What should I expect during my photoshoot?

A photoshoot experience begins the moment you inquire with me. From then on, I’ll take extreme care to listen to your interest and desires so that I deliver the most incredible experience you’ve had during a photoshoot. Some women book a shoot to upgrade their headshot and enhance their branding - meaning they’re ready to step it up a notch in their own businesses. Others are going through a transformation or milestone in their life and this photo shoot will symbolize the growth that they’re ready to take on.

Each of my shoots is designed specifically for you, my client. That means I may do a conservative business headshot on a neutral background and then immediately follow that with a dramatic boudoir session or beauty images on a red backdrop. All of these details are decided during the consultation process.

A few weeks later, it will be photo shoot day! The day of your shoot begins with a makeup session that transforms you and gets you ready for the style of shoot I have created for you. We’ll finalize any wardrobe options you brought and I will plan the outfits for the various background options I will have in place. During the shoot, I will fully guide and direct you through (somewhat uncomfortable) poses that will look simply amazing in the camera. You don’t have to know how to pose or what expression to present, I’ll talk you through every step.

Once we wrap up the shoot, you’ll want to be sure to have plans for an afternoon or night out - or, possibly a soak in the tub with some Epsom Salt to relax after all the fun posing we have in the studio.

A couple of weeks after your shoot, you’ll have your ordering appointment to view, select, and purchase the printed images from your photo shoot. I typically show you my favorite 40-60 images to consider and select prints or to put in an album. As far as product options, I’ll show you everything I offer during your consultation, shoot, and during this appointment, but you can also get a sneak peek of the products I love in this blog post.

Following your ordering appointment, I will begin working to finalize the images you fell in love with - professionally editing and color-correcting anything that needs my attention. We will discuss to what level you would like your images retouched, with minimal editing or magazine-level touch-up. Then, about four weeks after your shoot, your final products will arrive and I will share the digital of everything you purchased. Last but not least, I’ll ask you to share your thoughts about how you enjoyed the photo shoot and if you have any feedback for future clients. Here, you can read what some of my other clients have shared!

How far in advance should I book my session?

I only shoot on Saturdays and take a minimum number of clients each month so that I can offer an exceptional experience. Because of this limited availability, most clients will book me more than a month in advance.

Depending on the time of year, it’s best to reach out no later than six weeks prior to when you would ideally like to have your photoshoot. If you have a date that you would like to have your images by, keep in mind that it takes an additional 4 weeks after your shoot to receive your printed images, albums, and artwork (after editing, selecting, and ordering).

When and how will I select my favorite images from my shoot?

This is another favorite part of the process for me - showing you the images I’ve taken and seeing if my favorites are also your favorites. Even though I’ve done this a hundred times, I still get nervous showing photos to my clients - I think that is the artist in me wanting to be sure that every woman in front of my camera adores her images - and it ALWAYS happens.

About two weeks after your shoot, you will come to me to review, select, and purchase your images. We’ll sit down to view the images as a whole and one by one until you decide to narrow them down to a package you select or take all of them home. Although I can usually tell when you love an image and when there are a couple you may decide to leave behind (for now!), I usually do my best to sit back and allow you to make these decisions - I’m only there for moral support and to share what options are best for the look and product result you are going for.

What do your packages include? How much should I expect to spend?

Since I have clients who come in for headshots who need a handful of images and others who go home with a full album of 40+ images, I have built my package options to meet most client needs.

My collections of images start at $750 which includes the full photo shoot experience and three printed images along with their high-resolution digital copies. For my full pricing list, view this page.

Regardless of image or collection choice, every photo shoot experience includes the planning consultation, full experience photo shoot, professional makeup application, the retouching of your images, and the in-person photo viewing where you will select and purchase any images you would like to.

What products do you offer?

My studio offers matted prints, folio boxes, and bedside albums to display your images, as well as wall art. At your photo ordering appointment, we will discuss what products are best for you, or you can check out a sneak peek of my products here in this blog post. Each image you purchase also comes with a digital copy of the photo, at no additional charge.

After all is said and done, my clients tend to spend about $2500 (on average) for their session and the photo products they desire. However, what you buy is entirely up to you - I simply strive to take the best photos you have ever seen of yourself so that you want to purchase them all.

I spent about five years ordering samples and trying out various good enough products until a few years ago when I tried out a lab located in Italy. Yes, ITALY! They are incredible and most of my current product options are hand-selected and created there. Just wait until you see and touch them!

What if I just want my digital images on a USB drive that I will put in a drawer and rarely look at?

There is nothing more valuable than the printed images I have of the people and moments of my life. Photographs decorate homes with memories, showcase the beauty, and tell a story of the one being photographed. Each client has a story that can be passed along to friends and family for years to come and a photoshoot with Brandi Angel Photography is a lovely way to tell your story.

I decided about a decade ago that my clients deserved better. I wanted to set myself apart from the digital image experience and provide a high-quality print to my clients. I am very grateful for the technology that allows me to have 30k photos in my pocket - believe me, it’s still astonishing to me! But, for the experience that I offer to my clients, only beautifully matted prints, albums, and wall art would suffice. Don’t worry, a digital copy of the images is included with any purchased print.

I see that you offer both beauty *and* boudoir photography. What is the difference?

For me, these two categories are closely aligned and I’ve gone back and forth between combining them and separating them numerous times. But, for clients, I feel it is easier when I can show examples of beautiful glamorous images that are Mom and social-media-friendly and other images that, while I consider both Mom and social-media-friendly, are more likely shared in a more intimate circle. Many clients will bring wardrobe from each of the categories, depending on the look they’re going for. During your consultation, I’ll ask what type of shoot you are looking for and questions that will help me determine whether we’ll spend most of our time in a ball gown, little black dress, flirty casual clothes, or more implied nude images.

Is your hair and makeup artist experienced with various skin tones and hairstyles? Can I choose to do my own hair and makeup?

We’ll discuss your hair and makeup needs in detail during the consultation call and I’ll assist you in deciding if you would like to come in with your hair already ready or if you would like to have my makeup artist of choice, Sonia style it for you. While about half of my clients come in with their hair already ready, most clients opt for her to provide a professional makeup application. She is experienced in matching makeup to every skin color and applying varying looks from natural to dramatic, and everything in between.

Sonia and I have worked together on almost every shoot I’ve done for the past 18 years, except for one shoot that she was unavailable for!

We met back in 2004 when we were both working at a photo studio in the mall and have enjoyed following our passion for women’s portraits and making them feel incredible ever since.

The images on your website are very tasteful and pretty, but what if I wanted to get a little more...um...risque?

Let’s do it! Maybe. On a scale from 1-10 on the "erotic" meter, my style is more of a 3-4.. What you see on my website and on my social media feeds is a very accurate representation of what I offer in the "saucy" department, but some clients will take it up a notch and I will allow them to keep those images to themselves.. I will shoot an array of clothed, partially clothed, tasteful nudes, exposed breasts and bums. While I can certainly appreciate more erotic art, it just isn't what I focus on. So if you love what you see on the website, I'm your girl.

What should I wear?

This is probably the most popular question I get….and the answer is simple…whatever you feel beautiful in! During your consultation, I will ask your purpose for doing a shoot, which usually gives me a great starting point for advising you on wardrobe selection. From there, I’ll make recommendations about leaving the busy prints behind, opting for form-fitting versus loose-fitting clothing, and what accessories to bring or leave behind.

Some of my favorite clothing choices are a bodysuit, an oversized sweater, a cropped sweatshirt and high waist undies, a robe, a sleepshirt...you get the drift.  Some clients opt for lingerie. And many clients choose to do a nude set during their session. 

During your 2-hour photo session, you will typically have time for up to 3 “looks” or outfits (yes, "nude" counts as an outfit)!

Once you've completed the booking process with me, you will also receive a detailed shoot guide that will help you with preparations and wardrobe considerations!

On which days of the week can I have my photo session? And where do we shoot?

So that I have time to treat each of my clients with the full attention they deserve, I only shoot on Saturdays. one morning and one afternoon appointment. The studio I shoot in is located conveniently in the Nocatee Town Center area at a location shared once the session is booked.

What should I do to prepare?

The beauty of being my client is, all of these questions are answered in detail for you in Prep Guide which is emailed to you shortly after booking your session. This will cover exactly how you should prepare your face, body, and mind for your photo shoot. I pride myself on offering a great photo shoot EXPERIENCE to my clients...so expect a very informed process that involves a lot more instruction than just showing up to shoot.

How much do you or can you “edit out”?

Great question! While I confidently joke that I could edit anything, I try first and foremost to get the image perfect in the camera so I can minimize the amount of editing desired.

I WILL do a basic edit of each image, taking out minor blemishes/skin flaws as well as simple things like under-eye circles and small scars (IF you request the scar removal). During your ordering appointment, we’ll discuss what level of editing you would prefer and I can always add more or less retouching.

If you have ANY other questions that I did not address here, please email brandiangelphotography@gmail.com