Dear Reader,
This letter will explain everything you need to know but not everything. Your Embodied Portrait Session will be entirely unique to you. It will be a reflection of who you are and what you value. This letter is long (and that’s on purpose). You are about to invest your hard-earned money into a deeply personal experience, and I am about to invest a great amount of time and creative energy into giving you the best of all I’ve got! It’s important that I explain as much of it as possible before you give a big resounding YES. What we create together will be a physical manifestation of your dreams! Your aspirations! And the parts of you that feel messy and incomplete. Choosing to show up this way can feel like a daunting task, but it is also exciting. If you do say yes, I promise I’ll be there to guide you all along the way…
Welcome to The Embodied Portrait Session
A photoshoot meets 1:1 workshop to loosen up the bolts and guide you to a portrait that feels like you. Over the course of three weeks, I’ll walk you through a series of questions, creative exercises, and conversations that will help us uncover it all. Together, we’ll demystify the magic of portraiture while creating some of our own.
Let’s get started!
Week 1
Step Into The Portal
This is a first date, so it's okay if you feel nervous. It's a chance for us to connect through video chat, where I'll ask questions to get to know you better. Feel free to ask me anything about the process too; this space is yours. You’ll need to find a quiet place for our chat where you feel comfortable sharing openly.
Before we meet, I'll send you a "recipe book" with questions to get started. Don't worry; it’s not a test. Nothing is written in stone; it’s just the beginning of our journey together, my friend! Whether you have a clear vision or a blank slate, I'm here to help uncover ideas you didn’t even know you had. Prepare to be surprised!
We actually cover a lot of ground in this first meeting. We’ll talk about the ingredients in the recipe book you filled out and the wardrobe you’re thinking of (or haven’t thought about yet); we’ll set a date for our second meeting and put a soft hold on our shoot date. This is a time for you to spill your guts if you want, but you certainly don’t have to. This space is yours, remember? I will also send you away with some fun activities to help tend to your artist’s soul as we prepare for our next meeting.
Weeks 2-3
Cast A Spell
During weeks 2-3, we'll explore our visions together. By this point, you will have new things to meditate on. The stakes may feel high, but just remember that everything we come up with is just a springboard for where we'll end up. Who knows exactly where we’ll land? Only the photo gods, I say! In the meantime, we get to throw our curiosity at the wall and see what wants to stick.
The work you do on your own depends on what we uncover during our first meeting. I may ask that you provide more ingredients for our springboard while you experiment with A RITUAL FOR GETTING DRESSED to help you decide what to wear and, more importantly, why you want to wear it. Already have an idea of how you want to adorn yourself? no problem, this exercise will only deepen your confidence in your choices.
After completing our homework, we'll meet again over Zoom to discuss our findings and continue painting a vision for your session.
This second meeting is really about getting a clearer picture of what matters most to you. Think of it as setting an intention about how you wish to show up on the day of the shoot. It is not about making a perfect plan. It’s about using pictures, memories, and dreams to cast a vision that will impact how you feel when you finally meet in real life. Real life!!
Lastly, we’ll solidify the fine details like the official date of our shoot, wardrobe, location, and time of day. I’ll also walk you through what you can expect on that day and send you away with some tips on how to prepare!
keep scrolling!
Okay, listen, this process is meant to be flexible. Sometimes, it's three weeks, other times four. It's tailored to you, so try not to overthink the timeline. Usually, by week four, we're ready to go. But occasionally the shoot might happen a little sooner. By the way, if you consider yourself a natural in front of the camera, or have some experience with modeling, that's awesome! We'll use this time to delve deeper into your skills. Come with an open heart and a readiness to shine.
Weeks 3-4
Bring It To Life
Here are 6 things I REALLY want you to know about the day of your session:
THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT
Together, we will step into a portal where time is non-existent. Get ready for it. We get to take up as much time and space as we want and need. Whether it’s two hours or five, I can’t say! But trust me when I say that we will. While we are in that space, you’ll have my full undivided attention. I’ve got nowhere to be but with you!
GUIDANCE
I will never just throw you in front of the camera and expect you to remember exactly what you should be doing with your hands. I will help you to remember. This is the part I can’t explain in a letter, but you’ll see. I have zero expectations for how you should or will be, only faith in how much you are capable of. You will know when things start and end and feel taken care of throughout.
THIS IS NOT MY FIRST RODEO, AND IT WON’T BE YOUR LAST
Please rid yourself of the belief that this is your one and only shot at getting it right. You will do this again, I guarantee it. It might not be with me, but you will be photographed again someday. I cannot guarantee that this experience will not feel like a challenge, but give yourself the chance to envision it being better than your wildest dreams—and not because of me, but because of you.
SHIT HAPPENS
Did your period come early? Did you not get great sleep? Did you just get in an awkward fight with your friend, and now you’re feeling weird? No problem. Allow yourself to be a little unhinged, ok? We all are! But please know I will provide some space for us to ground ourselves so you can let go of wherever you just came from and enjoy the present moment. I do this for me just as much as I do it for you.
A BIG BOUQUET
You're probably wondering how many photos you'll get. Unlike most photographers who charge based on time and assets, I'm not limited by arbitrary constraints because in this world, there are none! You'll likely receive more than the norm. On average, sessions yield 50-150 images. Could be slightly more or slightly less. The amount is not reflective of how “successful” the shoot was. I’m a quality-over-quantity kind of guy. At the same time, I won’t hold back the good stuff. I’m going to give you a nice big bouget that feels complete. If this ambiguity makes you uncomfortable, let's discuss it in week 1.
This process requires time, trust, and fluidity and is spread over 3-4 weeks to let our creativity simmer in the background. This is how much of the magic happens. Structure keeps us on track, signaling safety and method amid the mystery.
It’s very rare, but occasionally, people may jump ship. What I mean by that is whether from fear or life's interruptions, the portrait session never happens.
This process is not for the impatient or unready. If you pause, you have three months to reschedule. Afterward, 50% of the total fee may be charged in order to restart the process. You will put down a deposit and there are no refunds. There is also no shame in starting anew! This safeguards everyone's time and sacred creative energy. It also protects others who have invested in this process and whom I have set intentional time aside for in the same way I’ve done for you.
This isn’t to scare you away. I care about making pictures and keeping commitments, but I care more about your humanity and the state of the world we live in. Talk to me if something comes up, we’ll work it out.
If and when things slow down, I will pick the pace back up in other areas so that we can remain ON TIME.
In this case, ON-TIME means we are not avoiding the unknown. We are not losing momentum to the point where we forget what we are doing or why we’re doing it. Let’s keep the fire burning, baby. No one gets left in the dust. This timeline is shaped to help the planners and support those of us who move through life in more squiggly ways.
No matter how things unfold, I’m here to help bring your visions to life. This is my dying wish! It is ok to be scared; it is okay if shit hits the fan. I hate rushing. Let’s not do that.
Flexibility is key; rain or illness, we adapt. Divine timing prevails, but communication is vital. If this sounds good to you, I'm your photographer. Keep scrolling!
A BRIEF AND *VERY* IMPORTANT NOTE ON TIME, NOT RUSHING, AND KEEPING COMMITMENTS…
A few elements out of your control…
I don't alter bodies but may remove temporary zits unless you tell me otherwise. I aim to maintain as much natural skin texture as possible, though my images are typically not very sharp. I want to you to look like you. Your authenticity is my priority, and if there is a particular detail you’re worried about, let me know what you'd like me to focus on during the shoot. I’ve got your back!
Turnaround time for the photos is approximately 4 weeks, but if you need them sooner, let's chat first. Rushing edits isn't my style; I prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Your images are my priority until they're delivered. And even then, they live in my heart forever!! Patience pays off, I promise. I'll explain more about my approach later if you'd like. Last but certainly not least, I do not provide sneak previews during or even after the shoot. Please trust me when I say that this is for your own good! I’m happy to talk with you about my ethos around this, just ask. Ok, keep scrolling.
Quick check-in time.
Hey there! How's it going?
You’re almost done with the letter.
Let's take a moment to breathe deeply—inhale, aaaand exhale.
Before we dive in further, I want you to think about something:
This is your chance to embrace every part of yourself, even the parts that might feel unfamiliar and need extra tending to.
This is the perfect time to practice showing up for yourself and your body just as it is today.
Ready to continue? Keep scrolling!
Many folks enter this process with “practical” motives for wanting to be photographed. It almost seems easier to invest in something like this if it’s for business or a special event. But what if you don't have that?
Money stuff.
Spending a lot of money on pictures of yourself might not have ever been something you thought you’d be able to justify. But we are about to have a real exchange here; money is just one layer. It’s a cool layer, in my opinion.
Where we spend our money says a lot about what and who we value. I love spending my money on the stuff that truly matters to me. I am not here to convince you if you are on the fence. I’m here to remind you of what you care about. You might have discovered that right now, this isn’t it. However, if the things I’ve talked about have excited you, you might be on the right track!
You don’t need a reason to celebrate—a wedding, a birthday, or a promotion—and you don’t need permission from anyone but yourself. (btw this took me years in therapy just to grasp, and I’m still learning.) But isn’t it cool that we get to participate in this wild exchange? Isn’t it cool that you can just do something like this for fun? What a privilege! What a gift!
In my dream world, you would feel so stoked to spend this money on yourself that when you cut that check (a metaphor, because, like, who has checked these days? lol), it will feel SO GOOD to see that money exits in your bank account. In return, I get to say WOW, THANK YOU, WHAT AN HONOR TO RECEIVE THIS!
A BLESSING FOR MONEY
May the money you spend feel good to spend.
May the money you invest feel like a gift and investment in yourself.
May we create a space and moment in time that will remain with you for many, many years to come.
May the pictures be cool.
May the experience feel expansive and nourishing.
Investment
The images you receive are for non-commercial use only, meaning they won't be sold or directly used to sell a product or service. If you're a brand, entrepreneur, influencer, or artist seeking book or album covers, let's chat first to ensure we're aligned. Many clients seek pragmatic photos alongside a unique experience. You can have both! The price may not even shift. But that’s chat to make sure we’re in tune with the investment that makes the most sense for both of us. This is my livelihood; please respect this process. Your dreams matter, and I'm here to help make them a reality!
YOU MADE IT!
Wow, what a journey, and thank you truly for being here. It means so much to me that you took the time to read all of this. Your curiosity alone makes me feel seen, and whether you have decided this is for you or not, your presence and willingness to open your mind to a different way of creating is so powerful to me. My hope is that this is the right thing for you at exactly the right moment, and I can’t wait to find out if that’s the case.
Are you ready? Do you have more questions? Feeling nervous and just want to talk to me to feel it out? Click the button below to begin the process or fill out the form if you have more questions. I can’t wait.
my space to be messy
I want to acknowledge that putting together this letter was a challenge for me. Trying to synthesize everything I care about while also getting you the necessary information felt intimidating! Even in my attempts to keep things imperfect, lots of disclaimers and fluff needed to be edited out in the process.
I desire to move through this world, embodying this sentiment, so much so that I had the phrase EMBRACE A BIG MESS tattooed over the tops of my knees! I care about this work more than I’ve cared about anything else I’ve ever done. And with that comes the fear of really screwing it up. I make mistakes all of the time. My big secret is I’m doing this work right alongside you - the work of allowing myself the freedom to be seen, take up space and show up wholeheartedly.
What a gift it is to be in this together.