How to Choose a Photographer and a Photography Package
When you're comparing photographers, it's natural to look at the cost and the number of images. Photographers offer lots of different options and I understand how it can be difficult to choose whats right for you.
Here's a simple way to think about it, so you can choose the package that suits your family.
Different Photography approaches
Broadly, photographers deliver galleries in one of two ways.
A large, storytelling gallery. You receive every usable image from the session, often 60, 80 or more. These galleries tell the story of the day from start to finish, and they're lovely for families who want to see everything. With so many images, the editing is usually applied consistently across the whole set rather than worked on one image at a time.
A curated gallery. You receive a smaller set of the strongest images, chosen with care. Because there are fewer, each one can be given individual attention: the light, the skin tones, the small details that make a portrait one you'll want to print and keep.
Neither is right or wrong. They're simply different, and it helps to know which one you're looking for.
How I work
I curate every gallery. After your session, I go through every frame and choose the images that tell your story best.
Each image I deliver is edited individually. I take time over the colour, the light and the skin tones, and I make gentle retouches where they're needed, such as a newborn's milk spots or a stray scratch. It's the kind of finish that holds up when an image is printed large and hung on your wall.
You'll see your full proof gallery and choose your favourites from it. If you love more than your package includes, you can add extra images or move up to a collection, which includes your complete gallery of 40+ images.
Questions to ask yourself when booking
Most importantly, is the style right for you? Look through a photographer’s full galleries, not just their highlights, and notice how the images feel. Are they light and airy, or warm and moody? Posed or natural? Choose someone whose work already looks like the photos you’d love of your own family.
What will you do with the images? If you plan to print, frame or make an album, a smaller set of carefully edited images often serves you better
How many will you realistically use? Most families print or share a handful of favourites. Think about the walls, frames and gifts you have in mind.
What does "full gallery" mean? It can mean very different things from one photographer to the next, from 40 images to well over 100. Ask your photographer how many images to expect and how each one is edited. My full galleries run to 40+ images, each individually edited.
Would you like something to hold? Prints and albums are often what families treasure most years later. A package that includes them takes care of it for you.
What matters most to you: the whole story or the finished portraits? Both are lovely. Knowing which you value more makes the choice much easier.
Choosing your package from my options
The Session suits families who want a small set of favourites: 20 images of your choice, each individually edited, plus three 10x8" prints.
The Heirloom Collection gives you the complete gallery of 40+ images, plus a framed print or triplex and prints, so your favourites are on display from the start.
The Legacy Collection gives you the complete gallery of 40+ images, with an album or a folio box of matted prints to keep.
If you're not sure which is right for you, just ask. I'm always happy to talk it through and help you choose. You can see the full details on my packages page.
