Not My First Rodeo - The APP Prep Guide
“Okay, what are you bringing this afternoon?” It was my first Last Day of School. The kids had just gotten onto the bus for the last time, and most of the other moms had older kids. This was not their first rodeo. I was caught a little off-guard though, it being my first time and all.
I had a mountain of things to do on Friday, and nowhere on that list was “find celebratory items for the bus stop.” Actually, “going to the bus stop” wasn’t even on my list, because afternoon bus stop duty was usually Dad’s job.
I had to pivot. I shifted my schedule to do daycare pick up early and get to the bus stop in time for the celebration. I grabbed a bell for noise and a bubble gun from the garage on my way out the door.
I hate going into situations blind. Not knowing what to expect, not being able to prep the kids ahead of time… I feel like most of Kindergarten was a trial by fire scenario, where most things were complete unknowns and we were just flying blind the whole year. (Is this what school is like every year?) I mean, I get it. It’s impossible for the elementary school to walk each new parent through every scenario of 9 months of school ahead of time.
But it IS possible for me, the person in charge of Allison Patel Photography, to walk new clients (and returning clients) through every part of working with me. Since this is not my first photography rodeo, I’m able to put the important things down in a checklist-type fashion, and also provide a prep guide that walks clients from pre-session details and outfit inspiration, to day-of things to remember, and even how to use your photos after we’re done.
I want you to feel prepared as we go through the process together, even if it’s your first time working with a professional photographer. The title Professional Photographer feels so scary, too, and conjures up images of stoic, stiff poses and bossy people with bright lights and cameras (ala school photos from middle school). This is not that process, and I am not that photographer. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood family documentarian, the person who wants to make sure you’re getting the photos * you * want. And the best way to do that is to prepare you ahead of time, and walk with you along the way.
Even if this isn’t your first photography rodeo, it might be your first time working with me, or it may have been a year since the last time we worked together. I don’t assume you know the process, so I send you a rundown of the process before you even sign a contract, and then send the prep guide in your confirmation email after you pay for the session. I send reminders as part of the lead-up to our session, and run through the after-photos process in an email after our session, to let you know how long you’ll have to wait for me to do the editing and get your gallery up.
Then I send an email with a rundown of the gallery before you get it, so you know what to expect. No flying blind. No crazy surprises.
If you like to be prepared and want to read through the process even before we talk, here’s a link to the family photo session prep guide. And if you’re expecting (congratulations) and looking for a newborn photographer, here’s the newborn photo session prep guide, too.