Luxury Portrait Photographers in Rochester Minnesota

Our portrait consultation starts with your first call to Scott and often proceeds to a 1-hour Zoom meeting with both Scott and Kelly. During the meeting, we ask questions about you and the other people (if any) we will be photographing. We want to know personalities, interests, achievements, preferences, constraints and, ultimately, what you plan to do with your photographs. We use this information to understand your branding (personal or professional), make recommendations for locations and clothing and estimate the amount of time and money you can expect to invest.

You will need time to digest all the information we give you during the consultation. You may also have to get buy-in or budget approval from a boss or spouse. When you’re ready to schedule a day and time for your portrait session, contact Scott via email, phone or text.

He will want to know what weekdays work best for you and talk about timing for ideal light and happiest moods (naps and meals are important at every age). If your spouse is a doctor, Scott will also remind you that doctors have “research days” and Mayo Clinic allows you to “flex your schedule” if you do not have patient appointments in the early morning or late afternoon.

Sometimes it takes a few messages back and forth to find something that works for everyone. When we do, Scott pencils it on the calendar and Kelly sends an invoice for the session fee.

Payment of the invoice confirms your reservation and officially reserves the day and time on our calendar exclusively for you.

Some people love this step because it gives them an excuse to go shopping for new clothes. Most people, though, feel anxiety about it because they not only have to dress themselves, but also others. They worry they won’t find something to hide their insecurities and make everyone else happy.

Kelly helps alleviate this stress by suggesting flattering colors and styles during the consultation meeting. Then, after you schedule your portrait session, she asks you to text pictures of the actual outfits you are considering. Sometimes the outfits are already in your closet. Sometimes they are still at the store. Either way, Kelly draws on her knowledge of your portrait session objectives and Scott’s posing techniques to give you honest, informed advice.

People always ask us for the best, most Instagram-worthy locations in Rochester Minnesota. They are visibly disappointed when we tell them the location or background of your portrait is not as important as the look on your face. That’s why we photograph family, baby and high school senior portraits outside, close to your home or cabin. It’s where you spend most of your time playing and making memories. These places are familiar, comfortable and give you your biggest, most genuine smiles.

Headshot portraits are a little more complicated. We photograph them in our studio, nature and/or your place of business. It all depends on your audience, the message you want to convey and what makes you special/different from competitors.

No matter where we go, Scott travels to each location before the day of your photo shoot to make sure it is accessible and will photograph as expected. He notes whether or not extra lighting or posing equipment is needed and looks for alternatives when locations are compromised by unexpected events like construction and weather.

Scott and Kelly work together at every portrait session.

Scott holds the camera and gives posing instructions. He tells you what to do with your head, hands, hips and feet to highlight your best features.

Kelly moves furniture, pulls weeds, blocks light, reflects light, tames hair, fixes collars, demonstrates poses, sings, dances and says outrageous things - whatever it takes to get your most amazing portrait ever.

We move fast because Scott wants to capture people before the light changes and/or someone gets cranky. We also take breaks when we need to warm up, cool down, hydrate, snack or change (clothing, diapers). We don’t leave, however, until Scott is confident we got what you wanted.

We select the best images from your family, baby and high school senior portrait sessions. We choose images that are “magazine worthy” and what we would want to see if we were you or your intended audience. We look for confidence, humor, a variety of expressions, natural movement, framing and color. We then color correct, retouch and use the chosen images to mock up ideas for art walls, books and cards.

You select the best images from your studio headshot portrait session. Kelly shows you her favorites on a computer screen before you leave the studio and guides you through the decision-making process. She points out differences, explains options, and notes special retouch requests. The whole time, she’s got your goals and branding in mind.

The order session happens 2-3 weeks after your family, baby or high school senior photo shoot and takes about an hour. Kelly texts to let you know everything is ready and schedules a time to meet at our studio, your home or via Zoom. The goal is to finalize and pay for your order so it is important to include all decision makers. No images or designs are posted online.

We consider this step an “art presentation” because it feels like an exciting, suspenseful unveiling. You finally get to see the results we’ve all been working toward since the consultation.

Kelly starts by guiding you through your collection of curated photographs, pointing out differences, explaining options and noting special requests. Then she shows you ideas for displaying and sharing your favorites.

You watch as Kelly moves images (virtually) on the actual walls of your home, sizing them up and down. You see layouts, fonts and text. You make decisions based on your style and how you want to be remembered.

Product orders are typically ready 4-6 weeks after you approve and pay for your artwork. Scott and Kelly carefully inspect and wrap each item before delivering it to your home or office. Gifts are packaged separately in black boxes with tissue paper, ribbons and name tags trimmed in gold foil.

Studio headshots are uploaded to a private online gallery 1-2 weeks after your photo shoot. Kelly emails a link with instructions when they are ready.

All other artwork is delivered according to project or publishing deadlines.

Art installation services are complementary with all print and canvas orders. Scott measures and nails until your walls look exactly like the layouts you chose during your order session.

Bonus:

If you’re not a customer or have other artwork you’d like to hang on your walls, we’re happy to help with that too. Just show us what you’ve got tucked in your closet and we’ll give you an estimate.