GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR photo session

Don’t worry! We we be planning this together. The very FIRST thing I need for you to do, is start brainstorming about what your family dynamic is like and fill out the questionnaire! This will give me an idea of how to guide our session together. Please let me know, when filling it out, where you plan on putting the photos we take during your session. Will some go on your wall? Do you like books and albums (a lifestyle session favorite since we get so many out takes and detail shots). Do you have certain shots you MUST have? Are there rooms in your home that you love that you want to take photos in? Rooms you could do without in photos? Put it ALL on there. I want to make sure we shoot for you.

How to Prepare for your Photoshoot

All I need for you to do is start thinking about outfits and what “clutter” you would like to keep out or what you would like to clean up. If we talked about needing any items during your sessions that are important to your family, have those out and ready before I arrive. Any outfit changes, have out as well. Know that I will take over once I arrive so there is no need to be nervous about the flow of the session! Plan on having lots of fun and being flexible. We all know that kids will be kids and we sometimes just have to go with the flow!

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Your Home

Many clients worry about not having the “magazine” home. Or a home with enough light. Rest assured the majority of the sessions you see in my portfolio were “typical” homes, not ones off of Pinterest. It’s my job to take a window and make magic with your family. If we need to, we will move furniture, go into areas you may not think are ideal, but very well may be! Also keep in mind, that many of the photos of your family I will be taking are of you interacting. What is in the background does not matter. We do not have to use rooms you don’t like of course and we will plan which rooms in your home will work best for what we are going for! If you do have a home with fun elements, we will of course use them!

What to Wear to your Photoshoot

Clothing is always what makes parents the most nervous to plan. Just know that as long as your family is being themselves that is what is the most important. A few general rules of thumb.

  • Don’t match! No one matches in real life, so don’t start on picture day!

  • Minimal outfit changes for kids. They don’t like it, so try to keep it to 1 change, if any.

  • Wear something you can move in without worrying about it.

FOR THE KIDS

Dressing up the kids is SO much fun. However, do they always like to get SUPER dressed up? If so, go for it! If not, let’s stick with what they typically wear, but a “clean version of it”. Have a t-shirt kid? Find a fun one with minimal things on it that will date the image TOO much (logos, etc). If you are going with the clean and minimalistic look, grey, white and taupe all look awesome in photos. The biggest decision with clothes and kids is, do you go fun and colorful or do you go clean and neutral. That is totally up to you and your family’s style. Like both? Grab a fancy fun outfit for part of our session. Little girls love tutus  Grab fun hats, layers, etc that will make for fun color pops in your photos. Plus, kids love to play with accessories!

FOR THE PARENTS

The biggest thing with choosing what to wear as a parent is, what can you wear and feel good in without worrying that you can’t move well in it. During sessions we will be bending over, throwing kids around etc. If you are a family that loves bright color, go for it! Many moms love to wear jeans while many love to wear maxi dresses. The most important thing with parents is that you compliment your kids. If your children are going to wear fun bright colors, maybe wear something more neutral with color pop. All wearing neural colors? White dresses are always a hit with moms. Dads are so thrilled when we OK them to wear a grey t-shirt and jeans!

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Tips for Your Session

  • Don’t worry! Things happen. Kids are cranky, dads are cranky, outfits don’t arrive, kids are fighting, it’s OK! The session will still be great.

  • Have your house ready BEFORE you go to bed. There is nothing more stressful on parents trying to get the house ready in the morning, the same time as the kids and themselves!

  • Have an extra outfit JUST incase of a mishap.

  • Know that during lifestyle sessions, we capture interaction. You may feel like we are not shooting enough but I am capturing things you don’t even realize.

  • Have anything out of the children’s you want photographed. Lovies, books, special toys, etc.

  • I will probably be moving around furniture to get the best light. We will put it all back!

  • Tell the kids that morning that a new friend is coming over to play!

  • Grab some fresh flowers for the session. They make everything better.