What to expect
hi family!
This session guide was put together to give you a peace of mind, and hopefully answer any questions you have about our upcoming session together! This guide will go through the potential stresses before the session, during and after, and is here to add some guidance and reassurance for you and family. If there are any issues or questions about your upcoming session that isn’t answered in this guide, do not hesitate to reach out to me, as I am here to help and make this a fun and positive experience for you and your family!
I can not wait to meet you all, and work together to capture your beautiful family, in all your wildness!
Wardrobe Tips
As a storyteller and documentary photographer, I want to help you showcase your family in all it’s authenticity. So don't worry about getting extra dressed up. If your little kiddo wants to wear butterfly wings, or be superman for the day, that’s absolutely fine! The goal is for your family to feel like your family in your photos, so do not feel like you need to adjust your style or go buy a new outfit for perfect photos! We are not aiming for perfect, we are aiming for real.
Below I have some tips to help make your photos be the best that they can look, without changing your style.
Colours, Textures and Patterns
- Colour coordinating outfits is a great way to make your photos feel more cohesive, whilst still showing everyones individuals personality. For example, An Earthy colour scheme with muted greens, browns, blacks and beiges will blend together nicely. If you are more of a colourful fam, choosing complementary colours like red and blue as a pop of colour in your outfits is a great choice too!
- Textures are also a great way to help your outfits come together. Like denims, wool, fleece, corduroy, knits, and linens etc, are a great way to add interesting textures into your photos. etc. like a knitted sweater, denim overalls, corduroy jacket or a linen dress.
- Patterns are another great option to add into your outfits. Like plaids, stripes, cable knits, and florals. It's easy to over do it with patterns, so just add it into a couple of outfits! for example, a couple people wearing different kinds of stripes, a few cable knit sweaters (different colours), and a couple of different patterned floral dresses.
Logos and Graphics
- Logos and Graphics are usually not welcomed in family portraits, as they can be distracting in the image. As long as it's not neon coloured or super large, you are more than welcome to wear it for your photos!
Matching Outfits
- When it comes to Matching outfits, it isn’t recommended. As it can take away from each family members place in the image, or look a bit awkward. Unless you are going for awkward family photoshoot, I don't recommend matching.
Comfort
- Lastly, the most important thing to remember when choosing your outfits is comfort! I shoot in the outdoors and nature, so making sure you are comfortable with your outfit is one of the most important things of your session, as we will be doing a lot of moving around and playing whilst capturing your family. So think flowy dresses and skirts, comfy sweaters and movable pants like jeans, leggings, outdoor friendly outfits are recommended!
- If you still are unsure, you can ask me and I'll to help pick out your outfits, or you can find some great inspiration on Pinterest too!
Before the Session
- Double check you've got everything packed and ready to the night before!! You definitely do not want to be stressed out the morning of wondering where you put your wee babes travel bag.
- If you are bringing snacks, make sure they are non-staining and messy, if you can help it!
- Make sure you have study the route to the location. This can help ease the stress of travel for the parents, especially when journeying with younger kids. Being confident in where you are heading, makes for a more relaxing drive!
- Have your outfits ready the night before your session! This is so important, as you do not want to be running around stressing over where everything is the morning of.
- Get your family excited about the session. Talk to your kids and let them know about whats happening makes them feel more involved in the session.
Day of Session
For the session day, we will meet up at the preferred location 10-15 mins before starting time. This will allow everyone to get ready, say hi and check in before we get started! During the session we'll focus on some slow shots to get everyone comfortable, and flow into some activities and open movement. Do not stress if the little ones aren't wanting to cooperate, as we will take needed breaks in between shots and activities, and flow with how everyone is feeling in the moment. For families with little little ones, do not stress about feeding or nap routines, as this is something we can work around, or incorporate into the shoot! Let me know of your schedule and routine times, and we’ll discuss what you'd like to do!
These sessions are built to be an experience, a chance to explore, and spend time with your family. So get wild, connect and of course have fun!
After the Session
After the session, I will get started on your families photos. The delivery time for your beautiful photos, is by the end of 2 weeks from the session date. When your family's photos are ready, I will let you know via text/email, and send you a link to your own online gallery!
Photo Edits
Your Images will be edited in my style, with colour and B&W options. If you have any issues regarding editing styles, I am more than happy to adjust minimal issues you many have.