AFTER THE SESSION
I upload the images to my computer and back them up on an external hard drive. Then get to work culling and editing.
Once completed your images will be uploaded into an online gallery where you can download the full resolution digital files.
We will set up a time to chat and go over your online gallery. You can ask questions and we can help you decide on what to order and get the best choice for your budget. We are fully educated in the printing process and can help you decide what to print at what size. 
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WEATHER
Ahh, weather. The only job where you can be wrong 80% of the time.  In a traditional Florida summer it is raining somewhere, it could be a mile down the street and sunny where you are! I have five weather apps that I refer to constantly, I go with three out of five similar forecasts. The short version is we try to wait until the session day and just before everyone begins the process of getting ready to decide. You can read more about the weather policy HERE. For more information on what to expect during windy conditions, you can read HERE.  
TIMING
Timing is especially important in a mini session. Our beach sessions are held just before sunset so we do not have the option of starting and ending late. When the sun is down we are out of time. If you are not sure if you may need longer time let us know. We can begin earlier and if we have everything after 20 minutes great, if not we can go for a Classic session. We have an article you may want to check out titled 'Is a Mini Session right for us?"
We do account for time walking to the location when setting the meeting time so we aim to meet at the agreed upon time. Traffic here is unreliable however so you may want to leave early. We have a lot of bikes and golf carts that like to ride on back beach roads and in most areas there is just 98 so if there is an accident there is no way around it. However arriving early does not necessarily mean we will begin early,  light is everything in portraits. 
We will typically meet in the parking lot and from there we will walk down to the beach while discussing final details. I will ask if there is anything you especially want to get or if there is something you are wanting printed large. We will prioritize getting those shots first to capture optimal lighting suitable for large prints. ​

Florida weather can be finicky, beautiful one minute, pouring the next. It can be tricky to anticipate, you can't always rely on the app because 100% may mean it will rain down the street but not where you are. 

Our best bet is always to schedule early in the vacation. If the weather does not cooperate we will try to reschedule. 

Our biggest weather concern actually isn't rain. Our biggest concerns are lightening and wind. There are not many lightening rods near an open beach and we do not want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt, nor do we want to end up on the front page of Yahoo as 'the photographer who let their clients get struck by lightening'. 
Wind is not just annoying to deal with (check out our blog about beach blown hair) . Once it gets around 15mph the wind will pick up the sand and sandblast you. And by sandblast I mean blast, in the movies you see the annoyance of sand storms with sand in their eyes and mouths but what they don't tell you is how much it hurts! Each piece feels like a little ant bites and yes, it does get in your eyes, your hair, your clothes, and our equipment. We will not shoot in wind above 12mph. Anything above 10mph will blow your hair and clothing, making editing extremely long and hard.
Other weather concern we look at are fog and high humidity. I have had to cancel shoots in the past after showing up and attempting to shoot but not be able to see the clients 3 feet away or my inner lens fog up and not work properly.

If your goal is not to have just a picture on the beach but to capture a special moment or finally have everyone in one place, we WILL find a way. I can come to your home, rent a conference room at a hotel, I have been known to wait inside my car next to my clients and rush out when there is a break in the rain to at least grab that one group shot. 

Weather apps are constantly updating. It can help give us an idea of what to expect on the day but we do not depend on them. We like to wait until the day of to make a decision. We will wait until just before the clients begins getting ready for the session. We don't want you to spend a long time getting all dressed up, bribing the kids and hubby, only to do it all over again the next day. We will get in touch a few hours before we are to meet and make a judgement call. We take in account the weather radar, the percentage at the time, the presence of thunder. While we do keep an eye on several weather apps the most reliable information can be found with the radar a few hours before the session. We may just need to move it up a few minutes to avoid early sunset or we may need to reschedule to a later mutual date.
We are not opposed to shooting in light rain, at the request of the client. Pouring rain will effect our equipment and hinder the shot.   

The retainer fee is non refundable however it is transferable. If we cannot find a mutual date to reschedule during the current vacation we can transfer it to a future date. 
If Amy or Caitie find the conditions not favorable and the client wants to try anyway we will drive out and wait for the rain recede up to 15 minutes. Any longer than that and we lose the light. In this instance the retainer fee is utilized that day and is no longer transferable. 

“A mini or a full session — which is best for us?”
This is one of the most frequently asked questions that Amy and I receive from those vacationing in the Destin and 30A areas. 
Let's quickly review the main differences that can help you decide. 

 What do you TRULY hope to receive from this session? 
Ask yourself: 

• Do I just need a few great photos? 
• Or do I want a full gallery with variety?

If your goal is one beautiful canvas for the wall, a quick update of the family, or a holiday card, then a mini session is perfect for that. 

If your goal is an album, a wall collage, capturing real moments, or finally getting the whole group together, you will be much happier with a classic or group session. 

We also take into consideration how many people are in your session.
As a general starting place

•   Ten or more people will need a full or group session, depending on the ages. 

Twenty minutes sounds like enough time, until you actually try to:

• Organize everyone
• Adjust poses while accounting for the current weather conditions.
• Make sure everyone is looking their best
• Capturing authentic smiles from children (and the men haha) 

All while racing the setting sun.

We don't want to rush through that. You have planned outfits, bribed the children and husbands; you are placing your investment and trust in this session. You deserve better than a stressful and rushed session. 

Now think about the kids (this part matters more than you think)
If you have children, especially little ones, their age and personality make a big difference. Here is an article I wrote on Helping Your Toddler Prepare for Your Session that delves deeper. 
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Children under the age of 3 often need more time - not less.  

Most parents assume a shorter session will be easier, but the reality is, it takes little ones time to warm up to the idea that they are in a new location with all new sights and sounds, and are asked to smile at the lady with the camera. It can take some time to warm up to the idea, then relax and have fun to give genuine smiles. 

Amy sums it up best:  “Children under the age of 3 usually require more time. You may feel they will not last long enough for a full session however it is the beginning of the session that is the issue. The majority of young children are beginning to notice their surroundings and will be nervous at a new location and a new strange lady coming into their little bubble only exacerbates their anxiety. You know your child best. Some come in all ready to go and are not shy at all.  Others, as I was when I was a child, need a little warming-up period.”​

With all of this in mind (GOAL, group SIZE, & children’s AGE), remember that: 

• mini session is 20 minutes and comes with 15 images of your choice and an opportunity to purchase the whole gallery.
• classic session is 45 minutes and includes all the edited images from the session.

Every session includes :

• A mix of posed and candid moments. We'll guide you through traditional poses first, then move into more relaxed, natural moments as time allows.
• An online gallery of carefully selected, fully edited images. (You can read about our editing process in THESE articles.)
• An opportunity to purchase high-quality prints, canvases, and albums from the online gallery.

A quick note about beach photography. All of our beach sessions in Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, and along 30A take place just before sunset.

That’s when the light is:

• soft
• flattering
• absolutely beautiful

​But it also means:
 Once the sun goes down, we’re out of time.
There’s no extending a mini session once that light is gone, which is why choosing the right session length is so important. 
​Communication makes everything run smoothly. Before your session, we’ll talk through:

• What matters most to you. I want to make sure you are getting just what you came for.
• What you’re hoping to print, so we're sure to get this one in the perfect conditions to print well.
• Any must-have shots, fun ideas, or special edits.
  
• We always prioritize your most important images first—especially if you’re planning to print something large.

What does a typical session look like?
We follow a natural flow to make sure you get variety:

• Full family (close-up and full body)
• Couples
• Individual children
• Siblings together
• Then back to the full group (by now the sun is lower and we can get different lighting for a variety of your most wanted poses)

This gives you a well-rounded gallery with plenty of options.

After your session
Once your session is complete:

• Images are backed up immediately. 
• Carefully culled and hand-edited
• Delivered in an online gallery

From there, you can:

• Download your images
• Order prints
• Get help deciding what works best for your space

We’re happy to walk you through all of it.

So… which session is right for you?

A mini session is great if:

• You want something quick
• You only need a few images
• Your group is small and flexible

A full session is better if:

• You want variety
• You have younger children
• You want a full storytelling gallery

Still not sure?
Tell us:

• How many people are in your group
• Ages of the kids
• What you’re hoping for

…and we’ll help you choose the option that will actually give you the results you want.

Choosing the best beach photographer for you is always important.  We serve clients in the Seaside, Seagrove Beach, Destin, 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and other surrounding areas. This means we mainly work with people who are not local.  Your vacation time is precious and you need an experienced beach photographer you can trust to make the most of your time here.  Contact us for more information so we can help you plan the perfect beach portrait session for your family. 

Do you think a mini session or full session is right for you?
Let us know what you’re considering and why!  We want to give you all the information you need to make the best choice for your wants and group’s needs.
Amy and I are are delighted to answer anything and everything! We want to help you you choose which session will achieve the best results for your unique group as a whole and each individual involved. Any other questions? Just reach out and ask!  
  Let's chat!
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