WHAT TO WEAR IDEAS FOR FAMILIES
Good choices in clothing is one of the key elements of a great photo session! For group sessions, clothing should be coordinated. Clothing should be simple and timeless. Favorites are jeans, khaki colored pants, white, black or neutral colored shirts, sundresses, gowns, hats and bare feet. (Large, busy prints, checkered patterns & geometric designs don’t photograph well). I’ll be checking in with you to chat about clothing choices. It’s a great idea to plan the outfits 2 weeks before the session. Lay them out on a bed, step back and take a look. Once you’re happy with your choices, make sure they are clean and wrinkle-free, then set them aside for your session. Don’t forget about shoes and the most overlooked item ... the socks! Yes, the socks are important…(the color). Accessories for women include jewelry, scarves, hats, and glasses. This will lower your stress level on session day! Clients are encouraged to include their own props.
PREPARING FOR YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION
Once we’ve set the date, we’ll start planning your session. We’ll call you to go over the details of the session. We’ll keep an eye on the weather forecast and contact you (the day of or day before your session) if we feel the session may need to be moved earlier or later in the day or re-scheduled.We will then meet for your photography session, have loads of fun and capture great images. Additional fees may be incurred in the event a client re-schedules.
The best tip for a successful session is to please feel at ease during your session. If pressured to “smile”, natural expressions may be lost. Many of the great images we capture are the “in-between” shots, when the subject relaxes & smiles. Photo sessions are work for both subject and photographer, but we’ve got tricks that make it fun & easy so don’t worry and don’t try too hard! Relax, it’s your day!
PREPARING FOR YOUR NEWBORN SESSION
1. Once you've contacted me about photographing your newborn, we can set up a tentative date based around your due date. Because babies typically come on their own time, however, once you have delivered you can then contact me to set up the actual session. Babies are best photographed within the first 5-10 days after birth as they are still very sleepy, can be easily posed, baby acne hasn't appeared yet, and any signs of jaundice have faded as well. So be sure to contact me as soon as possible to book your session.
2. Before your session we can then talk about what you expect out of it. Whether you want just family shots with the baby, or just posed shots or a combination of both. Let me know before hand if there are certain poses you want me to try with baby or special props that you will be bringing from home. Such as if you or your spouse are into baseball and you want a shot baby posed in a baseball mitt, etc. Any props that have meaning to you will make the photos that much more special. My images are simple to not take away from the baby, so I do not keep a large variety props in the studio. I do, however, have a variety of wraps and headbands for girls.
3. My newborn sessions typically take three hours, but plan on your newborn session being anywhere from two to three. Because of this I typically schedule newborn sessions in the morning, around nine or ten. Babies also tend to be sleepier at this time of day. I am not shooting the entire 3 hours. Much of this time is spent switching blankets and props, getting baby fed or diaper changed/cleaning up messes and soothing baby into poses. A fussy or wide awake baby who is unwilling to fall into a deep sleep can also effect the length of the shoot.
4. I shoot newborn sessions in my studio. This way I have control over lighting. Lifestyle sessions can be performed in a client’s home, but props are even more limited. I will do everything to make my studio as comfortable as possible for you and baby.
5. Babies are best photographed on a nice full tummy. Follow my Sleepy Baby Tips below.
6. I photograph babies with a diaper and diaper cover. I also have wraps and newborn clothing that is specially made for tiny newborns.
7. If Mom, Dad and any siblings are going to be in any shots I suggest wearing simple, light and comfortable clothing for shots. Please keep clothing in lighter neutral colors. No bold patterns, bright or neon shirts. A dark shirt for a dark background and a lighter shirt for the white background is preferred. Most family images are taken on a white backdrop, but I also have gray, brown and black.
PREPARING FOR YOUR 3 - 9 MONTH MILESTONE SESSION
Watch me GROW! These plans are usually scheduled based on the different stages of your baby’s development in the first year. The most common ‘stages’ are: maternity/expectation, newborn, sitting/crawling and 1-year/walking. However, some parents prefer to schedule their sessions based on the baby’s age, rather than their developmental stage (i.e., at newborn, 3-month, 6-months, 9-months and a 1-year ) . . . and sometimes, we use a different formula entirely! It doesn’t matter when your baby’s sessions occur during the first year, but all Watch me GROW Baby plans sessions must be completed by baby’s first birthday!
1. When we have scheduled your session we can then talk about what you expect out of it. Whether you want just family shots with the baby, or just posed shots or a combination of both. Let me know before hand if there are certain poses you want me to try with baby or special props that you will be bringing from home. Such as if you or your spouse are into baseball and you want a shot baby posed in a baseball mitt, etc. Any props that have meaning to you will make the photos that much more special. My images are simple to not take away from the baby, so I do not keep a large variety props in the studio.
2. Most babies are only good for one to two hours of shooting time. That includes bottle/snack breaks as well.
3. This session can be at a location of your choice (pending weather) or in the studio. Pending weather and outdoor lighting, even a studio session can include a few images from outside near the studio.
4. Babies are best photographed in the morning and with a full tummy.
5. Please bring a few outfits for baby. Please keep outfits in softer pale colors. No harsh neon colors. Stay away from massive headbands and bows that are the size of their heads. These are darling and cute for everyday, but during portraits we do not want to take way from their beautiful face. Small and simple is best. A few images may be shot in just bottoms to capture them as natural as possible unless not wanted. I have spare headbands, tutus, and diaper covers for girls in the studio.
6. If Mom, Dad and any siblings are going to be in any shots I suggest wearing simple, light color, and comfortable clothing for shots. Please keep clothing in lighter neutral colors for the lighter background. No bright or neon shirts. Large, busy prints, checkered patterns & geometric designs don’t photograph well either. Bring a second shirt that is dark for a dark background.
PREPARING FOR YOUR ONE YEAR MILESTONE SESSION
1. When we have scheduled your session we can then talk about what you expect out of it. Whether you want just family shots with the baby, or just posed shots or a combination of both. Let me know before hand if there are certain poses you want me to try with baby or special props that you will be bringing from home. Such as if you or your spouse are into baseball and you want a shot baby posed in a baseball mitt, etc. Any props that have meaning to you will make the photos that much more special. My images are simple to not take away from the baby, so I do not keep a large variety props in the studio.
2. Cake smash is an option at the one year session, along with balloons! The cake smash comes after portraits.
3. Most babies are only good for one to two hours of shooting time. That includes bottle/snack breaks as well.
4. This session can be at a location of your choice (pending weather) or in the studio. Pending weather and outdoor lighting, even a studio session can include a few images from outside near the studio.
5. Babies are best photographed in the morning after a good breakfast, but bring extra snacks to last until lunch time.
6. Please bring a few outfits. They don’t like a lot of outfit changes, so start with the must have outfit then we’ll move into the cake smash outfit (if applicable). Please keep outfits in softer pale colors. No harsh neon colors. A few images may be shot in just bottoms to capture them as natural as possible unless not wanted. In the studio I have spare headbands, tutus, and diaper covers for girls.
7. If Mom, Dad and any siblings are going to be in any shots I suggest wearing simple, light color, and comfortable clothing for shots. Please keep clothing in lighter neutral colors for the lighter background. No bright or neon shirts. Large, busy prints, checkered patterns & geometric designs don’t photograph well either. Bring a second shirt that is dark for a dark background.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SENIOR PORTRAIT SESSION
1. WHAT TO WEAR IDEAS: Bring it all! Casual, formal and in-between. Remember shoes, jewelry, and accessories for each outfit. Don’t forget that your images can represent all seasons despite the temperature outside. Try to have summer, winter and fall clothing to ensure you get a variety of looks and to go with all the varied background choices. Choose clothing that you feel comfortable in, and flatters your figure. Make sure to include what you can’t live without right now: a favorite tee, hoodie, jeans, hat, sunglasses, uniform, formal dress or shirt. Don’t forget your clothes for your Yearbook images too! Polish your nails, haircuts a week before look best, and be careful of suntan lines. Bring some long sleeve options. These will keep the focus on your face and not your shoulders or arms.
2. MAKE-UP:Rule of thumb, go with your normal daytime look to start with, you can always add a little more when you get to the studio, but it’s hard to take off and have to start over. Be especially careful when applying eyeliner and mascara – the camera magnifies clumps and heavy-handed applications if it is not applied perfectly. Summer shine can be controlled by using translucent powder that knocks out shine without adding color. Be sure to bring lip gloss!
3. PROPS: Props define what you are all about; your and hobbies. A friend, pet, your car, motorcycle, sports equipment, uniforms, trophies, books, instrument, hunting gear, computers, or siblings are always favorites. We’ll capture it all in a special way, and you’ll never pay extra.
4. DURING THE SESSION: Just relax and have fun. I will give you tons of ideas and directions throughout your session to help you feel at ease. I find the best photos to be the candid photos because that is when you are at your most relaxed state.
5. WHAT TO EXPECT: Senior sessions should typically take about 2 to 3 hours with as many outfit changes as we can fit into the session! You may be nervous at first, but don't worry - you'll soon relax and find your inner model. Note that most locations do not have facilities for changing clothes, so plan on changing clothes in your car, or wear clothing like bike shorts and a tank top under your outfits. You must arrange your own transportation to the session and between locations, if applicable. Parents (especially mom) are welcome to join us - and even jump in for some quick photos.