Lessons I learned in 2024

Each year I have been in business, I continue to learn more about photography as well as the business aspect of actually running a business. This year I had some really hard (but necessary truths). I cried a lot but I also grew a lot. Keep reading to find out some of the tough love lessons I have learned.

Model Release

When you book a session with me, part of your proposal is a model release. This is typically filled out by the adult that books a session. They list the names of all people being photographed and it allows for me to use the images on social media, my website, and any marketing material. This year the lesson I learned is that I need to ask during the session if the model release is still OK. This year I had instances when no, the high school senior did not want their images online, and I hadn't checked with them. The parent OK'd it, but their input is absolutely necessary. This is their face, their images, and their likeness. Of course they need to be steering the boat.

Extent to Editing Again, I learned in 2024 that I need to have a conversation with both parent and the high school senior about the degree to which they are OK with me editing images. I do a pretty standard edit on all images that includes removing pimples/scratches or anything that would be gone in a week, smoothing wrinkles in clothing, some basic dodging and burning, brightening eyes, and smoothing some fly away hairs. If someone wants more or less than that, we'll need to have a conversation about it, and I need to be the one to start that conversation and include both the senior and their parent. We can do a full glam edit or we could keep it very natural--both options are great depending on the look you want, but an open conversation about that is always the way to go.

Turn Around Time This has not happened to me, but rather other photographers in the industry. Setting clear expectations for turn around time and gallery delivery. I state in my contract how long my turn around time is and when and how people can except to receive their proofing galleries and final galleries. I send e-mails unless other communications is preferred. If you have your gallery link sitting in your e-mail inbox unread for two weeks, it's not the photographer's fault. They are not late in returning your images to you. This is the clear path we travel after the session and these are the timeframes I will deliver and the method in which you will receive that communication.

Weddings are going to take much longer to edit than corporate headshots. The galleries are much longer and it's important that the day flows and tells a story and choosing the best images out of the group to include, since there is no do-over. Again, setting the bar for when the client will receive their final gallery, and any sneak peeks is important. 2024 was a huge year of growth and learning and I am geared up for what 2025 has to provide. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that has given me the opportunity to be part of their storytelling.