You know one of my favorite feelings as a photographer? It’s when I deliver a gallery to a client, and within minutes, I receive a notification from Instagram because I’ve been tagged in photos from that just-delivered gallery.

I love it when you adore your photos. But do you know what I love even more? When your photos find a life beyond the social media post. Truly, nothing thrills me more than seeing how clients choose to showcase their photos in their homes, in albums, on walls, or even tucked into wallets.

However, sometimes your photos never venture beyond your feed. You’ve made a significant investment in having your photos taken. You’ve taken time off, coordinated with the photographer, chosen outfits, gone shopping, had your makeup done, and then participated in the photoshoot. After all that effort, your photos deserve a place not just on your grid but on your walls.

Welcome to the post-photoshoot guide! Here are five things to consider doing after receiving your photos!

Back Them Up

If there’s one key takeaway from this blog, it’s this: Back up your photos. It’s arguably the most critical step. Upon receiving your photos, make it a priority to download and save them in multiple locations. I urge clients to not only save them on their phones but also to cloud storage options like Google Drive or Dropbox. It’s prudent to have your photos saved on at least one cloud platform.

For my clients, I maintain galleries for approximately 6 months before they are removed. While you will receive a reminder before the gallery’s deletion, life can be hectic, and notifications can be missed. By having your images backed up, you ensure their preservation regardless of any oversight.

Print Them 

This point is close to my heart. In our digital age, the tangible joy of printed photos can easily be overlooked. However, I cannot emphasize enough the value and warmth they bring. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to print your memories. If you’re unsure about the printing process, your photographer is always a great resource.

Believe me, you’ll never regret having photos in tangible form. When you print photos, you’re not just producing images on paper. You’re investing in turning a house into a home, creating conversation starters for visitors, and quite literally framing history for all to see. So, go on and print those photos, my friends.

For my clients: Did you know you can order prints straight from your Pixieset gallery? It’s incredibly convenient. The cherry on top? When you order prints through my platform, you not only support your favorite photographer, but you’re also guaranteed a perfect color match between what you view online and what gets printed. This level of color fidelity is ensured only when you collaborate with the printer your photographer trusts.

Types of prints available for order:

• Basic photos
• Albums
• Canvas
• Calendars
• Holiday Cards
• And so much more!

Turn Them into Art

Photography is art. While my style isn’t the usual “sit and smile,” the result is still art, and you’re the main subject.

Whether it’s through glossy prints that shine on your walls or the textured feel of canvas, there’s a variety of display options available. Many sizes and formats cater to different preferences. For instance, some of my maternity clients mix photos from both their maternity and newborn shoots, creating a visual timeline of their budding family’s beginnings.

Respond to Your Photographer

This might seem like a minor detail, but I believe it’s worth mentioning.

Remember when I mentioned that photography is an art? That means when I produce these images, I’m sharing a piece of myself as an artist. Being a Pisces and naturally empathetic, I’m filled with emotions. Sending off a gallery to a client makes me anxious. From planning, corresponding, traveling, shooting, to editing, I’ve invested more than 20 hours into ensuring the session is perfect. When I don’t get a response, doubt creeps in.

While a tiny rational part of me thinks you might just be busy or you’re taking your time to soak in the photos, the louder part fears you might not like them.

A simple acknowledgment or feedback can save your photographer – me in this instance – from unnecessary stress. A brief message expressing your thoughts on the gallery can make a world of difference!

Leave a Review 

If you’ve had a wonderful experience and cherish the photos resulting from it, please share your thoughts. My business thrives on referrals, and heartfelt testimonials from satisfied clients play an invaluable role. Aside from scheduling a session, leaving a review is one of the most straightforward ways to support a photographer’s work.

And there you go! Those are my top five suggestions for what to do after receiving your photos. I hope you found them useful, and I’m eager to see the creative ways you showcase your gallery!

If you have any questions on printing photos, please email me at hello@shannonalyse.com.