How to prepare for your session…

as always, if you have any questions please ask!


CLOTHING

  • Make sure clothes are wrinkle free, fit well and aren’t too baggy or sliding off shoulders etc. while moving around.

    • Moms, if you’re going to be holding a kid in your outfit, try it once at home to make sure it doesn’t pull funny or bunch up etc.

    • Fabrics that wrinkle easily or kids clothes that may get soiled in route may be best put on at the photo location.

  • I am often asked what to wear and I always say, you should look and feel like yourselves slightly elevated for the location. So if we’re at your home, jeans, a casual dress, cozy sweaters, bare feet etc. It shouldn’t look like you’re out of place in your own space.

  • Outfits should coordinate but not “match” too much. I usually say to pick one outfit you love and then coordinate everyone else around that. Don’t overthink this too much - you probably already have everything you need in your closets! However, a photoshoot can also be a fun time to get some new seasonal pieces - or at least I sometimes use it as an excuse for our family, ha!

FACES

  • Have wipes handy in case we need to wipe a runny nose, 'tis the season.

  • If anyone in your house has chapped lips/face, try to start getting chapstick/moisturizer on them a day or two in advance, the best you can. Chapped lips are a tough edit. 

LADIES

  • put on a little extra mascara and blush or bonzer, and don't forget some lip color! Doesn't have to be super bold, but just some color, trust me, it makes a huge difference!!

KIDS

  • Make sure everyone has had a hearty snack before photos - none of us are our best when we're hungry, haha!

    • Especially with mini sessions, we don’t have time to stop for snacks.

  • If you want to bring a snack for kids to have right before our shoot, I recommend things like apple slices, string cheese, or anything that won't stain or make crumbs on their outfits or show in their teeth etc. 

  • If you think we may need to “encourage them” with a treat - no judgement haha - my favorites are mini marshmallows! Yogurt melts, goldfish and plain dry cereal work too. I avoid chocolate, red, blue or green suckers, oreos, or anything with dust on it like pirates booty or cheetos.

  • This is the hardest part, even for me! For our posed, non candid photos - when I am trying to get them to look at me and smile, the best thing you can do is to keep looking at the camera, don’t look at them. What often happens is that they finally give me a great 2 second smile but mom and dad are pointing at the camera or looking at them/talking rather than at me. This is way easier said than done - and I am guilty of doing this myself so don’t worry if it happens, this is just here as a reminder!

PROPS

  • If you’d like to - feel free to bring a neutral blanket. White, tan, blue, grey - without a bold pattern is usually best! And helpful if anyone in your family doesn’t like to sit in the grass or on sand if we’re at the beach. The smallest size that will fit everyone is best!

  • Bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal etc.

  • Have a cute vintage trike? adorable!

  • If your family loves baseball, bring a ball and mitts

  • Christmas themed props can be cute too!

- Talk to your littles about how much fun we're going to have, maybe show them some photos of them smiling leading up to the session. I'm uuuusually good at getting a smile with some of my silly tricks so don't worry about coaching them too much. Just keep it light and I'll take care of the smiles. And if they're having a hard day... there's always my prize bin - filled with little cars, planes, glow in the dark dinos, and mini stuffed animals! (this will be offered to all children at the end of the session. Please let me know in advance if this is not something you'd like me to offer!)