What to Expect When Expecting… a Gallery
What Happens After my THN Photo Session
Getting ready for a photo session is a little like preparing for the arrival of a tiny human, minus the stretch marks and midnight cravings. From choosing the photographer, deciding which session fits best, to debating whether your smile looks more radiant in jeans or a dress, the lead up is equal parts excitement, anticipation, and a just right hint of hysteria. You showed up. Your people were delightfully themselves. Together we made something worth keeping.
Now we are in the in between. I call it gallery gestation. That fluttery stretch between your session and the moment your photos arrive, full of quiet kicks and cravings for the good stuff. While your gallery grows up and gets ready to meet you, here is what happens next and how to make the most of it.
Step One. Safe and Sound
Your images are tucked in with care and backed up on backups. The almosts are set aside so the story can breathe. The frames with feeling stay. Each chosen image is edited with intention so color, light, and mood feel true to you. Your finished gallery is delivered within thirty days. Never more. If it is ready sooner, it arrives sooner. If something unexpected pops up, I will tell you so you are never left wondering.
Step Two. Sneak Peeks
Sneak peeks are a treat, not a promise. I try when time allows. If you see a photo pop up on Instagram, that is your sign I am actively working and your gallery is headed home soon.
Step Three. Your PicTime Delivery Email and First Look
When your gallery is ready, you receive a private PicTime link by email. Your link stays active for one full year. If it ever goes missing, reach out and I will resend it. For extra peace of mind, I keep client work archived for years.
Make your first look a moment. Pour something you enjoy. Put your phone on do not disturb. Open the link on a bigger screen if you can. Let the slideshow play from start to finish and let your story land. Invite your kids to watch with you and ask which images feel most like your family. Later, come back for a quiet second pass and choose what you want to download and print big.
Step Four. Proofing and Upgrades
Your gallery is a proofing gallery. You will see a large set of images to choose from. Tap the heart to favorite what you love. Use hide if you want a little breathing room while you decide. The viewing link is shareable, so send it to your significant other, your best friend, and your mom so they can cheer along. Only you can download unless you choose the all images upgrade. If you upgrade to all images, anyone with the link can download.
Download your included set, or upgrade to all images for two hundred twenty five. If you selected the upgrade when you booked, you received a twenty five discount. There is also a standing special. Book any three sessions in a year and you are upgraded to all images for that year.
Step Five. Downloading and Backing Up
When you are ready, download your selections. PicTime supports saving the full gallery or just a selection. On desktop you can save to your computer or send directly to cloud services like Google Photos and Dropbox. On an iPhone or iPad, your download will appear in the Files app rather than the Photos app. Please download soon and save your images in at least two places. A cloud service paired with an external drive is a great combo. Future you will be very proud of present you.
Step Six. Printing That Looks As Good As It Felt
Photographs are meant to live in your hands and on your walls. Your gallery includes a built in print shop that connects to professional labs, which means the colors stay true and skin tones stay soft. Professional photos deserve professional printers. Drugstores, big box kiosks, and bargain sites like Snapfish are built for quick cell phone snaps and cannot reproduce the nuance of a professionally edited file.
If you prefer to order outside the gallery, Mpix is a favorite for prints and albums with quick turnarounds and frequent sales, and Smallwoods is wonderful for framed canvas and larger statement pieces that make perfect gifts. Choose what fits your home and timeline. If you want the easy button and the most accurate color, order through the gallery.
Step Seven. Share, Tag, and Review
This part makes my heart burst. When you share your images, you help me keep doing the work I love. Please tag theheartnarrative and credit Lauren Lewis, The Heart Narrative. If tagging will not pull up, adding my website works beautifully. Your tag and kind words are how the right families find a photographer who feels like them, and I will be cheering every time your photos appear in the wild.
If your photos made you feel something, a few honest lines mean more than you know. Reviews help families choose with confidence and they truly sustain small businesses like mine. You can read more and leave a note through my post called The Power of Your Feedback. Thank you for taking the time. It matters.
A Note From Me To You
You did the brave thing. You showed up for your story. Now let the slideshow roll, let the laughter rise in your living room, let your people point to the frames that feel most like them. Choose your favorites, download with confidence, print what you want to see every single day, and share the joy with the folks who love you best. If anything is confusing or a link goes missing, text me and I will get you taken care of quickly. I am so glad you are here, and I cannot wait to see where your photos live next.
