Getting Ready Guide
This guide will help you get dressed and mentally prepared to take your best photos! I love guiding chemistry-filled moments in order to create your family’s personal artwork. If you have an idea, please let me know. Every family has their own style, and I love to honor that. I’ll offer up my best recommendations on how to bring that to life!
Outfits
While certain colors and styles work really well with my editing, it’s important that you get to show off your unique style. If you have something you love and want to wear, you can always send me photos for a little text style consultation! Here’s a list of considerations to ensure your outfits highlight your family in the very best way.
basic wardrobe tips
• Bold, neutral, and jewel-toned colors work great with my editing style and suit all skin tones
• Wear layers and flowy clothing to add movement
• Large prints and textures add visual interest
• Skip any neon or fluorescent colors – they cast unwanted colors on your skin
• Consider undergarment lines and straps
• Steam or iron your outfits, if needed
• Add accessories like jackets, belts, and hats
Note: Skip any hats that sit low on the forehead – they can create a shadow over your lovely face
• Think about your hair and skin
• Nails should be clean and in your preferred style
styling your family
When it comes to dressing a full family, we’re going for complementary colors and styles more than outright matching. Start with a main outfit! In many cases, this is mom because she already has an outfit she would love an excuse to wear. This is the excuse—wear it! Select a few colors from the main outfit that go together to build everyone else’s outfits. Add neutrals, textures and patterns to create more visual interest.
Example styling above: Mom’s outfit is the focal piece and offers tan, orange, white, and jean for everyone to match! Elliott gives us a different style with his overalls (notice how his tan shirt leads back to mom?), while Claire’s outfit gives us a new texture and detailed pattern. Dad brings it all back together with his neutral jeans and tan shoes. BONUS: If you look closely at the bottom of the photo you’ll see that Elliott felt strongly about wearing his Paw Patrol shoes. Did they ruin the photo? Absolutely not. If your kiddo needs to wear something to feel comfort, don’t sweat it!
Family Chemistry
The most important part of your upcoming session is the authentic moments we’ll create. My goal is to make photos feel less like a chore, and more like a fun family day! Try planning photos on a day that you won’t be rushing from one thing to the next. When you’re done, you could even share a meal and talk about the fantastic time you had.
act natural
Ok, I know that’s easier said than done. But the trick to great family photos is showing your family’s number one asset: your chemistry. We’ll get plenty of “smile for the camera” moments… but I would rather see your family smiling at YOU! Soft tickles, dance parties, and silly jokes are my go-to starters but my absolute favorite is when you tell me about funny family moments. It lights the whole family up!
keep it light
The best way to get kids to smile is by keeping it light. I know that you want *perfect* photos (I promise, I want that for you, too) and the best way to get those is to start and end the session with authentic smiles and action! While I respect each family’s parenting style, I do recommend that no discipline take place before or during the session. (Want to know how to get your kid excited about your upcoming session? Click here!) It’s much easier for me to re-direct kids or play games instead of parents breaking the fun to stop perceived misbehavior. I don’t perform well when I feel like I’m in trouble, and I’m guessing your kiddos don’t, either.
think like your kids
Do they crack up at a certain voice? Let’s hear it! Do they break into a grin when they hear a specific song? Have that song loaded on your phone and get ready to dance, mama! Parents set the mood, and your little ones probably watched you prep for this session. Show them just how exciting and fun family photos can be.
anticipate needs
Feel free to bring a snack and/or water bottle. Smarties, Goldfish, and Puffs are perfect snacks that won’t melt in little hands or get stuck in teeth. Sometimes a small treat is perfect to get a few extra minutes of cooperation! Please save anything gummy or chocolate for an after-photos treat!
