Welcome to 2026.
Last week, I sent out a poll to my newsletter subscribers asking what kind of content they wanted to hear this year. I gave these options: behind-the-scenes content, how clients display their images, styling tips, what to expect when working with me, the creative process, all of it.
The winner? “What to expect when working with me.”
And honestly, the timing couldn’t be better with the rebrand from Jennifer Horst Photography to Redhead Creative Media.
So this is Part 1 of 3, where I’ll walk you through everything that happens before your session takes place.
The Curiosity Call: Where Everything Begins
The curiosity call is exactly what it sounds like: a 1:1, virtual conversation driven by curiosity, not sales pressure.
This is our first conversation, typically 20-30 minutes, where we talk through:
- What you’re currently building (for brand clients) or what you want to document (for portrait clients)
- What matters most to you right now with your imagery
- Whether the experience you initially inquired about is actually the right fit, or if a different experience would serve you better
- How my process works from start to finish
- The investment and what’s included
The end result?
Clarity. You’ll know whether this work is right for you, and I’ll know whether I can serve your needs well.
This is a no-pressure approach.
I’m simply going to ask if you want to move forward.
If yes, we pick dates for your design consultation and session, and I send you the sales agreement.
If not, that’s okay too. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
The Design Consultation: Where Strategy Meets Story
Once you book, the design consultation happens within ten business days of signing your agreement.
(Important note: that’s ten business days of booking, not ten days before your session. This gives you plenty of time between the consultation and your actual session date to prepare, like shopping, personal care appointments, etc.)
This conversation takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how in-depth we get. You can come to my Chapel Hill studio in person, or we can meet virtually; most clients choose virtual for convenience.
For Brand Clients
During the design consultation, we dive deep into your visual strategy:
Your Business Identity
- Who you are in your business right now
- Where you’re headed in the next 6-12 months
- The authority you’re building
- Your Audience
- Who needs to see you
- What they need to see to trust you
- How your visual presence supports that connection
Brand Elements
- Your brand colors
- Your current visual presence (what’s working, what’s not)
- Your goals for the imagery
Platform Strategy
- How you’ll use imagery across different platforms (e.g. LinkedIn vs. Instagram vs. website needs)
- Speaking engagements and media kits
- Printed advertising, if applicable
Creative Direction
- Wardrobe strategy and what to bring
- How I pair wardrobe with backgrounds
- Lighting approaches
- The initial creative vision for your session
For Portrait Clients
The conversation shifts to meaning and legacy:
This Season of Your Life
- What this moment means to you
- What you’re celebrating or honoring
- What you want to remember
Emotional Alignment
- What you want to feel during the session
- What you want to feel when you see the images
- What you want to feel 5, 10, even 15 years from now
This emotional alignment is crucial. The images that resonate emotionally are the ones that become most meaningful over time.
Display Vision
- How you envision using the imagery
- Wall art vs. albums vs. reveal boxes
- Where they’ll live in your home
I have beautiful heirloom-quality options for printed artwork crafted in Italy, and we’ll talk through what fits your vision.
Heirloom Elements
- Accessories with meaning (jewelry, watches, scarves)
- Props that tell your story
- Ways to add layers of depth to your imagery
Between Consultation and Session: The Mood Board
After the design consultation and before your session day, I’ll send you a customized mood board.
The purpose? To strengthen our alignment on what your session will actually look like.
The mood board includes:
- Example poses
- Lighting references
- Background options
- Overall aesthetic direction
All based on the conversation we had during your design consultation.
This visual roadmap ensures we’re completely aligned before you arrive at the studio. It helps you prepare mentally and practically, and it means your session runs smoothly from start to finish.
You’ll have nothing to worry about.
What’s Next
That’s what happens before you arrive at the studio: the curiosity call, the design consultation, and the mood board that ties it all together.
In Part 2, I’ll walk you through what the session day actually looks like, and in Part 3, what happens afterward, from the immediate reveal to final delivery.
Have questions about anything we covered today?
Whether you’re curious about the process, considering booking, or just want clarification on something, email me at info@redheadcreativemedia.com. I read every response.
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