Our Post-Session System: The Workflow That Keeps Us Thriving

 

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes after a session? From backing up files to delivering those dreamy final images, we have a system in place that keeps everything running smoothly (and keeps us sane!). Whether you’re a fellow photographer looking for workflow inspo or just curious about our process, here’s a peek into our post-session workflow!

 

 

1. Backup, Backup, Backup! 🔄

The second we finish a session, our number one priority is backing up the images ASAP. We’re obsessive about making sure no files get lost, so our system looks like this:

✔ Immediately upload images to dual SD cards during the session ✔ Transfer RAW files to an external hard drive as soon as we get home ✔ Upload to a cloud-based backup (because you can never have too many copies!) ✔ Keep original files on the SD cards until final delivery (just in case!)

This step gives us total peace of mind knowing our client’s memories are safe!

 

2. Cull & Organize Like a Pro 📂

Next up: sorting through all the images! We cull directly in Lightroom…shocking, we know! But for us, it’s the fastestway to sort through the images quickly and efficiently. We’ve found that Lightroom lets us make our selects in real time, keeping everything organized while saving us a ton of time. No blinking, no mid-sentence faces….just the goldenmoments flagged for keeping!

✔ Flag the must-edit images and mark absolute favorites with a 5 star ✔ Sync times in Lightroom

This process keeps us organized and helps us stay efficient when editing!

 

3. Editing Magic ✨

Once we’ve got our selects, it’s time for editing! Our editing workflow is all about consistency + efficiency so that every gallery is cohesive and reflects our signature style.

✔ Apply our magic go-to Lightroom preset ✔ Adjust lighting, colors & fine-tune each image ✔ Retouch any minor distractions or blemishes (but keep it natural!) ✔ Export final edits in high resolution

Editing is where the real magic happens! This is where we transform raw moments into dreamy, emotion-filled images that tell the full story. We love adding those final touches, making sure every image sparkles and feels *just right…like a little piece of art meant just for our clients!

 

4. Sneak Peeks Because We Can’t Wait! 👀

We know how excited our clients are to see their images, so we love sharing a sneak peek blog post!! It’s such a fun way to build anticipation and let them relive the magic ASAP.

✔ Select 40-100 standout images ✔ Use Storytailor to prep images for the blog, then share the blog link via social media ✔ Add the images to Facebook/Instagram the next day ✔ Tag & engage with clients so they can share too!

For us, it’s all about keeping the excitement alive long after the session ends! We love making sure our clients feel the magic every step of the way…from sneak peeks that build anticipation to the final gallery delivery that brings everything full circle. We want them to feel the same joy we felt capturing their moments!

 

5. Gallery Delivery & Client Experience 💌

Once the full gallery is edited, it’s time for delivery! We use CloudSpot to create a beautiful, easy-to-navigate online gallery where clients can download, share, and even order prints!

✔ Upload high-res images to CloudSpot ✔ Send out a personalized gallery email with a heartfelt note ✔ Final gallery delivered within 2 weeks…because fast + high quality is our thing!

We love delivering galleries through CloudSpot because it’s such a timeless and seamless way to share memories! Plus, we have a referral code that gives you 20% off when you sign up for CloudSpot! If you’ve been thinking about streamlining your gallery delivery, now’s the perfect time to try it out with a sweet discount!

 

6. The Marketing Stage: Social Media, Blogging & Vendor Love 📣

Marketing doesn’t stop when the gallery is delivered…this stage is all about getting our work seen! We’ve already shared sneak peek images, but now we’re making sure the session gets maximum exposure across all platforms.

✔ Share the blog with highlights from the session ✔ Share more images on Instagram & Facebook with thoughtful captions ✔ Tag vendors, clients & locations for engagement + visibility ✔ Pin images to Pinterest for long-term reach ✔ Create reels and behind-the-scenes content for Instagram & TikTok ✔ Share the gallery with appropriate vendors so they can feature the images too!

This step is huge for growing our business, building vendor relationships, and attracting future dream clients!

 

7. Ask for Reviews & Stay Connected 💕

We love hearing from our clients, so we always follow up with a review request to get feedback on their experience!

✔ Send a quick follow-up email thanking them again ✔ Include a direct link to leave a review ✔ Keep the connection going…engage on socials & celebrate their milestones!

This helps us build strong relationships and keeps our client experience top tier!

 

And that’s our post-session workflow! Having a repeatable, rock-solid system means we’re always staying on track, taking care of our business, and…most importantly…giving our clients an amazing experience every single time. It takes the guesswork out of the process, keeps things stress-free, and ensures nothing falls through the cracks! Sticking to a workflow we trust lets us spend more time doing what we love…capturing memories and creating magic!!

Got workflow questions? We love geeking out over business systems, so let’s chat! ✨