When should I schedule my session?
Plan ahead: sessions tend to fill up at least a month in advance.
Sessions scheduled in advance often turn out best, as preparation and planning can make a big difference in the outcome of your session. Certain times of the day as well as year offer different opportunities for optimal light and exposure, creating a more dramatic shot. If you have a time in mind, please consult with me so we can ensure the desired time is available.
It is also wise to keep nap times and feeding schedules in mind when determining a session time so that everyone is ready for the spotlight.
Once the date has been set between myself and a client, I ask for a $50 deposit to hold your reservation. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to a session will forfeit the deposit, but deposits can be transferred to a rescheduled or future session. The balance is due at the time of the session.
I also like to speak with each client in detail via phone or email regarding the setting and feel they would like to achieve during their session. This allows me to get to know my clients prior to our session and be sure we select the best location, time, incorporation of props, and any additional details to achieve the client's vision for our session.
What Do I/We Wear?
Deciding what to wear in family photos can be challenging. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and cherish for years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn’t need to be. As my client, you also have access to a complimentary, interactive styling website called Style & Select. This ingenious site takes all the stress out of picking outfits for your session! Ask me for your code to get started!
Here are a couple quick tips to help you pick out the perfect wardrobe for you and your family.
1. Coordinating colors not matching.
Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Instead, pick a couple of colors and choose clothes that will fit in this color scheme.
2. Look at your home decor.
Do you like bright colors? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colors of your clothes go with the color scheme of your home.
3. Don’t forget accessories.
Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Have the man wear a tie for the woman to hold. Necklaces for the kids to play with or hats to hide behind. Another fun idea is to try incorporating the season or occasion you are celebrating with your session.
4. Limit patterns.
Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colors in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image.
5. Say no to characters.
Yes, your little one may love their Toy Story shirt but you may want to skip it for the family photo session. Just like patterns, characters on shirts can be pretty distracting.
6. Avoid all white or all black clothing.
If you are wearing an all white shirt then it is very easy to blow out parts of your shirt causing it to lose its detail. Same can be said with all black, it’s easy to have clipping on black clothing and the detail is lost.
7. Textures are your friend.
I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs I like to add textures like scarves or belts to add a little more to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures.
8. Think classic.
These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosing simple, classic clothes you will help give your images a timeless feel.
After Your Session
My goal in each session is to capture the genuine characteristics of my clients and create a beautiful story with every shot. After capturing the best possible shots during the session, quality edits are made to ensure that the final product is exceptional and a true representation of those in the photo. Please understand that with perfection in mind, editing can take 3-4 weeks.
I release all images free of watermark for your personal use. I do not require extra printing fees for individual images. Once the edits are complete the digital images are yours.