Photo sessions
Photo shoot: what does it mean? What types are there? How to prepare? How do the sessions conducted by me differ from others?
Here you will find everything you want to know about the photo shoot, and even what you don’t yet know you should ask about.
photo session – what does that mean?
A photo shoot is an event during which a photographer takes pictures of a certain person or group of people.
However, it refers to an event aimed at creating specific photos, and its course is dedicated to achieving this effect. This is facilitated by wardrobe, makeup, hair styling, and, most importantly, control over lighting.
The session can be portrait, fashion, commercial, or wedding.
What a photo session is not?
There’s also a lot of misinformation on the internet about what photo shoots are.
It’s not yet a photo shoot when you arrange to meet a photographer outdoors to take a few pictures. Nor can you call the act of making a photo reportage from an event a photo shoot. In such a situation, the photographer must adapt to the event’s schedule and the lighting on-site, rather than intervening in it. Landscape photography cannot be called a photo shoot either.
When you should order a session?
It’s worth opting for a photo shoot when you need very high-quality pictures! Usually, these include: Your photos! An exclusive gift for yourself – a photo session is a triple pleasure because 1 you create, 2 you have a great time during the session, and 3 the result stays with you forever
Professional image – thanks to the session, you can appear better than the competition or get a better job
Wedding – the session will help create beautiful, refined photos, while during the wedding, we focus on spontaneity and reportage Photos showcasing your product or offer: You’ll sell it for more and earn from it
You’ll sell more of it and earn from it
Nude Photography
Nude in the studio – the interplay of body and light
more about nude photography…
Sensual Photo Sessions
Female portrait and boudoir sessions
more about sensual sessions…
Business Portrait
Photography for companies and professional CV photos
everything about business photography…
Photo sessions for social media Professional photo sessions for social media
Family Photo Sessions
In the studio or outdoor photo sessions
more about family sessions…
Maternity Photography
Maternity photos in a family, artistic nude, or glamour style
more about maternity sessions…
What I do?
I perform sessions:
- image, business portrait
- female (nude, sensual)
- family
- wedding and engagement sessions
I don`t do:
- interior and child sessions
How much does it coast?
Session`s price elements are:
- cost of the photographer’s work on-site
- location cost
- makeup cost
- hairdresser cost
- cost of retouching – photo retouching costs range from 15 PLN / piece for original editing without local adaptations to several thousand for large-format photos intended to hang on a building wall.
- cost of photos (photographer taking photos based on their own idea and settings, holds the property copyright to them and can sell them)
- other local and logistical fees
This is what it looks like when the photo shoot is organized by the photographer themselves or you do it yourself. If the session is organized by a specialized agency, agency fees should also be added to the prices.
Photo Session – How to Book One?
Whether it’s a women’s session, business session, or any other type, if you’re ready for your first photo session, here are the next steps:
- Write or call to let me know what kind of photos you need. You can send examples or inspirations, and I’ll advise you on the best option.
- For the PREMIUM option, I’ll handle the organization and necessary bookings (makeup, styling, studio, or apartment).
- I’ll give you tips on how to prepare and what to bring with you.
- Three days after the session, you’ll receive a preview of all the successful photos with initial edits, from which you can choose your favorites.
- After three days, you’ll receive beautifully packaged prints and digital versions of the photos.
For more information on how to book a session and what details will be helpful, you can check the article on how to book a photo session.
Quick Session or PREMIUM Option?
In the EASY option, you can book a 1-2 hour session outdoors or in a studio. This option is great for family sessions or photos for social media. The photos are ready very quickly, and after the session, you select your favorite shots from an online gallery. As the name suggests, booking an EASY session is, well, easy!
PREMIUM – this option is for those with higher expectations. The standard includes a session in a studio or adapted apartment, makeup by an experienced artist who assists during the session, and the photos undergo detailed graphic processing and full retouching (skin smoothing, color correction, blemish removal, and advanced beauty techniques like frequency separation and dodge & burn). In this option, you can book a boudoir session, nudes, business photos, or professional images for your website. Here, you can order a personalized PREMIUM session package.
How Does a Photo Session Unfold?
A photo session is an interaction between the model, photographer, and makeup artist. You’ll be surprised how quickly your nerves disappear, and how much work goes into it, despite how fun it looks! I conduct the session to create a variety of shots with different lighting setups, so you have plenty to choose from. The rest is a process of discovery, experimentation, and building a story, frame by frame. It’s a working method where the photographer suggests but also listens and observes. Every session is different because every person and story is unique. Sometimes it’s a moment full of laughter and freedom, other times it’s a moment of focus and introspection. A session is a journey – sometimes calm, sometimes full of surprises, but always unforgettable.
How does the selection and post-production process work after a photo session?
Before the magic becomes reality, the photos need to be selected. You’ll receive the preview images online within 3 days after the session. I will highlight my recommendations right away—there will be as many as there are included in your package. You are always free to modify or expand my selection by purchasing additional shots.
I always try to offer photos that are representative of the entire session, ensuring that we capture as many of the ideas we worked on as possible. Clients often ignore this and simply choose the ones where they look their best—and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Selecting the photos is also a process of discovering the most expressive moments that capture the essence of the session.
Then comes post-production—the art of retouching, which is aimed at emphasizing the natural beauty of the photo (and adding a little extra, too). This is where colors become richer, light more striking, and emotions more tangible. Shapes are enhanced, and the skin is smoothed (in the Premium option). Each photo is meticulously polished, turning it from a mere memory into a true work of art.
A Photo Session as a Gift
A photo session is a great way to capture beauty, gather the whole family, express emotions, or appear together in the studio as a family.
But a session also makes for a fantastic gift. Photography is a perfect surprise that will delight the recipient, and the results will be cherished for a long time. A photographer has the ability to create smiles through their lens, and photography services are more than just a service—they are an event that can be surrounded by a sense of magic. Magic that will be preserved in photos forever. A session as a gift is something every woman dreams of—it’s about emotions, surprises, and later, memories that only a professional photographer can capture.
I offer beautifully personalized gift vouchers for photo sessions. The most popular is, of course, the women’s session, but vouchers can represent any type of session or give the recipient the freedom to choose. A voucher is always a successful gift, guaranteeing great fun during the photo shoot and, of course, beautiful photos—whether it’s a maternity session or a birthday photo shoot. You can find more information about vouchers here.
Photography for Business
There’s no better way for individual clients to spend their time than with a photo session. Seriously. But I also specialize in business photography.
You can find information about business photography, event reportage, and commercial photography on the page “Photography for Business” at zaborski-foto.pl. I warmly invite you!
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Photo Sessions
How should I prepare for a photo session?
First and foremost, be well-rested. Avoid alcohol, as it often shows up better in photos than it does on a breathalyzer. Regardless of the type or purpose of the session, it’s worth bringing several pairs of shoes and pieces of jewelry (one for each outfit). This ensures variety in the photos, making it less obvious that they were taken in one go. If we don’t have a specific goal in mind, it’s always good to have more outfits on hand. Bring something elegant, something with sporty elegance, something fitted, and something casual. Of course, it’s best if these are items you love and feel comfortable in.
What happens during a photo session?
During the session, I focus on creating a friendly atmosphere, suggest the best poses, and adjust the lighting to highlight your strengths while leaving any shortcomings in the shadows. I take many photos so you’ll have plenty to choose from. After the session, you’ll receive previews of the shots with the best ones marked. You can approve or change my selection. You can also order more photos than are included in the package.
After the agreed-upon time, you’ll receive a download link, a DVD, or a USB drive with high-resolution digital versions of the photos (suitable for both print and web) as well as an album or prints, depending on the option you’ve chosen. For individual sessions, I never require permission to publish. Aside from selected projects, the sessions take place in Warsaw.
Do you provide raw files?
RAW files are used to produce the final product and are not provided to clients.
Will I receive all the photos taken during the session?
You will receive only the contracted images, meaning the selected photos. This includes those in the package and any additional images you purchase. You can always check the number of images in the package and the price of extra photos in the configurator.
What does a photo session offer?
Everyone has their own opinion In my view, it’s support for your image, a chance to get great photos, and a confidence boost. From observing my clients, I’d say it’s mainly an incredible experience and a lot of fun.
How much does a one-hour photo session cost?
Many clients ask specifically about one-hour sessions. One hour is too short for a session with makeup or a session as a gift for a husband. For EASY sessions (without makeup), one hour is fine, but you’ll need to come prepared, and there won’t be time for a pre-session conversation or to get used to the camera. You can always check current prices for EASY sessions here.
Remember, photography isn’t just documentation; it’s a tool for telling stories, expressing emotions, and capturing moments that won’t return. It’s also an opportunity to look as good as no one else
If you feel ready for your first or next session, feel free to contact me and book a consultation. Together, I’m sure we’ll create unforgettable images.