Hello there!

It’s almost time for your photo session! I can’t wait to spend some time with your family and have some fun capturing your unique personalities. Before our session, there are a few things you should know so we can get the most out of session and make it as amazing as possible.

THE BEST SUGGESTION THAT I CAN OFFER YOU IS TO BE YOURSELVES. Choose a wardrobe that is comfortable for everyone. Choose clothing that reflects your style and compliments the location you have chosen. New outfits are amazing and can make you feel really great, but you may have most of what you need already. I like to tell moms to find your outfit first, and then coordinate all the other clothes with yours. Neutral colors are beautiful and classic, but it’s ok to mix subtle prints and color in too!

Color

Coordination is great, matching exactly is not. As you choose coordinating colors, try not to have one person glaringly stand out. If most of you are in tan or blue and one person is in bright pink, all eyes will go to them! It is helpful to think about how the colors would look in black and white. Is one person wearing the only dark, or the only light color? Use layers to fix those problems!

Be Comfortable

Everyone has their own style, so every session will look and feel different. Choose outfits that are flattering, but do not make you self-conscious. If you’re a jeans and t-shirt kind of person, this is probably not the best time to decide to wear a tight fitting cocktail dress. I find that flowy dresses for moms, casual button-downs or t-shirts with khaki pants for dads, and simple and comfortable clothes for kids always makes for an easy session. Don’t try new shoes on kids for the first time that day.

Layering

Layering not only adds interest and depth, but it is also great for battling the elements if the weather decides to change its mind. You can also quickly change an entire outfit by removing one layer.

Is there a limit to the number of family members per session?

Nope! Family members are unlimited. We may take a bit longer than one hour with families with lots of children. Extended family sessions are at least 2 hours long.

Should we bring a change of clothing?

If you wear layers, you clothing can change as quickly as taking off a sweater! Otherwise, I’d advise against it. When we take time to change clothes, we often lose interest or momentum.

Do you retouch my photos?

I like to keep the photos clean and natural looking. If anything looks out of place or distracting during the editing process, I will fix it! If you have requests for major changes or head swaps, there is an additional editing fee that will be applied.

Why Film?

I shoot mainly film because I’ve found that it not only provides the most beautiful results, especially in print, but because it creates a more relaxed experience during the session for the families I work with. I am able to connect more and shoot less, which provides more authentic images. I love the beautiful natural colors, fine art quality of the photos, and nostalgic feeling that film provides that digital just can’t replicate. I do, however, often bring a digital camera to my sessions just to take a few backups, and all images are delivered as digital files.

Do you only shoot candids?

I always provide a combination of both posed portraits and candid moments. Although I always try to get the “money shot” where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera, it is not my focus in the session. I always strive to capture images that get to the heart of your family and relationships. I love personality and fun, and I think it’s fun to mix in creative shots with more traditional poses. I’m also a huge fan of close up portraits, and I always take individual portraits as well as smaller group photos, and basically every combo I can think of!