Timeline of a Family Photoshoot: What Really Happens Before, During, and After Your Session

HELLO, AND WELCOME!

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into a family photoshoot – beyond the few joyful moments in front of the camera – you are very much not alone. The family photoshoot process in Perth involves careful planning and a series of steps to capture those perfect moments.

I get this question all the time. What happens before and after the session? How long does editing take? Do I tell you what to do on the day? Do the kids need to behave perfectly? (Spoiler alert: absolutely not!)

The truth is, the actual time I spend photographing your family is just one part of a much larger experience. It is built entirely around you – your comfort, your questions, and your beautiful memories.

So today, I’d love to walk you through exactly what that journey looks like with me. This journey is from our first email to the moment your finished gallery arrives in your inbox. My hope is that by the end of this post, you’ll feel more excited and a lot less overwhelmed about what to expect.

BEFORE THE SHUTTER CLICKS

There’s a quiet kind of preparation that happens long before we ever meet in person.

One thing I’ve learned as a Perth family photographer is that half of my job is actually helping you prepare for your session in a way that feels calm and clear. I’ve lovingly built my process around reducing stress and answering the questions you might not even know you’ll have yet.

So, what happens before the camera comes out? Here’s a peek:

• Location & Wardrobe Guides
  Most families feel unsure about what to wear or where to shoot, and that’s completely normal. That’s why I’ve created detailed, visual guides that walk you through my favourite Perth locations and outfit inspiration. These arrive automatically via email, just when you need them during the process.
• Email Support Before the Session
  My email sequence is full of helpful prompts, reminders, and information tailored to you. I’ve poured so much thought into these thoughtful touch points – they come just when questions like “What happens next?” tend to pop up.
• Prep Behind the Scenes
  What you don’t often see is the hours I spend scouting locations, especially if your session calls for something unique or seasonal. There’s also the administrative side: planning your shoot, preparing gear, and ensuring every detail is ready for our time together.

This quiet investment of time is what sets the tone. It’s where trust begins – and where the magic starts building, even before I lift my camera.

THE SESSION ITSELF: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE

Here’s where all that preparation pays off.

My sessions are never rushed or overly posed. I keep things gentle, slow-paced, and open to the natural rhythm of your family. I always say: we’re not after stiff smiles, but real connection. It’s the way your child curls into you when they’re shy, the spontaneous laughter when someone says something silly, and the way your partner looks at you when you’re not even paying attention.

• No Forced Poses
  I’ll gently guide you, of course, but nothing about our time together will feel stiff or artificial. Connection is what we’re capturing.
• Children Welcome As They Are
  If your child is neurodivergent, shy, rambunctious, or having an off day – I welcome that with open arms. I hold space for who they are, not who they’re “supposed to be.”
• Lasting Impressions Begin Here
  As we walk back to the car, most families tell me how surprised they were at how much they enjoyed it. It doesn’t feel like a photoshoot – it feels more like a happy memory in itself.

And before we part, I always walk you through what comes next: what to expect for your gallery, how to access it, and how the rest of the process unfolds. That conversation is just as much a part of the experience as the photos themselves.

BEHIND THE SCENES: AFTER THE SESSION

Here’s something most people don’t realise: the shooting part is the shortest part of the entire process.

What happens after we say goodbye is where the real behind-the-scenes hours begin:

• Importing & Culling
  I carefully upload and review every image from your session, selecting the strongest ones that best tell your story.
• Thoughtful Editing
  Every photo you receive has been gently refined to reflect my signature style – natural, luminous, and true to life.
• Gallery Creation & Communication
  I don’t batch-send with a “click and forget” approach. I update you personally with delivery timelines, gallery access instructions, and next steps for selecting your favourites or purchasing prints.

Speaking of prints – if you choose to order a physical piece, you’re getting more than just a product. You’re receiving something I’ve worked on by hand. I often spend extra hours creating your order and driving to collect it myself. Chain stores simply don’t compare.

This part of the process is where your session becomes a legacy you get to hold, display, and treasure.

WHY IT MATTERS

I built Jessica Lockhart Photography because I know, in my bones, that photos are so much more than pretty pictures.

They’re how we remember love, childhood, family, and seasons of life that shift so quickly. They’re how our children see themselves through our eyes. They’re what we’ll pull out decades from now to show our grandchildren what life felt like.

And for that kind of work to truly matter, the full journey needs to be kind, thoughtful, and real. This is before, during, and after your session.

So if you’ve been holding off because you’re worried it will be awkward or chaotic, know this: every part of my process has been designed to help you feel calm, connected, and cared for.

READY TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?

If you’re dreaming of relaxed, heartfelt family portraits that feel like you, I’d be so honoured to capture them.

Want to explore what a session could look like for your family? You can reach out through my contact form anytime and I’ll walk you through the full process with warmth and care. Everything starts with a conversation – and I can’t wait to get to know you.

Until then, just know: your story matters, and it’s always worthy of being captured.

Warmly,
Jessica