On average, I receive roughly 35 emails and 5-10 phone calls or texts weekly. Some are detail correspondence, some are in light of a recent session and some are informative requests for future sessions.
(Big, giant praise to the Big Man for pouring such blessings on NLP! I could have never imagined this and I still can’t quite believe it!)
In regards to a regular photo session, I correspond with clients via email, Facebook or phone; working out details; discussing clothing, locations, styles, the processes for editing and prints and answering any other questions. I drive to the chosen location(s) and we have our session. After a session, I will remove any closed eye/poor exposed shots in-camera, transfer the images to my computer, back them up, review each image on my computer screen and remove any other shots necessary. I then choose 8-12 images for client preview, edit/enhance them, re-edit them for web use, and post to the NLP Facebook Page. Then, I upload all of the images to an Online Album, forward the album to the client, explain the edit choice process and answer any further questions. Once the client has chosen their remaining images to be edited/enhanced, I place them on the “Need Edits” list. When I have completed the sessions prior to theirs, I edit/enhance their image choices in both color and black and white, transfer the images to a CD, create a CD cover and then head to the post office for mailing. This entire process averages 12-15 hours for each photo session. In regards to weddings, that average time, at least, triples.
Based on the amount of sessions and weddings I’ve had this year, I’m averaging about 45-50 interrupted hours a week behind my blackberry, camera and computer screen, as this entire process is done with my husband and four children in tow. Well, aside from the actual session.
Now, this is not an attempt to seek pity. This is my job! It is my choice to be set apart from Sears, Olan Mills and the like. My process is built on client satisfaction (and a little on my OCD/perfectionist tendencies…), and if my name is my art, there is just no other way! I realize, though, that most do not understand the effort involved in “taking pictures”, and each photographer or studio is different. It is important to me that you know my commitment to you and your family (sometimes, unfortunately, at the sake of my own), which is why I felt led to share NLP’s process. BUT- here is the kicker: I am one woman. It will take a couple days for me to respond to my 35 emails. I am a text-er (because my four children like to scream and fight when the blackberry shows its face). In the event that one of the four (or, in most cases, all of the four) children get sick or injured, or has 46 different school and church functions in one week, it will take a few days longer than I may have originally quoted for you to receive your preview or online album or cd. And now, more than ever, I am coming to terms with the summer that got away (the one that I spent ONE full and fun day with my four precious little ones away from my computer screen), and attempting to prevent that from happening again. Again, the pity thing- not what I am after, but as the majority of my clients (past, present and future!) are mothers, I am hoping for understanding (and any patience your children will allow you to have left). Mostly, I hope this serves as a “get it all out there”, and I apologize to any previous clients for not doing this sooner (out of fear and that whole superwoman complex).
NLP will produce images to back up your cutest kid in the entire world, perfect rockstar family, best.love.ever. engagement, most beautiful wedding ever planned, smartest and most successful high school senior to ever grace the planet, most adorable and precious newborn or baby bump. NLP will also require sufficient time for that to be done, while also being the best wife and momma to her cutest, rockstar’ish, perfect, smartest, best, beautiful, successful, adorable and precious family of her own. Deal?
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| 'cause these four are totally worth it. |
