A photography session, whether it’s a wedding session, personal portrait, family portrait, or boudoir, is all about you- the client. As we touched on in the article “How to Find a Great Photographer: Ten Things To Ask”, it’s important to do your due diligence in choosing the right photographer for your needs. Likewise, it’s important for the photographer to know a few things about you, to make sure that the end product they deliver not only suits your needs, but is tailored to your personality.
Perhaps unlike department store photographers, independent photographers are- first and foremost- business people. They likely will have a series of go-to poses that they can fall back on, as department store photographers would, but as a good business owner, they recognise that the client really is their bottom line. As such, they will tailor the session to the wants, needs, and individual personalities of their clients, to produce a body of work that is unique and memorable.
This is where the initial meeting comes in handy. Having a chat with you allows the photographer to figure out what sort of things you like, what kind of poses would suit your personality, and what kind of poses you would like to see. It pays to come with a few suggestions of your own- these are, after all, your memories being captured. The photographer will work with you to make sure that you have a body of work that is uniquely suited to you, including poses and candid moments that reflect who you are as an individual.