your session to gather everything. Make sure outfits are clean, without stains, and wrinkle-free. This type of editing is possible, but it is an extra charge per image. It is better for all involved to have outfits and accessories prepared and props gathered and ready to go the day before your session.
➤ Snacks and Rewards. This will vary based on the age or development level of the participants as well as the conditions expected for the day of your session. Water is always a good idea! Some are encouraged to participate better during the session when there is a reward they can earn. I am happy to reward people by taking a special picture just for them. Please let me know what would be special and what I should avoid. It can be a favorite item like a hat, silly expression, action... anything! You can also bring something like fruit or a piece of candy. You don't have to tell them if you choose to provide a reward! However, if you can let me know before the session, I will use that information to YOUR advantage and encourage cooperation and better pictures.
➤ Attitudes. If there was one thing I could advise, it is to be early and unrushed. The best chance for success is when everyone is relaxed. I have learned over the years that when we try to control attitudes, bark directions, threaten, or become stressed when others are not meeting our expectations, it will greatly impact a session's results beyond our control. I will always do the best I can! If there is anything you can do to help foster a positive environment beforehand, it will greatly impact your images. Be assured that I have no problem correcting and directing kindly but firmly as needed during a session. I prefer you take this time to relax and be present. If you can follow my lead, and not worry about children, I will have a better chance of capturing you looking good in your images instead of looking down and speaking to the kids.
Enjoy Your Session
With patience and care, my heart is for you and your family to enjoy our time together. I want it to be as effortless as possible and for us all to have fun capturing beautiful memories to treasure for years.
After Your Session
Design Appointment
We can meet at your home or another location to discuss and plan how YOU want to cherish these new memories you have captured. It does help to meet at your home so that you can visualize what you want and where. A lot of the work has been done with the planning session before we even captured these memories. As with all experiences with me, we are focused on what you want without pressure from beginning to end. I am here to serve. I will always communicate clearly, and there won't be surprises.
Customized App
You are welcome to request an app to collect all the memories you purchased with me in one location. I will automatically add images each time we do a session together. This service is free, so if I didn't send you the link, please email me, and I will send it to you within 24 hours! It is similar to an old-fashioned brag book but with a modern twist.
Purchasing Additional Images Later
I have had clients request images long after their session ended and the final gallery was delivered. I always want you to be able to treasure these special memories! You can contact me to purchase additional images at any time. I am very protective of your pictures and do my best with a comprehensive backup system, but I cannot guarantee technology won't fail. Your images are backed up in three places once I am home from your session. After a year, your photos will be archived, and I will do what I can to retrieve your pictures if you want more later. Email me, and I will see what I can do!
Have a question? Send me a message!
Thank you for contacting me. I will be in touch shortly!