What is a Viewing Session anyway?
Choosing photographs of yourself can be surprisingly difficult. After a headshot or personal branding session, you might have dozens of images to look through, and figuring out which ones you love, which ones represent you best, and which ones will work for your business can feel overwhelming. That’s why I include a viewing session in my photography process. Rather than handing you an online gallery and leaving you to make all the decisions yourself, we sit down together, look through your photographs, and choose the images that feel right for you and your goals.
Why I Believe Viewing Sessions Are So Important
I know how easy it is to get stuck looking at photographs of yourself. Maybe you love your expression in one image but prefer the posture in another. Maybe you see a tiny detail that nobody else would notice, or you are unsure whether a photograph communicates the message you want to share with your audience. I experience this myself when I look at photographs of me, so I understand how challenging it can be.
I also think we judge photographs of ourselves differently than we judge other things. Think about photographing fall foliage. You might see the most beautiful colors and light with your own eyes, but your camera doesn't quite capture what you experienced. You don't necessarily judge the photograph as harshly. When it comes to an image of ourselves, though, we can be much more critical. Having someone there to help you navigate those feelings and see the possibilities can make the whole experience easier.
How We Choose Your Favorite Images
My viewing sessions take place over Zoom, so you can join me from the comfort of your home or office. I bring up your photographs, and we look at them a few at a time rather than presenting you with an overwhelming gallery of dozens or even a hundred images all at once.
As we go through the photographs, any image you like gets a one-star rating. We continue through the entire collection, and then we look only at those favorites. From there, we give two stars to the images you still love. We repeat this process until we have narrowed the selection down to a manageable number or reached the number of photographs you planned to purchase.
The best part is that photographs you don't like don't have to move forward in the process. We see them briefly, make a decision, and move on. You don't have to keep revisiting images that make you feel uncomfortable or distract you from the ones you love. And while we may make great progress during our time together, you don't have to make every final decision that day.
A Second Set of Eyes Can Make All the Difference
Sometimes, the photograph you love most isn't necessarily the one that works best for your intended purpose. This is especially true with professional headshots and personal branding photography. An image might be beautiful, but does it communicate your personality? Does it feel approachable, professional, creative, or confident in the way you want? Does it tell the story you want people to understand about you and your business?
This is where having another set of eyes can be especially helpful. I can offer guidance based on my experience, and we can talk about how different images might work for your website, social media, marketing materials, or other places you plan to use them. You are also welcome to invite someone else to join us, whether that's a web designer, a marketing professional, a business partner, or a friend or family member whose opinion you trust. Sometimes, hearing another perspective helps you see an image in a completely different way.
See what actually happens during a viewing session.
What About Retouching and Small Details?
One important thing to know is that the photographs you see during your viewing session have not yet been fully retouched. I may have made some basic adjustments, such as cropping or exposure corrections, but details like temporary blemishes, stray hairs, and other small distractions are typically addressed after you select your final images.
During the viewing, we can talk about those details and what can be done. Perhaps you love a particular photograph but feel uncertain about a flyaway hair, a temporary blemish, or the color of your shirt. Some things can be adjusted in retouching, while others, such as your expression, posture, or the overall feeling of a photograph, are important to consider before making your selection.
I want you to understand what is possible and what will be addressed before your final images are delivered. That way, you aren't left looking at an unfinished photograph and wondering whether a distracting detail can be fixed or assuming that what you see is exactly what your final image will look like. We can have that conversation together.
More Than Choosing Pictures, It's Part of the Experience
Of course, scheduling and hosting viewing sessions takes more time than simply sending an online gallery. But I believe that time is an important part of the service I provide. You are investing in photographs, but you are also investing in an experience where you have guidance, support, and someone who wants you to feel good about the images you choose.
My goal is for you to walk away with a collection of photographs you feel excited to share, not a gallery full of images you feel obligated to sort through. Whether we're choosing professional headshots, personal branding images, or portraits just for you, I want the process to feel collaborative and comfortable.
You don't have to figure it all out on your own. We'll look at the photographs together, talk through your options, and find the images that feel most like you and serve your goals. That's one of my favorite parts of working with my clients, and it's a step in the process I wouldn't want to leave out.
Ready for a Photography Experience That Feels Different?
Whether you need professional headshots, personal branding images, or portraits just for you, I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and confident throughout the process. From our first conversation to choosing your favorite images, you won't have to figure it all out on your own.
I'd love to hear what you're looking for and help you find the right photography experience for you.
Explore My Photography Services
Have questions? Get in touch and let's talk.