Session Guide
- Please arrive 10 minutes before your session time to ensure everyone is dressed and ready
- I know family photos can be stressful and that all members of the family may not be as excited about it as you! Try to avoid stress to keep everyone positive while getting ready for the shoot. Feel free to offer bribes (for children and husbands!) such as a special treat, toy, extra TV time, etc. but don’t put too much pressure on everyone to be perfect. I try to keep my sessions light and playful so we can get natural expressions and have fun!
- For littler ones, I recommend a “right now” treat such as candy, marshmallows, or fruit snacks that we can use during the session if we need to, as well as a bigger treat after the session is done. I also advise bringing water for the kiddos.
- Keep in mind that we are usually in nature locations, so I advise wearing bug spray for your session.
- Consider getting your hair and makeup professionally done if you can. I recommend Blo Blowdry Bar or The Hair Bar. You may want to consider a half up style on windier days.
Choosing Your Outfits
What you decide to wear for your session is very important to the overall look in your images. Please read over the below suggestions and refer back to them as you are selecting your outfits. If you have any questions or need additional outfit advice feel free to reach out.
You also have access to my client wardrobe with dresses for women and girls for your session. You can view the dresses currently in the collection here and the girl’s pieces here. If you’d like to wear a dress from my collection, please let me know and we’ll set up a time for you to try on, or I can bring a few options to your session!
- I recommend choosing outfits that are earth tones, neutrals, or soft pastels. Avoid bright colors as they may reflect onto your skin. Take a look at my Pinterest board for outfit inspiration!
- Solids or light florals will photography beautifully, but avoid bold patterns or logos to keep your look as simple and timeless as possible.
- I suggest that family members try to coordinate their looks but avoid matching clothes. An easy way to coordinate is to choose one patterned item (for example a floral dress) and then select the rest of the family’s clothing from colors within that pattern. Or to choose complimentary neutrals.
FOR WOMEN
- Dress it up! Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera. Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look great in photos. Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images. When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. If you have smaller children, we’ll likely have you sitting or crouching on the ground to interact up-close with them, so you may want to lean towards a midi or maxi length.
FOR GUYS
Long fitted pants and closed toed shoes will photograph well for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face. Stick with casual khakis, fitted colored pants, or fitted jeans. For tops, anything from a casual button up or henley to a nice shirt or sweater can work.
FOR WOMEN
Lulus
Morning Lavender
Pink Blush
Show Me Your Mumu
Urban Outfitters
Altar’d State
Free People
FOR BABIES/KIDS
Gap/Old Navy
Zara
Joyfolie (for little girls)
