08/22/2026
📸 A Little Photographer PSA: How to Get the BEST Photos From Your Session
You hired a photographer because you looked through their work and thought, “Yep. I want my photos to look like that.”
And once you’ve found someone whose work you love, one of the best things you can do is trust them to do what you hired them to do.
There is SO much more happening behind the camera than just clicking a button. I’m constantly watching the light, the sun, the background, your angles, your posing, the weather, what’s happening behind you…and probably 47 other things you don’t even realize I’m paying attention to. 😂
So here are a few things that can make a HUGE difference in your final gallery:
❌ Don’t choose a location based only on how pretty it is.
I love a gorgeous location just as much as anyone, but pretty scenery with terrible light is still terrible light.
If I recommend a certain spot, direction, or time of day, trust me. I’m already picturing how that light is going to photograph.
❌ Don’t fight Mother Nature.
Florida especially likes to keep photographers humble. 😂
Wind, humidity, blazing sun, afternoon storms…we get it all.
If I suggest putting your hair up because the wind is going to have it stuck to your lip gloss in every photo, I promise I’m looking out for you.
If I suggest adjusting our time or location because of the sun or weather, there’s a reason.
Unfortunately, controlling the weather was not included when I bought my camera equipment. 😂
❌ Please don’t put heavy filters over your professional photos.
This one is important to me.
Editing is a HUGE part of my finished work. The colors, skin tones, lighting, contrast and overall look you see in my portfolio are intentional.
When you put another filter over a finished image or completely re-edit it, it no longer represents my work.
If there’s ever something bothering you about an image, just talk to me! I would much rather you reach out than feel like you need to fix it yourself.
❌ Don’t screenshot your gallery.
I promise I gave you that download button for a reason. 😂
Screenshots significantly reduce the quality. Download your images directly from your gallery so you have the beautiful, full-resolution files you paid for.
❌ Don’t expect Pinterest to be a copy-and-paste situation.
PLEASE bring me inspiration! I love seeing what you’re drawn to.
But your session won’t look exactly like someone else’s—and honestly, I don’t want it to.
Different people, locations, lighting, weather, outfits and personalities are what make YOUR photographs yours.
Let’s use Pinterest for inspiration and then create something that actually feels like you.
❌ Don’t wait until the session to tell me something important.
If you have an insecurity, an injury or mobility concern, a family situation I need to know about, a must-have photo, or something you’re nervous about—TELL ME.
You are never bothering me by communicating.
The more I know beforehand, the better I can take care of you.
❌ And please…don’t be late for a sunset session.
Sunset does not care that you got stuck behind a tractor on US 27. 😂
When I schedule around golden hour, sometimes we have a very specific window of beautiful light. Being 15 minutes late can mean losing 15 minutes of the BEST light.
Now for the good stuff…
✔️ DO choose your photographer because you genuinely love their work.
✔️ DO look through their portfolio and make sure their editing style is what you want.
✔️ DO communicate what matters to you.
✔️ DO tell me if a pose hurts, feels awkward, or simply isn't you.
✔️ DO let me guide you—even if something feels a little silly for two seconds. Sometimes the things that feel strange photograph AMAZINGLY.
✔️ DO laugh, move, interact, and enjoy yourself. Not every photograph needs everyone staring at the camera saying cheese.
✔️ DO download your entire gallery and BACK IT UP.
✔️ And PLEASE print your photos. Your memories deserve better than spending the next 20 years buried somewhere in your camera roll.
But the biggest one?
❤️ Trust the photographer you chose.
You don’t need to worry about where to put your hands, which direction the light is coming from, whether we should move three feet to the left, or why I suddenly got really excited about a random patch of weeds. 😂
That’s my job.
Your job is to show up, be yourself, enjoy the people you’re with, and let me take care of the rest.
Because the best photographs happen when you stop worrying about getting the “perfect picture” and actually enjoy the moment you're in.
PBJ Photography by Jodi
