What Happens During a Portrait Session?
One of the questions I get asked most often is, "What's the session actually like?"
It's a fair question.
Most people aren't getting professional portraits taken every year. For many of my clients, it's been years since their last headshot. Some have never had a professional portrait session at all.
And if I'm being honest, most people don't come to me because they love having their photo taken.
As I've started collecting testimonials from clients, I've noticed a pattern.
One person told me, "I have always hated having my picture taken."
Another said, "It always seemed like something I had to get through and I knew when it was over I wasn't going to be happy with the end results."
Another admitted they were worried they would look stiff or unnatural.
If any of those sound familiar, you're not alone.
In fact, those are exactly the kinds of people I work with best.
Before a session, we'll spend a little time talking about how you're going to use the images. Someone updating LinkedIn may need something different than a business owner refreshing their website. A pastor, attorney, speaker, nonprofit leader or executive all have different goals.
We'll also talk through clothing, location, and the overall look you're hoping to achieve. Several clients have mentioned the preparation guide I send before the session because it helps answer a lot of questions before we ever meet.
Once the camera comes out, my job is to help you to stop worrying about everything you think you're supposed to know.
You don't need to know how to pose.
You don't need to know what to do with your hands.
You don't need to know whether your shoulders should turn left or right.
You don't need to know what expression works best.
That's my job.
One client described it this way:
"Russ is into the details that others don't mention. Details like how you stand, where your feet should be, the angle, the background, the colors, taking into consideration your occupation, the smile, the clothing tricks, the hair out of place."
Most of what I do during a session is making small adjustments. A slight turn of the shoulders. A different angle of the chin. Fixing a collar. Moving a stray hair. The difference between a good portrait and a great portrait is often a collection of small details.
One thing that surprises people is how collaborative the process is.
I don't disappear after the session and leave you wondering whether we got something good.
As we photograph, I'll show you images. We'll talk about what you like and what you don't. If something feels off, we'll adjust it. If we find a look that works particularly well, we'll build on it.
One client called that process "a game changer."
"Giving input as the session was going on, rather than receiving a gallery later on with results that you may not even like was a game changer for me."
Another client shared:
"The way Russ allowed you to feel in control of the results, giving you agency over each step."
I loved reading that because it's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish.
I want you to feel like you're part of the process, not just standing in front of a camera hoping for the best.
And somewhere along the way, something interesting usually happens.
People relax.
The camera becomes less important.
The conversation becomes more important.
One client told me, "Russ created such a comfortable environment that I stopped thinking about the camera and just enjoyed the moment."
Another simply said, "It felt easy."
One of my favorite responses was from a client who looked back on the experience afterward and asked, "Why was I so nervous?"
By the end of the session, most people aren't worried about whether they'll like the photos anymore. They're deciding which ones they like best.
One client said the photos were "far better than I expected, and they felt very genuine and true to who I am."
Another told me the images looked "slimmer, more polished, and very professional."
Another summed it up in three words:
"We loved them."
That's really what I'm after.
I want you to walk away with images you're excited to use. Whether that's LinkedIn, your company website, a speaking engagement, a board position, a book launch or simply updating a profile photo that hasn't changed in ten years.
The best compliment I receive isn't that someone likes the photo.
It's when they tell me the experience was easier than they expected.
Because when that happens, I know they stopped worrying about the camera and started showing up as themselves.
And that's where the best portraits come from.
Send me a note and tell me a little about what you're looking for. We'll start there.