Welcome to the world, sweet baby Clara! 💛 I by no means claim to be a newborn photographer, but of course will (more than) happily step into the role when it comes to my niece and nephew! Congratulations, Shannon & Kyle! Love you guys!
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Families
There is a lot going on in the world, to say the least. Today, I'm thankful for a small sense of normalcy with this sweet family's mini session this past weekend, celebrating this little lady's first birthday! 🎉
We refrained from hugs and kept some distance with longer lenses, but still had a wonderful time in the beautiful light at the Historic Harmony Barn in Harmony, PA!
So you’re interested in a photo session, but unsure of what the process will look like. If you’ve never had your photo professionally taken before, the process can seem a bit elusive and daunting!
Today, I’m excited to make things a little less mysterious by sharing a timeline of what to expect when you book a portrait (senior, family, maternity, or engagement) session with JHP from beginning to end!
I’ve broken the process down in two different ways: first, a short “at a glance” version, and after, a more detailed breakdown! Happy reading, and if you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com !
The Portrait Experience at a Glance
1. Book your session and sign your contract online via a private booking link.
2. Get access to your client portal and answer your online questionnaire.
3. I’ll reach out a week or two before your session to confirm your location and our meeting spot for the day of your session!
4. We’ll meet 15 minutes before your schedule session time to chat and check out any props/outfits you might’ve brought with you.
5. I’ll collect payment via check or cash at the time of the session (before we begin, or after we finish). If you would rather pay via bank transfer, just let me know in advance!
6. We’ll have a relaxed, low-stress session. No need to come prepared with any poses, I’ll direct and guide you! J
7. You’ll get a few sneak peeks about a week after your session.
8. You’ll receive your full gallery and featured blog post about six weeks after your session.
A Detailed Breakdown of the Portrait Experience
1. First, you’ll reach out about your interest in a particular type of session (yay!), and I’ll respond with some information about whichever type of session you’re interested in, along with a booking link, where you can view my schedule, choose your session date, and virtually sign your contract!
2. Now that you’re officially booked, you’ll receive an email that will grant you access to your personal client portal, housing everything relating to your session – the time of your session, your invoice, your contract, and your questionnaire! You’ll also receive a Senior/Family/Couple experience and styling guide via email, which will walk you through everything pertaining to your session – including how to prepare, what to expect at the session itself, a timeframe of what to expect after your session, and what to (and not to!) wear!
3. You’ll fill out your questionnaire (also sent in a link via email), which will give me information about the style of your session, locations you might be interested in, and a little more information about who I’ll be photographing and what is important to you when it comes to your photos!
4. I’ll reach out a week or two before your session to finalize the time, location, and where we’ll be meeting to begin.
5. The week of your session, I’ll be watching the weather to make sure it won’t interfere with your chosen timeslot! If it does look like there could be any inclement weather, I’ll reach out to discuss a game plan. I typically try to not reschedule until the day of the session, if at all possible, just to see if the weather changes (if you live in Pittsburgh, you know how fast it can change!). However, if you have hair or makeup appointments that would need to be rescheduled sooner than the day of, we can make the call the day before (or earlier in the week!).
6. The day of your session, we’ll plan to meet 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. This will give us a few minutes to chat, check out any props or outfits you might’ve brought, and walk to our first spot! Because my sessions are scheduled so close to sunset, it’s important for us to begin right on time, so we don’t lose any precious daylight!
7. I love taking a relaxed approach to sessions. I love for sessions to be low-key and fun! Whoever is having their photo taken can come without having any idea of how to pose. I’ll guide you through every pose and movement with direction – and don’t worry, we’ll keep it fun!!
8. Payment is due by cash or check at the time of your session (either before we begin or after we are finished!). You are also welcome to pay via bank transfer (just let me know if this is something you would prefer!)
9. Within a week after your session, you’ll receive a few “sneak peeks” from our time together via email!
10. About six weeks after your session, you’ll receive your full, online gallery (and featured blog post) via email! You’ll be able to download your photos straight to your computer, and print them wherever you’d like. Or, you’ll be able to order print products straight from your gallery!
Now that you’re a JHP experience pro, if you’re interested in booking a senior, family, maternity, or engagement session, click here! I hope to hear from you soon!
Featured
I met with this sweet family on a semi-warm January day during the first week of 2020! Hartwood Acres is always one of my top picks for winter photos because it looks good all year ‘round, so I was so excited when they chose this location for their family photos. And check out that adorable red hair on the two youngest!!
Families are SO MUCH FUN to photograph! In the images below, you’ll see families of all shapes and sizes, as well as many who were just beginning to grow families at the time of their sessions! This year, I had the privilege of photographing more expecting couples than ever before, and I have to say… every year I’m loving maternity sessions more and more!
Thank you to each and every family who trusted me with photographing the people they love most this year! 💓
If you’re looking for more information about family or maternity portraits, or would like to schedule a session, visit my pricing page here, and my contact page here!
I feel a little guilty that I’m just getting around to posting some photos from this year’s Christmas Mini Session event - but I am too excited about them to not share, even if it is a little late!
This year, for the first time ever, I hosted a Christmas Tree Farm mini session event at Lake Forest Gardens in Fombell, PA at the beginning of November - and I was completely overwhelmed by the turnout! NINE beautiful families came out to start the Christmas season off with some photos - and we had the absolute BEST time! A HUGE thank you goes out to all of the families who came and made this possible: thank you for trusting me with your precious memories! 💛 I couldn’t be more thankful for you!!!
And another huge shout out goes to my husband and my mom, who both spent the day with me - holding reflectors (and babies!) and helping check families in. I couldn’t have done it without you two!
If you are interested in being “in the know” for any future mini session events, feel free to leave your email in the box below!
How lucky am I to have not one, but TWO maternity photo sessions less than a week and a half apart - both in one of my favorite locations, Historic Harmony! Amy and Nathan were the second of the two maternity sessions, and I had so much fun walking around town with them and hearing all about their excitement and joy for their long awaited little one to join them and make their family of two, three!
Amy and Nathan, I pray blessings and wisdom over the start of this next season for you two as you become a family of three! Congratulations on your sweet little blessing of joy!
Olivia and Spencer are the sweetest pair! I had the honor of photographing this season of their lives (heading into a new adventure as a family of 3!) in a place that is oh-so special to them.
If you’ve been following along on the blog, you might know that Historic Harmony is one of my favorite locations for photos! The bright colored walls, quaint buildings, and variety of backdrops make for the perfect photo spot. I was SO excited when Olivia and Spencer wanted some photos around town - and their session here was extra special considering they live IN town! (I have to admit, I’m slightly jealous!!!) So not only was this location absolutely beautiful, but so incredibly meaningful to them!
And, if you’re reading this blog post - they’ve already had their sweet baby boy!!! 💛Olivia and Spencer, thank you SO much for giving me the honor of capturing the end of this beautiful season of your lives! Here’s to a new season full of joy and love!
Early November in Pittsburgh is always a toss up. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will it be 20 degrees, or 85 degrees?! No one quite knows! 😉 This incredible family pictured in this blog post decided to embrace the early snow and went with their planned session time in the snow and cold! We worked fast, took a mid-way break, and were able to get some beautiful, snow-filled images.
To this sweet family: thank you all for being such incredible troopers, and for braving the unexpected weather! 💛
Check out some of my favorites from their session below!
Oh, fall - the best season of the year, but also the most unpredictable! You never know when the leaves are going to change and hit their “peak” color, and you never know when the weather might take a turn for the worst. Lucky for this sweet family, the location they had chosen for their family photos “peaked” with fall color the same week of their session (yay!). But, not so luckily, we had to deal with an unexpected rain shower that lasted for the entirety of their session!
But let me tell you - that didn’t stop them from stepping out into a damp field, rain sprinkling all over their fresh outfits and broad smiles, to get some photos with the epic fall colors! I am so, SO thankful for the perseverance of this incredible family, and their willingness to roll with the rain. I definitely think it was worth it for these gorgeous fall colors!
