Focus on Success: Must-Do Tips from Cheyenne
Session
“I’ve been a superfan of Session since they came out. It’s the perfect solution. It literally changed my life!” — Cheyenne
Cheyenne has been a superfan of Session since day one, and it’s no surprise—it completely transformed how she manages her photography business. With a smooth system in place, Cheyenne unlocks the kind of workflow magic that lets her focus on what really matters: capturing incredible moments.
Here are her top tips for photographers looking to step up their game…
Marketing: Show It to Sell It
For Cheyenne, booking out sessions comes down to one thing: transparency. Clients want a clear picture of what they’re signing up for—the vibe, the location, and the final result. When they can visualize the experience, they’re more likely to book confidently, knowing they’ll get exactly what they’re expecting.
Showcase your process—what the shoot looks like, where it’s happening, and how seamless it all is. When you set clear expectations, you’re way more likely to attract the right people (who’ll be thrilled with the results).
Reminder: Show off your work. Pulling from Pinterest for those “mood” or “inspo” boards? Not it. Cheyenne’s hot take: Photographers should never use work that isn’t theirs for marketing. Keep it authentic, keep it yours—always.
"Busy season is when the work pays off, but the real prep happens all year. Build your email list, stay ready, and watch your sessions fill up fast." — Cheyenne
Selling: Build That Hype
Let’s talk sales strategy, because it’s not just about throwing up a post and hoping for the best. If you’re not building an email list, start NOW. Social media? Sure, it’s fun, but only about 4% of your audience actually sees your posts. You need a more direct line to your fans.
Email lists = gold. 📧 Cheyenne, for example, sells out her minis super fast because she’s been nurturing her list all year. It’s a slow build, but by fall, she’s got a crowd ready to hit “book” the second her minis drop.
Her secret sauce? Urgency and scarcity. By offering a limited number of mini sessions, she creates that “must book now” energy, often selling out in just 10 minutes.
"The competition that Session helps create for mini session spots is pure genius!" — Cheyenne
Gear: Keep It Simple
When it comes to gear, Cheyenne keeps things minimal—especially for mini sessions. She sticks with one camera body and one lens to avoid the hassle of switching mid-session. Her go-to is a 50mm 1.4 prime lens, offering a balance between affordability and high-quality results. Backup gear is a must, too—extra batteries, memory cards, and a second camera body are essential to avoid any last-minute disasters.
Pro setup:
- 1 primary camera
- 1 primary lens
- 1 backup camera body (she prefers using her ‘older’ bodies as her primary—gotta love that color!)
- 1 backup lens
- Extra batteries and memory cards (don’t get caught with dead gear!)
Planning: Client Experience Is Everything
Cheyenne’s streamlined client experience starts long before the session. From booking confirmation to session reminders, you’ve got to over-communicate. Make sure clients know everything from arrival times to packing list, weather, parking instructions, and what happens if they’re late (yep, no refunds!). This ensures that her clients know exactly what to expect and what to bring. Cheyenne over-emphasizes the importance of being 15 minutes early to every shoot, managing expectations from the start.
On the day of the shoot, Cheyenne always has a cheat sheet with names, ages, and session details. Knowing her clients’ names right away helps her build trust and rapport quickly—crucial when time is tight during mini sessions. With Session, it’s even easier. Using the Session mobile app, Cheyenne can quickly access key details like client names, contact numbers, and session specifics on the go. No need to dig through emails or spreadsheets.
Her posing strategy? Have a flow. She tailors her poses based on the ages of the kids or the family dynamic but follows a general framework that keeps the session moving efficiently and fun for everyone.
Pro tip: The more dynamic and varied the poses, the easier the upsell. Clients will opt for the full gallery upgrade when they simply want every last one!
“You want it to be like clockwork if you wanna do minis!” - Cheyenne
Post: Speed and Systems
Speedy turnaround = happy clients. Cheyenne promises her clients a two-week turnaround but often delivers even faster. Her post-processing system is efficient and well-organized. She uses Photo Mechanic for culling, which she found is much faster than Lightroom, and then batch edits in Lightroom using a preset for consistency across images. She’ll then tinker with the final images, but a present works wonders for minis, which are at the same location with the same light.
Don’t forget to personalize those delivery emails! A simple touch like mentioning their kids by name or a fun shared moment from the shoot makes a huge difference.
Bottom line: Cheyenne’s approach is all about building a solid workflow, creating authentic work, and providing an exceptional client experience. And with Session as her go-to platform, she seamlessly manages everything from booking and payments to contracts and communication. For Cheyenne, Session is more than a tool—it’s a sidekick. We’re here for it.
Want more Cheyenne, check out her MINI SESSION PLANNER (the must do’s for minis).
