Great Photo Sessions With Your Pet Begin With a Consultation
When having your photo session with Companion and Co, the consultation is step one that lays the foundation for a fantastic photo session with you and your pet. It happens after you’ve had your booking call, and we have decided to move forward together with a custom session (yay!). This post is going to go over everything you need to know about the consultation process, why they’re important, and how you can best prepare!
The goal of the consultation is to get to know you and your pet personally. I want to know everything about your fur baby. Personality, preferences, history, gotcha story, what they do that makes you laugh, all of it! This is the real meat and foundation of what makes a great shoot. I want to know what pictures you already have of them that make you smile. Are they crazy for treats? Do they like toys? Do they like to cuddle? The more I know about your pet, the better our session will be. Good, thorough consults mean that I can create a plan and structure tailored to you and your pet. It means I can bring the most optimal equipment and motivational tools to the shoot. It means you are getting the full, Companion and Co experience you and your pet deserve. And the images to show it.
Consultations typically take place in your home, so I can meet you and your pet in a familiar, comfortable environment. Because sessions typically take place in clients’ homes, it also gives me the opportunity to see your space and map out a setup plan. Most homes and apartments have plenty of space for me to work with. The only thing that may be necessary is moving a few pieces of furniture. I’ve had successful photoshoots in 900 sq ft apartments, so as long as you are comfortable with possibly shifting some furniture, your space should work fine!
When I first arrive, I give your pet the space to greet me on their own terms. Not all, but many dogs can often become over-stimulated or uncomfortable with new people entering their space who get in their face and enter their personal bubble of space. Cats especially do not like new people immediately paying attention to them and going straight toward them. My service is rooted in animal comfort, attunement to their communication, and knowledge of the differing needs of cats and dogs. Even for the friendliest of pets, I will still enter your home as a calm visitor, letting your pet warm up to me on their terms. This often doesn’t take long, but goes a long way for the more anxious and shy of our furry friends.
We then discuss all the meat and potato topics about your pet mentioned earlier. I’ll ask some basic questions like dietary restraints or health concerns, and also personality and behavior questions. I take notes all along the way so nothing gets lost in the mix.
We then discuss the creative part! This is where we talk about any of your color preferences, ideas, or themes. I show you mood boards, color palettes, and ideas that help get our creative juices flowing. I then create a custom plan for you, including a color palette for your photoshoot, and go over wardrobe guidance. I sometimes even go through client’s closets with them to help them pick out their outfits. This is your consultation, and I want you to get the most out of it! I am here to guide and support you, and make you as comfortable as can be.
As far as how to best prepare, I highly recommend scheduling these when you have approximately 1 hour to relax, chat, and envision your photo session with me. The more ease and depth we achieve at this point, the better our photo session will be! A rushed appointment will feel stressful for everyone, including your pup or kitty. So, it’s best to ensure you have a nice, quiet time carved out. Also, it’s important that any and all financial decision makers are present during this meeting. I go over my full pricing guide in depth at this point, so that you and all parties are aware of everything I offer and their cost. I highly value transparency in my business, and will never surprise clients with pricing.
This phase of the process is one that I’ve refined over time, and am proud to offer as part of my service. Each client and pet deserves individual attention, and a plan tailored to them. It enables the pictures to really reflect them, which makes it all so worth it! If you are ready to give you and your pet the full experience they deserve, fill out the inquiry on my contact page so we can get started on bringing your dream session to life.
