A week before the date of your session I schedule a phone conversation (or in-person meeting) with you. The idea is to get to know as much about what YOU want from this session as possible. What’s your taste, your vision for your session, your expectations? If you have a creative vision I will work hard to achieve it for you. And I always love to collaborate on the creative process while being your guide. Take this time to really get to know yourself and what you’re looking for. No pressure, I am here to walk you through the process!
Raúl Durán Photography
After booking is completed
So you have booked your photoshoot with me, tha’s amazing! The post-booking process is very important for me, as I would like to make it as easy as possible for you.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
OUR CALL TOGETHER:
Our call together is crucial to getting to know you and your style before the day of the session. Don’t worry, I will ask all the questions and take notes to make sure we know what you’re looking for – in terms of colors, clothing, hair and makeup as well as the general mood you’re looking for in your photos. In the end this really does help me realize YOUR vision and create the best possible experience for you, and I have more information on all this below!
This is also where I fill you in on the logistics of the shoot – how to find the studio, what wardrobe items you’ll need to provide (it’s always best to bring as much as possible.)
After the consultation, I’ll need a few things from you to make sure we are fully prepared for the day of your shoot. I ask for at least 5 photos that you LOVE -I will use these as reference photos for posing and mood. I also ask for you to provide reference photos for two hair and makeup looks. This will help our team creatively plan and put together your mood board for the day of the shoot. Now let’s get into it!
ELEMENTS WE WILL DISCUSS:
LET’S GET PERSONAL
ABOUT YOU
I want to make sure we capture photos that you will love! Getting to know you and your specific tastes helps me make this happen! I will ask you a series of questions to help me understand your style both as a dancer and aesthetically – what are your preferences for clothing, hair and makeup. This helps me cater your creative session to YOU.
HELP US PREPARE
MOOD BOARD
At every session we have a mood board prepared with a large variety of poses that align with your strengths and interests as a dancer. Do you love jumps? I will make sure I know those strengths so I can be prepared to pose you showing off YOUR best form. Do you prefer a more modern geometric kind of style? Tell me! I will curate a mood board customized to your personal style as a dancer. These are where reference photos come in handy.
SET THE MOOD
COLOR PALETTE
Every background color dramatically shifts the mood of the shoot. What are you going for? Classic white with a neutral colored wardrobe? Bold and colorful? Dark and moody? A little bit of everything? This is so important to know before you talk with me so that I can start collecting ideas for wardrobe and lighting. If you need help choosing, let me know! I am happy to consult with you on this!
WHAT TO BRING
WARDROBE
Wardrobe is one of the most important elements of the shoot. It’s always important to have a nice selection of your own leotards, underwear, bras and socks. If you’re going for a modern look, your favorite dresses, sweaters, pants and jackets can really set the mood and personalize the shoot to you! Make sure to bring a selection of dance shoes and even pedestrian shoes (boots, sneakers, etc.) – any shoes you would like to be shot in. The more variety, the more creative combinations, the better!
INSPIRATION
HAIR AND MAKEUP
I want you to look and feel amazing! If you need it, professional hair and make-up artists are here for you! Every look is catered to your specific tastes, allowing you to look amazing while you do what makes you feel the most confident: dance. These are where reference photos come in handy.
DAY OF THE SESSION:
The day has arrived, it’s time for the session! We’ll meet in the studio.
Make sure you come well-rested! You can arrive warmed up, or you can do it there on the spot, but make sure to be ready to avoid injuries. If you have chosen to have hair and makeup, it generally takes 30-45 minutes based on the complexity of the look.
Designing sessions around what my clients love is key to creating portraits that will speak to their hearts. If we are working in the studio, I will build a crafted lighting setup based on your pose, clothing, and mood choices to get things started. If we are in location, I will find the best spots in the city for your session. Now it’s your turn! In some cases, a dance advisor will help guide you to achieve technical perfection! I provide a live view of every session (only in the studio), so you and your guest will have a chance to view your photos LIVE as they are taken. We don’t move on to the next pose until you are completely satisfied with a photo that captures it!
As the shoot progresses, we will continue through the process of choosing poses, lighting, colors, and wardrobe until we have reached the end of your session, and completed a stunning creative assortment of imagery that you will love!
AFTER THE SHOOT:
So when do you receive your photos? You will be sent a proofing gallery 2-3 business days after the session. Here, you have a chance to review the photographs from the shoot, select your favorite photographs and add any special notes or editing requests. Keep in mind, the images from the proofing gallery are not yet fully retouched. After you have made your final selection, I carefully edit your photographs and return the final files to you within 2-3 weeks of you having made your final selection.
I can deliver the pictures in any format with the appropriate release forms. In case anything happens to your photos, I keep an archive of them for 1 year. The pictures are high-quality and ready to print. I also offer custom printing services!
I am so happy to provide you with an unforgettable experience, and can’t wait to have you back in the studio again!