Incase you haven’t heard… due to the stay at home orders that are in place, and the desire to respect the requests of healthcare workers and the CDC by staying home, some photographers have adapted and are now offering FaceTime sessions! This does require working with fellow iPhone users, but it might be pulled off using Zoom if the connection is clear enough. I have ALWAYS loved in-home sessions because it provides an aspect of the couple that you don’t get outside (not saying going outside is bad… we all know I love me some sun, but doing a shoot AT HOME brings in a comfortability and a representation of the couple that nowhere else can). I love seeing how many people have been taking advantage of this (and you can purchase a session with me by clicking here) so I have provided a helpful list of things below that can help you prepare for your FaceTime session!
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Have realistic expectations
It’s important to know straight out of the gate, that these photos are not supposed to look like the images that come from a professional grade camera. That doesn’t make them bad or any less special, it’s just important to make sure you understand that the quality will be different. But if you have already loved the vintage, grainy, soft, film look – I already know you are going to love them because that’s exactly what’s produced! As you can see in the images from this post (which was a real FaceTime session) they definitely give off a more old-school, film vibe which I personally LOVE but can be a shock if that’s not what you’re expecting!
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Be prepared to give your photographer a small, virtual, home tour!
Don’t let this scare you… not everyone is going to ask this of you.. but if they do they’re not asking you this to be weird haha but they need to be able to know where the best spot for doing the FaceTime sesh is gonna be! So if that means that you’re the type of person who can’t stand having any kind of mess when other people are involved with your home, then make sure to plan for a quick clean up the night/day before!
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In order to provide the best quality, your cell reception/wifi connection should be strong
If you know that you’re wifi is sucky, or if you’re in an area where cell reception is not the best (hi, that’s my husband and I) then this might not be the best option for you guys. You are still TOTALLY able to test it out, but don’t purchase a session (unless you know you can be refunded) without asking for a quick trail run of testing the connection – and hey, while you’re at it, use that time to get to know your photographer a little better! 🙂
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Be prepared to build or utilize stands/tripods to keep the iPhone/iPad upright
Because we are utilizing technology to make this happen, it’s important to know that your photographer is probably not going to want you to hold the device while doing it. They will probably ask if there’s some way for you prop it up on a box/dresser/table in order to let you guys be able to focus on each other and not on holding the device. If you’re pretty confident that you know where the best light would be, I would even set up the little station the day before as well so that when the photographer calls you you can ask if the set up fits the vision they had in mind!
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Be prepared to potentially move furniture if your photographer asks
Normally, if there are objects to be moved or anything of that sort, we photographers usually do it on our own. But because we won’t physically be with you, there might be points where we ask if you wouldn’t mind moving certain aspects that are in the background. Please know we’re not trying to tear your home apart haha we just want to make sure that we offer you the very best we can with the limitations that are being dealt with. This also may very well never happen, but just be prepared and willing just incase they do ask!
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Know that you will probably have to hold poses a little longer than how you normally would in person
So when we’re in person it takes less than a second to snap a few pictures. Which means even if you’re moving fast, we can still probably capture what we wanted (timing it just right is exactly what all photographers have to become experts in) but with possible connection lag, and just utilizing technology in general, you may have to hold certain directions that your photographer gives you longer than what feels normal. But just know that that’s not to make you feel uncomfortable, but rather to make sure that we actually got the shot we were going for!
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Be flexible and trust your photographer
I think it’s pretty normal for most people to scratch their heads a little when they hear the term FaceTime session haha because it’s not the normal we’re used to. But the best part about change is the adaptation that happens after, and right now, us creative are adapting to the situation and STILL creating magic for families/couples. Photographers have an understanding of light and editing that most people who don’t dabble in photography would know! Because of that, no matter how “crazy” it might seem – or if because of how crazy it sounds you’re on the fence about actually booking – just trust that this is where artists come alive. Keep your expectations realistic (these are not photos taken with a professional grade DSLR camera) but appreciate what others are able to create during this time.
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Ask your photographer for recommendations on what to wear.
You’ll definitely want to be comfortable, and you will most likely end up on the floor/bed at some point. But open up that line of communication so that they are able to share what their vision is for the session. They also know what compliments skin tones the best, so you know that leaving it in their hands will ultimately result in the best options! If you are not one to naturally want to dress up much, be sure to mention that! Or, if you DO enjoy dressing up, communicate that with them too and maybe you guys can create some awesome studio lighting using what’s around you!
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Brainstorm with your photographer ahead of time to talk about ideas and what can be utilized for the session.
Does anyone else love to cook? If you do, and you’re down to make pancakes, or pizza, or cookies… I think your photographer would LOVE that. It’s another way to capture your relationship genuinely. If you both love to read books, grab a couple and snuggle with each other. Because this is your space, you are going to have more knowledge about what can be captured in your day to day life, whereas when photographers pick locations, it’s usually because they’re familiar with what that spot has to offer.
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Use the back facing camera on your iPhone/iPad so that you don’t feel like you have to watch yourself pose.
Especially if you’re not naturally one for selfies, you’re not going to want to watch yourself be directed and it might just be a distraction for you. Use the back-facing camera to avoid seeing yourself, but also because the back-facing camera is a little bit better quality than the the front-facing. I mean, with the way Apple keeps upgrading things nowadays, it’s really not that bad for a phone, but! using the back-facing still ensures the best that we are able to use!
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Understand that communication might be a little bit harder because the photographer is seeing the opposite of you.
Don’t get frustrated if you hear your photographer say “Sorry, other direction” a lot. Remember, we’re not right in front of you anymore where we might be able to help you place your arms and what not. The camera shows us the mirrored version of you guys, so we have to get used to saying right when to us, it appears to be left. Etc etc. This is new for everybody so stay relaxed and if you feel so inclined, encourage us too! We are learning how to perfect this while we can, and hearing encouragement from you guys is so helpful!
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Relax and have fun!
All in all… just use this time to have some fun! It’s a unique way to change up the day to day activities that are starting to blur together 😉 Just as I encouraged the couples I did get to photograph in person, focus less on the fact that you are being photographer, and more on the fact that you get to hang out and have fun with your favorite person in the world. That mindset will help you immensely in feeling comfortable and relaxed. But don’t worry! I will help you as much as I can in that area as well.
If you would like to book a FaceTime session, feel free to reach out to me directly or send me an email at hello@kategarciaweddings.com. You can also click the button below to purchase a gift card for one of these sessions!
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