Couples Session
General:
-Be on time! I’m a natural-light photographer, so during our session we will be chasing the sun! Please make proper considerations for traffic, hair delays, and fashion emergencies! I want the BEST photography experience for you.
Location:
-I encourage you to find a spot that reflects your love and a place you’ll both feel comfortable. Great options include a train station, farm, coffee shop, urban building, vineyard, empty field, etc. I have a couple options I use often when clients are unsure about where their photos should be shot.
-Note: There is no such thing as an ‘ugly’ location….there is beauty everywhere, we just have to find it!
Wardrobe:
-Make your session unique! It is important to look and feel confident and comfortable. Wear outfits that reflect your personality. Causal, trendy, vintage, evening wear, etc…wear what reveals you but spice it up a bit!
-One outfit change is welcomed! I suggest one casual and one a bit dressier (whatever your version of “dressier” is). Just be prepared you might be changing in the back of a car, depending on location.
**Mini sessions Don’t allow for an outfit change**
-Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! Hats, headbands, belts, vests, chunky necklaces, scarf, etc… They make your outfit unique and add interest to photos without distraction. Accessories can take an okay outfit and turn it into an extraordinary outfit. They can also totally change an outfit when removed or switched!
-This is a great opportunity to have a trial run with your makeup artist or treat your self to a manicure or pedicure. Whatever will make you feel extra pampered and good about your appearance going into the shoot.
Still don’t know what to wear? Check out our Style Guide!
Props:
-It’s always fun to bring along “props”. Props can really help tell your story, so feel free to bring things along that really reflect your fantastic personalities.
For instance, if you're into traveling you can bring some vintage suitcases and a globe. If you're a musical couple consider bringing a guitar or whatever instrument or items that demonstrate that! Other suggestions include sunglasses, large lollipop, old camera, magazines, bikes, or (personal favorite) your dog! Any items that help identify you as a couple, please bring them along and I will do my best to incorporate them.
-BRING A BLANKET! For sitting, for snuggling, for whatever! We can always use it.
Extra Tips for great photos:
-When you are on your way to the session remember exactly why you are doing this; the wedding and spending the rest of your life with your best friend. Let that love and excitement show in your pictures through your kissing, hold hands, snuggles, and laughter. I try to make you feel completely comfortable but you have to let loose, relax those lips, and show some love! PDA all the way!
-If you are “camera shy” or hate the way your smile looks in pictures, practice laughing. I guarantee that it may start as a “fake” laugh, but quickly turns into a true smile/chuckle and it’s guaranteed to make your partner laugh as well. Sounds silly but this method has been tried and proven.
-If you’re bringing your pup, please bring along treats and/or a favorite toy to help me get their attention and get them to sit!
Portrait Session
GENERAL:
-Be on time! I’m a natural-light photographer, so during our session we will be chasing the sun! Please make proper considerations for traffic, hair delays, and fashion emergencies! I want the BEST photography experience for you.
-Bring a neutral blanket (or one that matches your outfit choices) just in case we need it!
LOCATION:
-I encourage you to find a spot that reflects you and a place you’ll feel comfortable. Great options include a train station, farm, coffee shop, urban building, vineyard, empty field, etc. I have a couple options I use often when clients are unsure about where their photos should be shot.
-Note: There is no such thing as an ‘ugly’ location….there is beauty everywhere, we just have to find it!
WARDROBE:
-Make your session unique! It is important to look and feel confident and comfortable. Wear outfits that reflect your personality. Causal, trendy, vintage, evening wear, etc…wear what reveals you but spice it up a bit! Try to also avoid busy prints, big logos, and being to “matchy.”
-For Individual Portrait Sessions, 1 or 2 outfit changes are welcomed! I suggest one casual and one a bit dresser (whatever your version of “dresser” is). Just be prepared you might be changing in the back of a car, depending on location.
-Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! Hats, headbands, belts, vests, chunky necklaces, scarf, etc… They make your outfit unique and add interest to photos without distraction. Accessories can take an okay outfit and turn it into an extraordinary outfit. They can also totally change an outfit when removed or switched!
-For Families, Coordinate, choose colors and accessories that compliment each other. Try not to let your colors match perfectly with another family member but make them blend with each other. I suggest starting by picking 3 colors and then have everyone where different shades or patterns of those colors.
MOMMAS - Pick an outfit that YOU are most comfortable in and makes you feel your best! Then coordinate the rest of your family around that outfit.
Still don’t know what to wear? Check out our Style Guide!
PROPS:
-In addition to your standard accessories, you are more then welcome to bring along any props like such as sunglasses, kite, picnic, big lollipops, sports equipment, musical instruments, special toys, books, cool couch, or (my personal favorite) your dog! Any items that help identify you as a family or your child, please bring them along and I will do my best to incorporate them. These not only make your photos unique that can help to make a child more comfortable in front of the camera or bring laughter to the family.
EXTRA TIPS FOR GREAT PHOTOS:
-For Families, if you have small children, I will need your help to “rally the troops” however when it comes to snapping away a group photo, it is best for you to continue to either look forward and smile at the camera or look at your kids, smile and laugh with them. This helps me take pictures knowing that my only goal is to get the children’s attention.
-If you have a young child, bring their car seat along so you have somewhere to place them so we can get photos of just you and your spouse!
-Bring a snack or treat for the end of the session, it not only serves as a great reward for smiles but it also allows me to snap a few more great photos at the end of the session. Sometimes the best pictures can be a close up of a smile while a child is eating a treat! **Bring your child’s favorite squeaky toy for me to hold so I can us that to help get their attention!!
-If you’re bringing your pup, please bring along treats and/or a favorite toy to help me get their attention and get them to sit!
-For YOU, If you are “camera shy” or hate the way your smile looks in pictures, practice laughing. I guarantee that it may start as a “fake” laugh, but quickly turns into a true smile/chuckle. This method has been tried and proven.
Newborn Session
GENERAL
-Newborn sessions are done within the first 14 days of being born for several reasons: They are more likely to stay asleep and cooperate during their poses, they still like to be curled up, they don’t mind being posed, and their flaky skin or baby acne has not set in yet. After 14 days old, they are less cooperative and it takes a lot of time to ease the baby.
-My newborn sessions are done in your home and can document a day in your life, or do some posed shots in your favorite areas of your home.
-Arrival time will be during the baby’s sleepiest time, usually in the mid morning.
-Make sure the room that has your most amount of light is free and clear from any obstacles, and other children, pets.
-Babies sleep best when the room is nice and warm. I will have you turn up your heater to approximately 70 degrees in that area.
TIPS
-One of the most imperative things is to keep baby awake 2-3 hours before their session so that they are nice and sleepy. Do not feed them until right before we begin the session. When we begin, I will have you feed baby well, and this will keep baby nice and full during their session.
-If your baby takes a pacifier, be sure to keep in handy. Even if baby does not intend on using one permanently, it is often convenient during pictures to keep baby calm and soothed for the 2-3 hours they will be taking photos. This is much easier than moving baby each time they need soothed.
-Please be prepared with wipes, burp cloths and rags, as babies will have accidents during their sessions. Parts of the session where the baby is nude means messes are expected!
-Have snuggly blankets with you to keep your munchkin comfy as well as blankets you'd like them to be photographed on.
-The hours before your shoot, wrap your baby's diaper more loosely than usual and put them in a bigger onesie so we can avoid the clothes crease lines caused by tightness on clothing on your baby's body.
OTHER
-Have outfits or props that reflect your life! If you're a proud alumni, maybe a college onesie or sports team beanie. Bring a few outfits with you so we have options and in case of a mess. As well as maybe an important blanket from Grammy, or a sign with your baby's name.
-I will most-likely have Momma or Daddy helping me “spot” the baby from rolling, and help with adjusting positions because newborn sessions are normally a two-person job! This will help ease your baby and keep them feeling calm and secure.
-Don't feel bad if there are tears or fussy moments! This comes with every baby session. We will have time allotted for calm-downs and soothing.
-Your baby is working hard getting their photos taken, they will require a little more love than usual while they are modeling!