The Portrait Process

The Pre-Session Consultation
First, let’s talk goals! What final result are we shooting for and how will we plan it? From what to wear, to how images will be displayed, color design, location planning and look and feel of the session, the pre-consultation answers ALL your questions and helps us get to know your family. We will coordinate how we shoot the session with what the final outcome will be. Your shoot is NOT happenstance. It is carefully planned and fully designed. Pre-consults can take place in-person, through email or on the phone. If you are doing a maternity session, we can talk about your sessions when you come in and try on gowns too! Great portraits begin with a great relationship. Tell us about your home and your vision and we’ll add in our creativity to make it happen.

Shoots at the Studio or On-location
Shoots can be somewhat stressful for families. From wondering if the kids will behave, to agonizing over what to wear and convincing dad that it won’t be “that bad,” it may have been challenging for you in the past. Sessions with Shelby are anything but stressful. Fun-filled, happy and relaxed, Shelby doesn’t care about crazy kids! As a matter a fact, the crazier, the better for their real personality (the one you love most) will come out. In Shelby’s 10 years of experience with kids, she’s seen it all and can handle anything kids throw at her.

Shoots take place in our home photo studio in Dubuque. We work with controlled studio lighting, controlled temps for newborn sessions and a plethora of props and set designs. The studio offers a relaxed environment where we create a look that is sophisticated no matter what the weather. When the weather is warmer, let’s take it outside! Sessions at one of the Tri-States scenic spots make for some amazing and unique images, especially if the location is special to you. So consider carefully where you’d like to have your session, or we can recommend a spot for you.

The Ordering Appointment
The Viewing & Ordering Appointment is the time when you get to see all your beautiful images from your session. Your images are projected onto our 65″ high definition screen and we take the time to design the right art piece for your home. We will also have 5x7 proofs available for you to get a closer look at all your images. This is the time when you will finalize your portrait order, so be sure to pick a time where both mom and dad and any one else who wants to order can be there. We’ll help you sort through the images and make final decisions on what will look best with your decor. We’ll show you actual size and pair images together for a stunning album or wall gallery. Specializing in wall decor and heirloom albums, some of the products we offer are one-of-a-kind. Plus, any digital negatives you purchase you get to take with you if your order is paid in full at the time of viewing! This is a fun time!

Delivery
About 2-3 weeks later, your art piece will be ready for pick up. We’ll call or email you to let you know it’s here and make arrangements to drop them off at home if you live in the Dubuque area. If you are out of the area, we will have your products drop shipped to your home at no cost. And once those portraits are hanging, you can sit back and enjoy them EVERY DAY. For these are your precious kids —the ones who are growing too fast and who you will cherish to the end of your days.

A Long Term Plan
And that’s not the end! Our families often come to us year after year. As your children grow and change, it will be time to update your portraits. So right from the start we plan, knowing that more may come. And we design around that! The next time you work with us, we’ll create art that coordinates with sessions past, so you can build on to what we’ve already created for you in a way that works and delights you year after year.