Sally Mcgill Sally Mcgill

CONSULTATION SESSIONS. ARE THEY NECESSARY?

What is the relevance of a Consultation Session and do you need to have one?

Consultation sessions are completely free of charge and can take place before any bookings are made.  These are an informal chat and take place here in my studio based in Swindon, Wiltshire.  The studio is a beautiful and relaxed log cabin in my garden used solely for photography.  Sessions are all booked via appointment so you can rest assured there will be no interruptions at any time.

Putting myself into the shoes of my Clients looking to book a Photographer for my own family introduced me to a whole whirlwind of questions and anxieties, leading me to feel immense pressure on myself. “What if I felt uncomfortable in the studio or felt I was being judged of my size?” “What do we wear or how do we sit/stand?” The questions I asked myself were endless. Understanding the anxieties of booking the right Photographer to capture a significant event or milestone, whether it be for Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash or a Family portrait session, the decision to book the right photographer is a crucial one, and furthermore, there can also be fear of making the wrong choice and with the inability to rewind time, this is something we want to avoid.

I recognise and empathize any concerns you may have, especially as us ladies (and some gents too) tend to be so hard on ourselves and I for one, always tried to avoid the camera wherever possible because of my own insecurities and have been dealt with a rather large helping of lacking in self confidence, so I for one, 110% understand how this feels.

Booking a Consultation session can help to eliminate these concerns. I approach client interaction with a full understanding of any anxieties you may be experiencing and I will do my best to alleviate these worries by offering clear communication and a genuine commitment to delivering a memorable experience. My goal is not just to capture beautiful timeless images but also a stress free experience,  building a trust and work collaboratively with you to ensure your session is tailored to your expectations.

If your session is for Maternity, I aim to help you find the perfect gown for your photoshoot. My client wardrobe has a selection of gowns in various styles, colors, and sizes. When you come in, we can look through the selection and guide you through the wardrobe and help you pick out gowns that match your vision. I want you to feel like a superstar during your shoot, so feel free to try on as many gowns as you like until you find the one that makes you feel absolutely amazing. If I don’t have the exact gown you are looking for, I do offer the option for you to purchase the gown of your dreams on a trade in basis where you can trade in your gown in return for a discount on your images. Terms and conditions do apply on Gowns I feel may benefit my Client wardrobe for future sessions. Not all Gowns will qualify so please ensure you check with me first! I can't wait to see you rock the perfect gown during your photoshoot!

If your session is for Newborn, firstly, congratulations on your upcoming addition to the family! This undoubtedly will trigger lots of concerns - as I understand the importance of choosing the right Newborn Photographer. As you will see during your visit, I pride myself on creating a safe and comfortable environment for your precious little one. Safety is always my top priority and I have completed a Newborn Photography Safety Assessment to give you peace of mind your tiny new baby is in safe hands. You will be able to view the background colour options and outfits available so we can ensure the style that resonates with you. Whether you prefer timeless and classic imagery or a more contemporary approach, together we will tailor your session to reflect your vision.

What is the relevance of a Consultation Session and do you need to have one?

Consultation sessions are completely free of charge and can take place before any bookings are made.  These are an informal chat and take place here in my studio based in Swindon, Wiltshire.  The studio is a beautiful and relaxed log cabin in my garden used solely for photography.  Sessions are all booked via appointment so you can rest assured there will be no interruptions at any time.

Putting myself into the shoes of my Clients looking to book a Photographer for my own family introduced me to a whole whirlwind of questions and anxieties, leading me to feel immense pressure on myself. “What if I felt uncomfortable in the studio or felt I was being judged of my size?” “What do we wear or how do we sit/stand?” The questions I asked myself were endless, so no doubt you feel exactly the same. Understanding the anxieties of booking the right Photographer to capture a significant event or milestone, whether it be for Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash or a Family portrait session, the decision to book the right photographer is a crucial one, and furthermore, there can also be fear of making the wrong choice and with the inability to rewind time, this is something we want to avoid.

I recognise and empathize any concerns you may have, especially as us ladies (and some gents too) tend to be so hard on ourselves and I for one, always tried to avoid the camera wherever possible because of my own insecurities and have been dealt with a rather large helping of lacking in self confidence, so I for one, 110% understand how this feels.

Booking a Consultation session can help to eliminate these concerns. I approach client interaction with a full understanding of any anxieties you may be experiencing and I will do my best to alleviate these worries by offering clear communication and a genuine commitment to delivering a memorable experience. My goal is not just to capture beautiful timeless images but also a stress free experience,  building a trust and work collaboratively with you to ensure your session is tailored to your expectations.

If your session is for Maternity, I aim to help you find the perfect gown for your photoshoot. My client wardrobe has a selection of gowns in various styles, colors, and sizes. When you come in, we can look through the selection together and I will guide you through the wardrobe and help you pick out gowns that match your vision. I want you to feel like a superstar during your shoot, so feel free to try on as many gowns as you like until you find the one that makes you feel absolutely amazing. If I don’t have the exact gown you are looking for, I do offer an option for you to purchase the gown of your dreams on a trade in basis where you can trade in your gown in return for a discount on your images. Terms and conditions do apply on Gowns I feel may benefit my Client wardrobe for future sessions. Not all Gowns will qualify so please ensure you check with me first! I can't wait to see you rock the perfect gown during your photoshoot!

If your session is for Newborn, firstly, congratulations on your upcoming addition to the family! This undoubtedly will trigger lots of concerns - as I understand the importance of choosing the right Newborn Photographer for you. As you will see during your visit, I pride myself on creating a safe and comfortable environment for your precious little one. Safety is always my top priority and I have completed a Newborn Photography Safety Assessment to give you peace of mind that your tiny new baby is in safe hands. You will be able to view the background colour options and outfits available so we can ensure the style that resonates with you. Whether you prefer timeless and classic imagery or a more contemporary approach, together we will tailor your session to reflect your vision.


Clothing, color choices, and posing play a crucial role in enhancing the impact of your photos. Whether it's a Family Portrait, or individual shoot, I will help to guide and support you throughout the process.
Colors: The colors you choose speak volumes about your personality and style. If you decide to go ahead with a booking with myself, I will help you pick shades that complement your complexion and bring out your best features, creating a cohesive and engaging color palette for your gallery.
Outfits: Your attire sets the tone for your shoot, I can assist you in selecting the perfect outfit that matches the theme while reflecting your personal taste and style, be it casual or formal.
By enhancing your look through colors, outfits, and posing, my goal is to create images that not only look stunning but also reflects your authentic self so by collaborating together, we can bring your vision to life.

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