You wrangled the kids, picked outfits, packed snacks, and made it through your family photos (which, let’s be honest, is a monumental achievement on its own). Now comes the question every parent asks the second we wrap: what’s next after your family photoshoot?
Let’s walk through what happens on my side of the camera once we hug goodbye and why your final gallery takes time, care, and quite a bit of love to deliver.
Editing Isn’t Instant, And That’s A Good Thing
We live in a world where you can order groceries in minutes, stream any movie immediately, and get same-day delivery on everything from socks to soup. Photography doesn’t work like that — at least not the kind I pour myself into.
Most of your session is candid, connection-driven storytelling — kids being kids, families moving together, real life unfolding. But I also make sure you walk away with a handful of traditional “everyone looking at me” images too. When toddlers are squirming, babies are melting down, or siblings go temporarily feral (we’ve all been there), those photos sometimes require magic behind the scenes.
A single “formal” shot with three smiling kids may take:
- head swaps
- eye fixes
- face replacements
- removing hair ties on wrists
- erasing snacks clutched in tiny fists
- merging multiple frames so every face looks happy
That work can take 30–45 minutes per photo. Sometimes more.
And that’s before I get to the rest of your gallery.
Cleaning Up The Things You Never Saw
Part of my job is editing out distractions you’d never think twice about in real life:
- trash cans
- exit signs
- strangers in the background
- neon playground equipment
- random bright specks the camera picks up
None of those belong in the emotional core of your images. Removing them takes patience and a steady hand. It’s quiet and tedious work, but it matters.
That’s why galleries aren’t turned around overnight.
You’re not receiving 900 photos straight out of the camera.
You’re receiving curated memories that look the way they felt.
Timelines & Real Life
The average turnaround for family galleries is 4–6 weeks.
That’s my sweet spot! It’s enough space for thoughtful editing, quality control, and making sure every image is something you’ll want forever.
And because we’re being honest here:
I also have my own family, my own tiny humans, my own schedule full of dinners, practices, bedtimes, and moments I don’t want to miss.
I won’t rush your photos just to say I was fast — especially if it means cutting corners.
What I can promise without hesitation is this:
you will absolutely receive a full, complete gallery, always.
Why Printing Matters More Than You Think
Once your gallery lands in your inbox, the real magic happens — printing.
Because here’s the truth:
Photos are meant to live on walls, in frames, in albums sticky with fingerprints — not die on a phone screen.
Through your Pic-Time gallery:
- You’ll have access to high-quality print labs
- Custom frames
- Heirloom albums
- Gifts for grandparents
- Artwork built to last decades
And when you order through your gallery, you support not just my art — but the actual human behind this business.
If prints aren’t in the budget right now (totally understandable!), here are a few pro labs that regularly offer sales and still deliver great quality:
Please try to skip the drugstore and big-box kiosks. They undo all the work you invested in.
Let’s Wrap It Up
So what’s next after your family photo shoot?
A whole lot, but it’s all happening behind the scenes while you go live your life. My goal is to honor your season, your family, and your story with care, intention, and editing that stands the test of time.
Trust the process, enjoy the quiet pause between shoot and delivery, and know that your memories are in good hands being polished into keepsakes you’ll hold onto for years.
And when that final gallery finally hits your inbox? Make the prints. Hang the frames. Fill the album. You deserve to see yourselves on your walls and your kids deserve to grow up surrounded by proof that this season mattered.
