The Process
the ideal collaborator
Alignment of Values, Trust, and Creative Energy
Social
Compatibility
With the ideal collaborator, a strong sense of rapport is essential. A trusting, harmonious relationship, both between you and your partner and between you and me, shapes every part of the creation of your gallery.
Artistic
Compatibility
The ideal collaborator possesses aesthetic clarity, refined taste, and a strong sense of style, deriving inspiration not from fleeting trends, but visually compelling artistry and storytelling.
Logistical
Compatibility
The ideal collaborator understands that both fine-tuned details and a flexible mentality elevate the experience and final product. Trust, respect, and adaptability through all aspects of planning are essential to ensuring a high quality result.
The Discovery Call
Defining the Direction
After reviewing your contact form, I’ll assess our potential as collaborators. If your project feels like it might be a good fit, I’ll extend an invitation to a discovery call: a virtual meeting to finalize if we’re the right fit to bring your vision to life.
My best work is reliant on our preferences and personalities aligning, so this is one of the most important parts of the process as it is our deepest opportunity to honestly approach how we would work together.
PREVIEWING YOUR EXPERIENCE
THE PROPOSAL
This personalized investment guide serves as a blueprint for your gallery, helping you visualize not just the investment but the artistry and experience behind it.
Tailored to your needs, proposals may include sample timelines, vendor recommendations, full-length galleries, an art direction, design advice, color schemes, wardrobe guidance, and more. In the end, you’ll have a clear, comprehensive roadmap showing how I plan to bring your vision to life, empowering you to make a fully informed decision regarding your investment with me.
Susanna & Kyle
"I heard from numerous people they either regretted not properly investing in the right photographer or were so grateful that they did invest in their photographer -- well, The Wheeler Photo is THE ONE to invest in for your photography needs."
THE INVESTMENT
YOUR commitment IS SIGNIFICANT.
You deserve to be fully aware of the value behind your investment. Rather than a standard “one-size-fits-all” investment guide, I provide a custom proposal that details exactly what’s needed to bring your vision to life with me. Additionally, my base packages and starting prices are provided on the Investment Page along with common FAQs pertaining to each project type.
The Agreement
Frequently Asked Questions
Was your contract written with a lawyer?
Yes. All of my contracts were written and revised under the advisory of a contract lawyer, ensuring your investment and my services are legally protected and secure.
What do you require to secure a date in your calendar?
A 30% non-refundable retainer is required up front in addition to a signed contract. Once I receive both of those documents, your date and/or time is reserved and held for your session exclusively.
Do you offer contract review meetings?
Yes. If you have questions or concerns regarding any portion of the photography agreement, I will gladly set up a zoom call to review the contract and invoice live with you. Transparency and clarity are extremely important to ensuring an amicable working relationship, so I'm eager to answer any photography policy questions you may have before you fully commit.
How long is the process from inquiry to booking?
Custom proposals take me approximately one business week to complete. Once you've received a proposal from me, you have an additional week to review the proposal in full and notify me of your decision. After you've made a decision, I send the photography agreement, which you also have a week to complete. All-in-all, the booking process takes about 3 full weeks from the time of our "If" call to booking. This gives you plenty of time to do your due diligence and consider your options fully. I am not interested in fear mongering you into making a hasty decision with your investment, so I allow ample time to make a choice you feel confident and excited about.
Do you hold dates without a signed contract & retainer?
No date is officially reserved until I receive your retainer and signed contract. That said, if I were to receive significant interest for the same date during your inquiry process, you would be notified and clear expectations of next steps would be presented.
Entering The Archives goes beyond viewing past work: it's unveiling the experiences, vision, planning, and collaboration required into bring my client's stories to life and preserve them in the style we determined. You'll see references from past art directions, perspective on how my favorite galleries were created, and insights into the type of projects that fill my creative spirit.
This is the moment to peer behind the curtain, get a glimpse of the artistry, and determine if you you're ready to join The Archives yourself.
