Inside the studio: a behind-the-scenes look at our photography processs
Curious about what happens during a session at Droke Photography? Here's a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of our process, from the moment you book to the moment you receive your final images.
Before the session
BEFORE the session we will have a discovery call to answer any questions and learn more about you, your needs, and vision - what the photos are for, your industry or creative focus, and any specific looks you have in mind. Are you thinking of something traditional, more dramatic, or more commercial? That helps us build a quote customized for your project.
You’re booked - so now what? The more we plan ahead of time, the smoother the shoot will go. So having a specific idea of what you need before you come in will help us get the most out of our time together. This lets us prep lighting setups, backgrounds, and possibly a shot list in advance, so we're not figuring things out on the fly during your time in studio.
In the studio
When you arrive at our Corona studio, camera ready, we start by making you comfortable with some cold water or beverage, and music in the background too your tastes. Then we have a quick conversation - going over wardrobe options, talking through the goals for the session, and answering any last questions. This is also when most nerves settle; once clients realize how collaborative the process is, the tension melts away.
Our home studio is set up with professional lighting equipment, multiple background options, and a comfortable space designed to feel more like a creative collaboration than a clinical photo shoot. We typically work through a variety of wardrobe changes and setups during a session, giving direction throughout. With attention to posture, expression, subtle movement - you always know what to do, even if you've never been photographed professionally before.
Reviewing in real time
Throughout the session, we shoot tethered to a laptop. This allows us to show you photos on a large studio monitor as we shoot them. You can see how things are looking and adjust together as needed - more energy here, less there, maybe try a different angle. We will guide and coach you with different poses and expressions. Nothing is a surprise by the time we wrap up.
We will sometimes shoot in bursts rather than single frames, capturing the small variations in expression and energy that lead to standout images. Most business headshot sessions run 45 minutes to an hour, while an actor’s session can last several hours, depending on how many looks we're capturing.
Post-production
After your session, and if time allows, we cull through every frame - narrowing them down to select the strongest images. If you prefer, we can also export all the images to a proofing gallery that you can view to choose your favorites. Once those are selected, we then move into the editing process and workflow: color correction, lighting balance, and tasteful retouching that keeps you looking like yourself. We deliver a curated gallery of the finished images through ShootProof, where you can view, download, and even order prints if you'd like.
What makes our process different
We believe the best images come from a relaxed, well-directed session - not a rushed, transactional one. That's why we build in real conversation, real direction, and real time previews to get it right, rather than rushing through a checklist.
If you've never had a professional session before, we hope this gives you a clearer picture of what to expect when you walk through our doors. We want to be your biggest fan!
