Welcome

I am so excited to be working with you, and am looking forward to your upcoming session! Photos will always be the most meaningful art you own, so I want you to have the best experience possible. This is a time for you to relax and enjoy yourself while I capture your family in a natural and authentic way. Because my style is relaxed and genuine, you can rest assured that your photos will capture you as you really are.

This guide will help you to prepare for your session and get the most out of our time together. I’ve included tips on what to wear, how to select and coordinate colors and patterns, ways to add unique, meaningful touches to your images, as well as how to prepare your spouse and kids. I can’t wait to get started!

 

What to  Wear: 

A Style Guide

One of the questions I am asked most frequently by my clients is “What should we wear?” And it’s no wonder! Your photos are an investment that you have most likely spent some time and money on, and besides adorning the walls of your home and probably your Holiday card, they will be passed down for generations to come. It is understandable that you want to look your best! I have compiled a few tips here that I am hoping will help you feel less overwhelmed when it comes time to pick out your wardrobe for your next photo session.

Keep in mind that these are all just ideas! You certainly do not have to implement ALL of them… or ANY of them for that matter! The most important thing is that your photos are a reflection of YOU. But if you’re feeling stuck, or just need some inspiration, here are a few tips to guide you.

 

Start with what you love

Do you have a certain color that you really love to wear? Wear it! Do you love dresses? Wear one! Find something that makes you feel beautiful! If you are comfortable in what you are wearing, it will transfer to your photos. Being comfortable and confident in what we're wearing can make a huge difference in how we feel and how relaxed we are in front of the camera. 

Still stuck? Here are a few recommended pieces to get you started!

FOR MOM: Dresses are the most flattering, and photograph beautifully. Dresses with movement add an extra touch of grace and elegance to your photos! 

FOR DAD: Chinos and button up shirts or henleys look sharp, masculine and tailored in photos. Keep in mind that fitted slacks, as opposed to cargo styles, photograph best. 

FOR KIDS: Same as mom and dad! Don’t forget to accessorize! Little touches like hair accessories, bow ties and suspenders can add the perfect stylistic touch  to your photos.

 

Coordinating vs. Matching

There is an old fashioned idea floating around that everyone in the picture needs to have on matching clothing. This is not true! Coordinating is far better than matching. Choose colors that look nice together, but don't fall into the trap that you all need to be wearing the exact same blue shirt. Your photos will be far more interesting with some variation! Add interest to your photos by incorporating plenty of color and/or patterns. Don't be afraid of either of these! If you're overwhelmed with where to start, or wonder "How much is too much?" you might start with a print that you love, and pull in some of the coordinating colors with other pieces.

I always recommend having at least three colors in your palette. Adding in a couple of patterns looks nice too! Add in a solid shirt for one person, maybe some stripes for another. Remember, the key is to coordinate, so the colors in your prints and patterns are your friend! 

If your personality is suited to a more subtle look, neutrals photograph beautifully as well. You can easily keep your color scheme neutral and add in smaller amounts of color for variety.

If you’re having a hard time deciding on a color palette, let the colors of your home inspire you! Since your home is where your images will be displayed, think about the colors that will coordinate well with your home and style of décor. I also like to recommend that my clients consider the Pantone Color of the year as well! Because fashion designers utilize the Pantone Color of the year in their design choices for the coming seasons, making selections from these options will usually result in color choices that are fashionable and on trend. The Pantone website will provide you with an array of coordinating colors and hues!

Finish off your look with accessories and layers. This can really make your photos "YOU" and looks fantastic in photos!  Consider adding a statement necklace or scarf to your outfit, and for your family, consider accessories such as a vest, belt, jacket, hat, suspenders, headband, etc. Accessories are the perfect way to give a finishing touch to your look, and they can really set your photos apart.

Things to Avoid. There are a few tones that are less flattering for photos, that I usually recommend my clients avoid, specifically neon colors, and wearing all white. White tends to wash out most people's skin tones and isn’t most flattering. This isn't to say you can't have any white on, but it might be best to not make it your principle color of choice for every person in your photo shoot. Neon colors will cast bright colors onto your skin in photos, and can make it difficult to capture your natural skin tones. While neon colors are a lot of fun, it’s best to save them for occasions outside of photo time.

Helping my clients get ready for their photo session is one of my greatest joys! I hope these tips give you some ideas and help you to feel a little more prepared. If you have any questions, or even any more tips or ideas, don't hesitate to ask!

 

How to Prep Yourself

How to Prep the Kids 

• Make sure they are rested
• Make sure they are fed
• Tell them what we will be doing, and make it sound exciting!
• Make this exciting for them – consider a reward/something fun afterwards
• Let them be little! Just give them grace to be little, and know I will capture their personalities no matter what.

How to Prep Dad 

• Make sure he is rested and fed – Haha! But really… rested and fed applies to the grown-ups too!
• Show him a few of your favorite pictures from my website so he can see the relaxed nature of my work. This will help him know what to expect.
• Let him know that the best thing he can do is to just enjoy his family- and let ME do the work. The pressure is off.
• Let him know how much this means to you, and that your glad he is willing to be such a team player for one hour!

How to Prep Yourself

• Make enough time to prepare on the day of your session, so you don’t feel rushed and anxious.
• Let go of your need for perfection. This is the biggest anxiety for most moms. It’s ok if your kids aren’t “perfect” during our time together.
• Don’t worry about your kids not giving me their “real smiles.” Most of the time, being told “not that smile, your REAL smile!” only makes it worse… So, don’t worry. I will work hard to get them laughing and will be sure to capture them at their best!

 

What to  Bring: 

A Checklist

• Bring comfy shoes for walking between spots
• Snacks for the kids, that won’t stain
• Makeup for touchups
• Extra diapers, wipes, etc.
• Bring along something extra and meaningful – child’s favorite special toy that you may want to photograph, flowers to hold, favorite quilt, antique chair, etc.

 

Final Thoughts

The most important thing for you to remember is to just enjoy your family. Let this be a time that you have fun with each other, tell silly stories, and laugh a lot!  Down the road, it won’t matter nearly as much if you were having a bad hair day that day, or if your son wasn’t listening well. You will look back on these pictures and remember this moment in time, and how quickly it went.