Session Information

I am so excited you have booked a session with me. Below you’ll find information about what the process is like getting your photos from Julie Campbell Photography. Please take the time to read it to ensure a successful photo session.

Step 1:

Fill out the PORTRAIT AGREEMENT and survey. Once this is done, and the session fee is paid your date is secure.

Step 2:

You will receive a postcard in the mail with our appointment day, time, and location as a reminder, and a little hello from me.

Step 3:

As you prepare for your session, you’ll want to think about what you will wear. Below you will see a What to Wear Guide. It should answer most of your questions. I also added some places to shop for clothes.

Another thing to consider while you’re planning for your photos is an activity that is important to your family. For example, bike riding, painting, cooking, etc. It would be so fun to get some photos of the family doing these things together. Let me know and we can plan this into your session.

Step 4:

We will meet on the day and time for our session. I will be the one with the big camera anxious to meet you and have fun taking photos. I only have one rule, and that is NO fake smiles. That means I will try to get you interacting together and having as much fun as possible.

CHILDREN: Please please don’t get upset with your children if they aren’t smiling. I will work with them until they are comfortable, and then the smiles come naturally. Sometimes I will have to take a child off to the side by myself so they don’t have the pressure of the whole group looking at them. I find that through play I get the best pictures with children. Don’t be alarmed if I ask them to do something unconventional (like jumping on the bed, or sitting on the table). Of course I will avoid anything that is dangerous, but great photos come from kids having lots of fun.

FAMILIES: I like to do the whole family together first. It allows everyone a chance to get to know me and get comfortable in front of the camera without all the focus on them. After that I branch out into small groups, and individuals. I will most likely say something like, “Talk to each other as if I’m not here.” This is your chance to tell your favorite family jokes that get everyone laughing. If you can’t think of something just laugh out loud at nothing. The point is getting photos of the family being together having fun. I promise you those will be the ones you will cherish the most the rest of your life.

NEWBORNS: Most likely you will be at home recovering with your sweet little one. I like to make the newborn sessions as pain free as possible. I will arrive with a beanbag chair, blankets, heating pad, and other supplies to help me with your photos. All you need to do is have your baby well fed. Please have out receiving blankets for swaddling and extra diapers and wipes. I like to get photos of the baby awake, and asleep. I also will do some with mom and dad. Please have on black or white, or neutral shirts on for these photos. I will attempt photos with siblings, but depending on their age I make no guarantees. Toddlers can be difficult to photograph with newborns.

SENIORS: High school seniors always look phenomenal. They make me jealous of their youth. These sessions are fun because we have so much flexibility. Bring lots of changes of clothing. Wear a tank top under your shirt, and shorts and then you can change into pants, skirts, and new shirts easily. Also please bring along anything that is important to you. If you are a skateboarder bring it for some actions shots. If you play the guitar bring it so we can get some rocking photos of you playing music. The key is to just be yourself and have fun with it.

Step 5:

Two to three weeks after your session I will contact you to let you know I have a slide show of the photos from your session. That means your photos are almost done, and in 1 or 2 days you can expect your gallery ready for you to order. Please remember that your gallery is only up for 1 week, so if it is not a good week for you to decide let me know, and I can postpone it until you have enough time to order.

Ordering happens online in a special private online shopping cart. The best thing about it is you can do it in your pjs at home. There’s no high pressure sales, or people waiting in line after you. I am available for questions you may have.

Step 7:

Once I receive your order and payment I will start getting everything together for you. I will keep you up to date on the progress of your order, and let you know when it should be ready. Albums and custom items take up to 5 weeks to arrive. Prints are much quicker.