You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out Before We Talk
By Diane Dultmeier | Stuart, Florida Family Photographer
So many people assume they should already know what they want before calling a family photographer like me, but you really don’t.
People assume they need to have a location in mind, know what everyone will wear and have some idea where they might display their portraits.
You really don’t.
You don’t need to know whether your session should take place at the beach, in a park or at your home. You don’t need to have everyone’s clothing coordinated—or even know where to begin. You don’t need to decide what size portrait will look right over the sofa or whether an album might be a better fit for your family.
You also don’t need to know how we are going to pull this off with your particular family and all the dynamics involved.
Most people come to me with a reason, not a plan.
Maybe your children are growing up faster than you expected. Perhaps your senior is about to begin a year filled with “lasts.” Your young adult children may be starting lives of their own, or your adult children and grandchildren may finally be gathering in one place. You may simply have realized that it has been years since you created a meaningful portrait of the people you love most.
Sometimes the reason is difficult to put into words. You simply know that this season matters and you don’t want to let it pass without preserving it.
That is more than enough for our first conversation.
This beach portrait of three adult siblings captures their relationship in such a special way!
Our first call is simply a chance to talk
If your previous portrait experiences began by choosing a date from an online calendar, you may wonder why we need to talk first. Some of my clients initially expected to click a scheduling link and book their session. Once we began talking, though, they discovered how much they appreciated having someone take the time to get to know them and guide them through the experience.
That personal connection is an important part of how I create portraits.
The more I understand about your family—your personalities, your relationships and the little dynamics that make you who you are—the better I can photograph you in a way that feels genuine.
By the time we reach the session, we aren’t meeting as strangers. You know what to expect, I know what matters to you and everyone can feel more comfortable. Knowing each other ahead of time makes the session easier and more enjoyable. Our first call is where that relationship begins. It’s simply a relaxed conversation that helps me learn about your family and what prompted you to reach out.
I may ask who you would like to include, what your family is like and what you would most like to remember about this time. If you are planning senior portraits, I’ll want to hear about your senior—not just what they look like, but who they are and what matters to them.
The first call is not the time when every detail has to be settled. It helps us get to know one another and decide whether working together feels like a good fit.
Family portrait at Stuart, Florida Beach, created by photographer Diane Dultmeier.
The planning comes later—and we do it together
If you decide to move forward, our in-person consultation is where ideas begin to take shape. I’ll help you choose a Stuart or Treasure Coast location that suits your family and the feeling you want your portraits to have. We’ll talk about clothing and how to coordinate everyone without looking overly matched.
I’ll also help you think through what products and sizes work best in your home. I can help you consider the room, the available wall space and the way you live. Together, we can explore whether one statement portrait, a grouping, a storytelling album or a folio box makes the most sense for you.
(And after your session you won’t be sent a gallery of hundreds of images, then left to figure it out alone. Helping you make those decisions is an important part of what I do.)
You may also be wondering how we are going to pull this off with your particular family. Young children may be energetic, teenagers may be reluctant and young adult children may have schedules and opinions of their own. When adult children have spouses and families of their own, there are even more personalities and moving parts to consider. Some family members will be excited, while others may need a little encouragement.
None of that surprises me. After more than 25 years of photographing families in the Stuart, Florida area, I know how to plan for those dynamics, keep everyone comfortable and create an experience that feels easy and enjoyable, resulting in portraits that authentically capture who you all are together and individually.
So, before we talk, you don’t need to have answers. That’s what our conversation—and the planning process that follows—is for. Just come ready to tell me a little about the people you love and why this feels like the right time.
Thinking About Family Portraits in Stuart, Florida?
If you are considering family or senior portraits in Stuart, Florida, or elsewhere along the Treasure Coast, we can begin with a relaxed conversation. You don’t need to know exactly what you want before reaching out.
Visit my Contact page to tell me a little about your family and begin the conversation.
This family portrait grouping is installed on the wall of a Sailfish Point home, in Stuart, Florida.
