What to Expect From a “Come As You Are” Portrait Session in Red Deer

Most people don’t book a photoshoot because they feel ready. The number of people who have told me they’re booking a photoshoot because they feel “ready” vastly pales in comparison to what the majority are saying - “this sounds intriguing but it’s out of my comfort zone.” This tells me something though. It tells me that you’re intrigued (obviously, as per the quote in the last sentence), that you’re drawn to the idea and you want to do it, but that you need more information to feel comfortable and maybe even some permission or reassurance that wanting to do something so extravagantly focused on yourself is okay.

It is okay. Here are some details to get you some more information (because information is power, right?)

In considering any type of photoshoot experience, it’s not unheard of for you to be worrying “I’m not photogenic” or “this is way out of my comfort zone” or even, “I don’t really need a bunch of photos of myself.”

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Quite the opposite, actually. But like we determined just now, there’s a reason you’re here and it’s exactly why these sessions exist. A “Come As You Are” session isn’t about showing up perfectly prepared, confident, and ready for anything. It’s about being feeling ready for a change and open enough to explore this experience with support and guidance the whole way through. Here’s what that actually looks like from beginning to end.

Before You Book: Starting With a Conversation

Every session starts with a conversation. Not a commitment, just a chance to talk. You can reach out however feels easiest - text, phone, Instagram, Facebook, or contact me through my website - and we’ll set up a time for a discovery call. This is where I get to hear what’s bringing you here. What made you start thinking about doing something like this? What are you hoping to get out of it, even if you’re not totally sure yet? I’ll also walk you through how everything works, what to expect, and go over basic pricing so there are no surprises later and explain the process/answer any questions you might have. You don’t need to have it all figured out before this call. Most people don’t. If you’re in Central Alberta and still in that “just thinking about it” stage, this part is intentionally low pressure.

Planning Your Session Together

Once you decide to move forward, we book two dates: your session, and a consultation. The consultation is where things start to come together. We’ll meet in person or over Zoom, and this is where I really get to know you a little better - what matters to you, how you want to feel when you look at your photos, and what you want your images to reflect. This is also where we go through wardrobe. If you’re thinking, “I have nothing to wear,” you’re in good company. Almost everyone feels that way at first.You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. You don’t need to be someone else. You just need pieces that feel like you, and I’ll help you figure out what that looks like in a way that also photographs well.

If you want a starting point, I go into more detail here:
→ What to Wear to Your Photoshoot

Keep in mind that wardrobe guidelines aren’t hard and fast rules, and that this specific type of session is more about authenticity than about showing off your Sunday best. The entire process is collaborative. You’re not being fit into a template, we’re building something that feels aligned with you. That starts in YOUR closet, and that’s what I’ll help you with.

The session planning appointment also serves an important purpose in that it lets you get a chance to know me a little more. For people that are a little unsure, this makes a big difference in your comfort. For those that ARE sure, this just lets us bond and get excited about what’s to come!

Session Day: You Don’t Have to Know What You’re Doing

By the time session day comes around, you’re not walking into something unfamiliar. You already know what to expect, and you’re not doing it alone. We’ll meet at my downtown Red Deer studio, put on some music, and ease into things. There’s a plan based on everything we talked about, but there’s also space for things to unfold naturally. If you’re worried about posing, you don’t need to be.

You don’t need to know what to do with your hands.
You don’t need to know your “angles.”
You don’t need to be convinced that you’re “photogenic.”

I’ll guide you as much or as little as you need. I’ll never leave you wondering what to do next, but I’m also not going to over-direct you to the point where it feels unnatural. The goal is to help you settle into yourself, not perform. For “Come As You Are” sessions especially, we often strip things back. There’s less focus on perfection and more focus on how you feel in the moment. If you’ve been exploring alternatives to boudoir photography or looking for something that feels more grounded and less performative, this tends to resonate in a different way.

Seeing Your Photos (Without the Overwhelm)

After your session, we’ll go through your images together. Sometimes we do this the same day. Other times, it’s better to come back to it a few days later when you’ve had time to reset emotionally and physically. These sessions make us hungry and sore. You’ll see.

We’ll sit down in person or over Zoom and go through everything together. You won’t be left trying to choose on your own. I’ll help guide you through the process of narrowing things down to the images you actually love, the ones that make you feel something. If you’ve ever struggled with liking photos of yourself, this part matters more than people expect.

This isn’t about ending up with hundreds of photos, it’s about choosing the ones that really resonate or connect.

Your Photos Aren’t Meant to Live on Your Phone

Most sessions (aside from personal branding) are designed with printed work in mind. Albums. Wall art. Pieces you can actually live with and see every day. Can you imagine passing a powerful portrait of yourself hanging in the hallway to your bedroom every single day and being reminded of the experience of creating that image, what you put on the table to bring that art into existence? Can you imagine feeling that love constantly?

During your image reveal, you’ll choose how you want your photos to exist beyond the screen. From there, I’ll retouch your selected images to your preferred level and send them off for printing. When everything arrives, we’ll arrange a pickup or drop-off if you live in Red Deer or the immediately surrounding area. If you’ve chosen wall art and aren’t sure about installing it, I can help with that too.

These photos aren’t meant to disappear into your camera roll. They’re meant to be part of your space, your life, and your story.

Who These Sessions Are Really For

These sessions can be for anyone, but they tend to resonate deeply with women who have lived a life and have things to look back on, things to pass down and let others learn from, too.

Women who have spent years taking care of other people and relationships.
Women who feel like they’ve lost touch with themselves somewhere along the way, or alternatively those who have developed a strong connection and recognize the worth in documenting that.
Women who are starting to realize there’s something worth acknowledging in who they are right now, not just who they used to be or who they’re trying to become.

For women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, there’s often a different kind of weight to the experience. A sense of reflection and recognition. Sometimes even a desire to pass something down. To show younger women that there’s strength and value in every stage of life.

The Part No One Really Talks About

People don’t leave these sessions saying, “those are nice photos.” They leave saying, “this is exactly what I needed.” Not because everything in their life suddenly changed, but because, for a moment, they saw themselves differently.

Maybe with a little more understanding.
Maybe with a little more appreciation.
Maybe just with the realization that they’re not as alone or as disconnected as they thought. That’s the part that stays with you. The photos just help you hold onto it.

If You’re Thinking About It

You don’t need to feel ready.You don’t need to know exactly what you want yet.If you’re even a little curious what this could look like for you, the first step is just a conversation.→ Learn more or book your Come As You Are session