How Many Photos Will You Really Get? Explaining Your Portrait Package Options from a Saint Joseph Mo Photographer
You’ve booked the session, planned the outfits, survived the family chaos (high five!), and now you’re just waiting to see your photos. Naturally, the big question pops up: How many pictures will I actually get?
I hear this all the time. Some clients expect only a handful of usable shots. Others assume they’ll get hundreds. And honestly? I don’t blame anyone for being unsure. Every photographer does things a little differently. So let’s talk about how it works around here at photoalli, and what you can expect after our session together.
What If There Aren’t “Enough” Good Photos?
Real talk? Almost every client I work with initially worries that there won’t be many “good ones” to choose from. You’re not alone if you’ve thought that!
But here's the thing. I always go above and beyond. At a minimum, you’ll have over 50 images in your viewing gallery - often closer to 100, especially for family sessions or anything involving more than one setup or location. That’s a lot of smiles, giggles, and sweet moments to look through.
From there, you decide what collection feels right for you:
10
25
Or go all in and get the entire gallery!
You only pay for what you want and those are the images I fully edit so you get to choose based on what you want to print, keep, and display in your home. I’ll help guide you through it from start to finish without any pressure.
It's Not About Having All The Photos
Let’s be honest. You're not looking for 300 pictures for your Facebook album. Sure, it's fun to scroll through them, but what ends up mattering most are the images you want printed, framed, or put in an heirloom-quality album that your grandkids might flip through someday.
My goal is to deliver images that show off you. That means:
Natural expressions
Personal connections
Little pops of emotion
A mix of classic portraits and the dreamy storytelling stuff
I go through every single image from your shoot. Anything out of focus or awkwardly timed? Gone. What’s left are the ones that best tell your story... without weird blinks or someone yelling “MOMMMM!”
What Actually Makes the Cut?
Let’s break this down so you know exactly what I’m about when culling and delivering a gallery.
1. Quality Over Overwhelm
I’m firmly team "quality over quantity." You don’t want 20 of the same pose and smile. Instead:
I make sure every photo is sharp and intentional
I keep variety: joyful candids, snuggly moments, and polished group shots
Duplicates that feel nearly the same are trimmed out so you don’t feel overwhelmed
2. Real Life = Real Expression
Photos that feel like you are the ones that stay. Whether it’s your kid belly-laughing or Grandma sneaking a squeeze, those genuine moments make the cut. I keep images that show:
Personality and playfulness
Emotional connection
Comfort in front of the camera (even if it didn’t fully feel like that in the moment!)
3. Your Pick = Your Package
Once your gallery is ready, you pick the photo package that fits you best. It’s kind of like a “choose-your-own-adventure” deal. I'm not locking you into more or less than what you actually want.
Some families go for the 10-image edit, especially if they have one goal like budget or just an updated photo for like Christmas cards or a gallery wall. Others say, “We love them all!” and snag the whole shebang. Either way? You’re in control.
Why This Matters
Look, I know you don’t book a photographer just for the sake of taking photos. You book because you want to remember this season in your family's life. Whether it's a growing baby bump, moody teens, new parents figuring it out, or Grandma snuggling the babies… these are the moments you’ll want to come back to, year after year.
But here’s my best advice (after years of doing this): Choose the images you’re actually going to print.
Not for your phone wallpaper. Not for social media. For your walls, your albums, your real life.
Here's What Happens Next
If you’ve already booked your session, yay! Can't wait. You’ll hear from me soon after our shoot with your gallery ready, and I’ll help you pick your perfect photo package.
If you’re still figuring out which session type or location is right for you, head over to www.photo-alli.com to check out the options. And if you're someone who wants allll the images (hey, I get it), we can plan for that too.
Your best expressions? They're not hiding. I just help bring them to the surface.
Let’s make some art you actually want to frame.
I’ll bring the camera. You bring the real-life magic.
