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welcome
To my exclusive client-only guide with tips & tricks to rock your photo session.
Learn how to not only plan your session, but how to be present!
scroll down to start!
It's important to me too, that you feel comfortable and authentically you for your photo session.
Think about how you most spend your time together and how those images can tell your love story.
how it works
Thinking of a date night in? Picnic in the park? Cozy in-studio with your newest addition?
Below steps briefly outline what to expect from planning your session, rocking it, then what happens after.
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Scroll down further on this page to read more tips & tricks on what to wear, and how to get more candid feeling photos!
Step 01
Envisioning your session
You're reading this guide! That's a great first step!
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Think about how you envision your session. How do you want to feel during the session and when looking back on the images? What's most important to you?
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Step 03
Feeling stuck?
I got you!
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We can meet virtually to brainstorm your session!
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I can help with location suggestions, what style of clothing would best be suited, and more!
Step 05
Leaving the location
After your session, I'll send you a little sneak peek gallery with some highlights within the week. The remaining gallery will be completed and delivered as per your contractural terms.
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The online gallery allows you to "heart" your favorite images, share to social platforms, and download.
Step 02
Outfits, Location, Props
Start thinking about outfits, and any hair & makeup services your might need.
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Plan for any props you'd like to include and of anything that's particularly important to you.
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Brainstorm possible locations, something that is true to you or specific to your vision.
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Step 04
Being Present
Think of this as a date / family night out!
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Your only job is to have fun, be present, and let things flow naturally. Don't stress about your toddlers running wild (I have one too!). Having them explore our location a little, or get to know me first before getting into the "photo" part is fine!
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Interact naturally as a family / couple; if you feel like holding hands, do. If you feel like snuggling or kissing, do. (I'll give you prompts to help).
Wardrobe, hair, makeup, tiny details and the environment, all play a key role in the outcome of your photos
look like you
If you're uncomfortable during the session, you just might remember that feeling when looking at your photos later. The best way to feel like you in your session, is to look like you.
Below are also tips on how to have a stress free session (by having a friend drop off & pickup your pets!) or by letting baby run the show (because they really do).
Color Palette & Formality
Dress to match your location
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avoid bright neon colors, large logos / brands and loud / noisy prints and restrictive clothing that you can't move in
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dress for the weather and/or situation - bring layers if it's cold!
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dress to match your location, make it look like you belong there
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compliment colors instead of matching
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pick a color palette (warm, neutral, colorful) - Pinterest is great for this!
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match the formality (especially for family sessions) jeans / t-shirt, or dress clothes?
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textured clothing, like knits, are always a great thing to add.
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it's okay to bring a change of clothes; you never know what you may prefer once we are on location shooting.
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if you're travelling for a longer period of time to get to your location, wear different travel clothes & change upon arrival to location! This helps prevent wrinkles - or keep your clothes wrinkle free if you've already steamed / ironed them.
Snacks, Props, Etc.
Are always a good idea
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bring any props or any other important items with you to your shoot & let me know prior to so we can be sure to focus on anything in particular.
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bring snacks for the kids, or for yourself and some water for a quick refresh before / during or after your session
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if including your pets, have a family / friend available to transport them to & from our location. That way if you want some photos without them, we don't have to feel guilty about tying them to a tree.
All About The Details
Women
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be mindful of your bra straps, underwear lines, etc.
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for engagement and maternity photos, your hands will be in a lot of photos - consider a quick manicure or a DIY version!
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if getting your hair and / or makeup done professionally, stick to what you're comfortable with!
Men
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try not to shave right before your session to avoid any irritated skin.
Newborn Sessions
In-Home or Studio
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if using your home, try to tidy up the main rooms with the most natural light. Get rid of any water bottles or extra toys. We want less background distraction, and more focus on your family!
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if doing a newborn session in your home, try to keep your home a little warmer than normal. This helps when we want photos of any skin-to-skin with baby or anything else that you'd like that doesn't require baby to be swaddled / dressed (diaper only!).
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don't stress about session time! Feeds, diaper changes, spit ups and more happen! The baby will run the show and we'll just roll with it!
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bring any props (like swaddles or accessories) or any other important items with you to your shoot & let me know prior to so we can be sure to focus on anything in particular.
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bring snacks / treats if you have kids that may need a little coaxing while at the studio!
Whether doing an activity together, picking rocks on the beach as a family, or simply going for a walk on your favorite path with your pets - this session is all about you.
my job
Prompts. Guides. Inspiration.
My job is to make you and your session comfortable so that you leave never having thought about what to do next.
I'm in a constant state of create flow, maybe not an organized state (squirrel!) but when the creative juices get going, the good stuff happens.
Variety is everything
walking. snuggling. kissing. laughing. all of it.
I start your portraits by doing a little more formal / traditional set-ups (sometimes the older generations want to see your face looking at the camera, plain and simple haha) and then some more artistic & candid-natural movement type of photos.
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Starting with the simpler stuff allows us to rid those camera jitters! Yup, even mine!
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From there, we'll play with prompts and movement to get you feeling more candid and natural. You’ll snuggle, stand close, wrap arms around each other, stand apart holding hands, and more - all with subtle movements & changes to give lots of variety & angles. For example:
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After I set you in a spot and provide a prompt - I move around a lot.
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As you continue to move within the prompt (below section includes 3 tips for what you can do for more candid feeling photos too!) I'll see more, and get inspired.
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From there, I'll ask you to move subtly (with your chin, or an arm, or place heads a certain way) or say something to your spouse to create genuine interactions.
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I get a variety of angles, and expressions by subtly moving you, and even more so, my own feet.
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I also like to create more artistic photos by playing with light. You may be standing still for these kinds of shots, looking directly into the sun, or not at all! But if I randomly decide to change a prompt and have you run a different direction, it's most likely because I saw some pretty light and got inspired.
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And as politely as possible - please stay in the prompt until I've said so haha if I lower my camera, it's not because you're done in that spot, it's because I'm maybe switching settings, or camera, or coming to you to fix a piece of hair.
Music is Art too
from the 80's to pop 2k to country to alternative
I play music at every session to help fill the air. Why?
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You won't feel insecure for only hearing my camera click a thousand times.
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You'll start to bop or sing along to a song you may like.
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A song may make you feel emotional and connected to your spouse.
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It inspires me too.
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If you have music preferences, feel free to let me know prior to your session! I love customizing my playlists to my clients taste.
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LESS POSED.
MORE AUTHENTIC.
Here's my 3 favorite things to implement / remember in your session to have more candid feeling photos - which lead to photos that feel like you!
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Keep Physical Touch
This can be as close as a kiss as far as fingertips touching. But through this style of shooting, even when I silently step back to document with space, connect with eachother in some physical way.
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Maintain Movement
Always be subtly moving, even if it’s just to move your hair out of your face. Find ways to adjust your bodies (I’ll also be giving you pointers). Hands, they can be awkward - play with your props, with your partners hair, stroke your baby's face, etc.
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Minimal Eye Contact with the Camera
Unless otherwise told because I’m not the focus here! Look at eachother, snuggle into eachother, kiss, touch noses, look at your scenery, whatever feels most natural to you.
I hope this session guide helped you have a better understanding about what to expect.
And more importantly.
Thank you for choosing me to be your photographer. To be the one to create your tangible memories.
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing intimate moments with me.
It's a really big deal.
