What Happens After Your Session: Gallery, Prints & What to Do With Your Photos
A step-by-step look at what comes after the photos are taken — from delivery to your walls
📍 Written for families and newborn clients served by Sheena Magnesen Photography in Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Wheaton, and the southwest Chicago suburbs.
After your family or newborn session with Sheena Magnesen Photography, your fully edited gallery is delivered within three to four weeks via a private online link. Every session includes 40+ high-resolution images and a complimentary print credit. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect from the moment we say goodbye after your session to the moment your photos are hanging on your wall.
There's a moment that happens at the end of every session I photograph. The kids are tired in the best possible way. The parents are finally exhaling. And I'm already knowing — even as I pack up my camera — which frames are going to make them cry the good kind of tears.
But then the question I get most often comes up: "So what happens now?"
It's a fair question — and one that most photographers don't answer clearly enough. So here's exactly what to expect after your session with me, from the car ride home to the moment your photos are hanging on your walls.
Step 1: You Leave, I Get to Work
After every session, I go home and immediately back up every image I captured. Your photos are safe the moment the session ends — I never rely on a single card or drive.
Within the first few days, I do what's called a cull — I go through every frame and select the best ones. Not just technically sharp, but the ones that tell your family's story. The real laugh. The quiet moment. The one where nobody was looking at the camera and everything was perfect anyway.
Those are the images that make it into your gallery.
Step 2: Editing — Making Your Photos Look Like YOU
My editing style is warm, natural, and timeless. I'm not adding heavy filters or trendy effects that will look dated in five years. I want your photos to look like you — in the most beautiful version of your real life.
I edit in Lightroom with consistent settings I've developed and refined over 15+ years. Every image is individually adjusted for light, color, and tone. No cookie-cutter, batch-processed gallery — every photo gets my full attention.
The goal of my editing is simple: I want you to look at these photos ten years from now and feel like you're right back in that moment.
Step 3: Your Private Gallery Arrives — Within 3-4 Weeks
When your gallery is ready, you'll receive an email with a private link. This is your own personal gallery — password protected, beautifully displayed, and easy to share with family members who were there or the grandparents who weren't.
Your gallery includes:
40+ fully edited, high-resolution digital images
Download access for all images at full resolution
An integrated print shop so you can order directly from your gallery
Your complimentary print credit, applied at checkout
Your gallery stays active for 90 days from delivery. I strongly encourage you to download all your images before the expiration date — and I'll send you a reminder before it closes.
You can always head over to the investment page for more info.
Step 4: Your Complimentary Print Credit — What It Is and How to Use It
Every session I offer includes a complimentary print credit. This is real money toward real prints — not a coupon, not a discount off a minimum order. It's a thank-you for trusting me with your family's story, and it's my gentle nudge to get at least one of these images off your phone and onto your walls.
Your print credit can be used toward:
Individual prints in a range of sizes
Gallery-wrapped canvas prints
Fine art albums
Holiday cards
I order through professional print labs — not a big box store or consumer photo site. The quality is noticeably different, and your prints will last.
Step 5: What to Actually DO With Your Photos
Here's where most families get stuck. The gallery arrives, they say "Oh my gosh these are beautiful" — and then the photos live on a phone or computer for the next three years.
Please don't let that happen to yours. Here are my favorite ways families use their images:
Holiday Cards — The Most Common (and Most Worth It)
If you book a summer session and receive your gallery in August or September, you have everything you need for holiday cards with zero October/November scramble. This alone is worth planning ahead. My clients who do this tell me every year that it's their favorite part of the whole experience.
A Gallery Wall
Pick your three to five favorite images — ideally a mix of close-up details and full-family shots — and create a gallery wall in your living room, hallway, or entryway. This doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. A few frames from a good frame shop, a level and some patience is all it takes. Your home deserves these photos on the walls.
Gifts for Grandparents
An 8x10 or 11x14 framed print of the grandkids is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. Every grandparent I've ever spoken to has told me it's their most treasured possession. Use your print credit here — and then order a second one for yourself! (Especially for newborn sessions!)
A Fine Art Album
A properly designed photo album is a family heirloom. Something your kids will open someday and show their own children. I offer beautifully designed albums through my print lab — if this is something you're interested in, mention it when you reach out and I'll tell you more.
Every image I deliver is worth printing. They're not social media content. They're your family's history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the editing process take?
Most galleries are delivered within 3–4 weeks of your session date. During my busiest seasons (late spring and fall), it can occasionally extend to 5 weeks. I will always communicate your expected delivery date before or right after your session. Booking earlier in the summer vs. the fall gets you your images quicker and beats the rush. More info on that here!
What format are the digital files delivered in?
All images are delivered as high-resolution JPEGs, sized for both large printing and digital use. They are fully yours to download, share, and print.
Can I share my gallery with family members?
Absolutely. Your gallery link is shareable — you can send it to grandparents, aunts and uncles, or anyone else you'd like to have access. If you'd like to set up a family download access, just let me know and I can walk you through that option.
What if I need my gallery extended past 90 days?
Just reach out and I'll take care of it. Life happens — I understand. There may be a small archiving fee for extensions beyond 90 days, but I'll always work with you.
Do you offer payment plans for print products?
Yes — reach out directly and we can work something out. I want these images in your home, not sitting in a digital folder.
Ready to Book Your Session?
If you're ready to start the process — or if you're still deciding — I'd love to hear from you. Whether it's a summer family session, an in-home newborn lifestyle session or a milestone celebration, every package includes your gallery, your complimentary print credit, and my full heart.
Tap the button below to check my availability and grab your date. Summer spots are filling in — and I'd love to save one for your family.
Book Your Session Here
Serving Naperville, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lisle, Oswego, and surrounding suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
