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 your 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 tribe!
I can't wait to meet you all, and work together to capture your beautiful family, in all your wildness! Yay!
WARDROBE TIPS
Choosing outfits for a photography session can be a very stressful task for a lot of people, So to help take that pressure off your back, I've put together a few tips and tricks to help guide you when choosing your outfits for a session!
Comfort in the Outdoors
When choosing your outfits, the no.1 thing to keep in mind is comfort! My sessions are shot in the outdoors and nature, which means we will be doing a lot of moving around and exploring whilst capturing your family. So whether it's a flowy dress, t-shirt and jeans, or a pair of overalls and gumboots, Whatever suits your families style more, there is always something comfortable that will still look great in your photos!
On top of this, the best outfit will always be one you FEEL good in. If you don’t feel good in your outfit, it will show up in your photos, and you’ll probably be counting the minutes until our session is over. This is definitely NOT what we want! We want you and your family to be as relaxed as you can, and choosing an outfit that doesn't make you stress or feel insecure about every angle (trust me, I get it!), will definitely go a long way!
Colour coordinating, Textures and Patterns
Colours play a big role in your photos, as they are one of the first things you notice in an image. For my sessions, I recommend an earthy/natural/outdoorsy colour palette, as this suits my style of editing and photography most! Colours like muted greens, browns, beiges, yellows, oranges, denims, and of course shades like greys, blacks and off whites, etc, tend to look the best and really bring your families adventurous side! Focusing on the colour palette will bring a sense of cohesiveness in your photos, whilst still making room for everyone's individuality!. (Cohesiveness, not matching)
Patterns and Textures are another great way to add cohesiveness into your outfits. Patterns like plaids, stripes, gingham, and florals etc. You could choose a few that works together, and space them out between a few outfits. It's easy to over do it with patterns, so don't put everyone in strips, or florals. Less is more! and of course Textures are another way to add togetherness in you photos! Textures like denims, fleece, corduroy, knits, and linens etc, can help coordinate everyone's outfits without making everyone look the same.
NOTE: Sometimes if you are still struggling, the best way to try and coordinate your outfits is to finish one outfit first, and build everyone else's around it. So have Mum or Dad choose an outfit they love, then build everyone else's around colours/patterns/textures on that outfit.
Accessories
Accessories are a great add to your outfits as well. It’s like a tiny way to add more individual sparks of yourself in your photos! So if Dad has a favourite sports cap, or Mum has a favourite bracelet, definitely add them to your outfits! Little knitted beanies and sun hats, are so welcomed as well!
Layers
You can also add layers with things like shirts over t-shirts, jackets, vests, a sweater over a dress etc. These help to bring dimension into your outfits and create even more fun outfits!
Matchy matchy
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 an awkward family photoshoot(totally would shoot one though), I don't recommend matching.
Logos and Graphics
Logos and Graphics are usually not welcomed in family portraits, as they can be distracting in the image. But as long as it's not neon or brightly coloured, or super large, you are more than welcome to wear it for your photos!
Note:
If you are still unsure about your outfits, or are struggling a wee bit, you can absolutely show me your outfits and I'll guide in the right direction! Or, If you need more visual inspo, Pinterest is a great visual guide as well! (If you don't have Pinterest I'm happy to put together a board for you to visualise with!)
Before the Session (Check list)
- 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 want to bring some snacks, you are more than welcome! Try make sure they are non-staining.
- Make sure you have study the route to the location. This can help ease the stress of travel for you, especially when journeying with younger kids. Being confident in where you are heading, makes for a more relaxing drive for everyone!
- 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 involved in the session. Talk to your kids and let them know whats happening. Get them excited or casually bring it up to help ease any fears they may have. You know your kiddos, so let them know however is best, as this will make them feel like this is something they are involved in, rather than something that is happening to them (this method also works for Dads as well...).
NOTE: If your kiddos are overwhelmed or a bit shy, absolutely bring their favourite toy or blanket, or their favourite pair of butterfly wings and we'll work around it. I can take some shots with it, and bargain for some without! As your little ones being comfortable and feeling safe is just as important as you feeling comfortable and safe! We definitely want this to be an experience that everyone leaves feelings good about.
Day of Session
For the session day, we will meet up at the preferred location 10 mins (Optional) 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 exploring and movement. With gentle prompting and direction here and there to get some memorable candid moments of your family together! We'll take breaks if needed, and definitely allow the little ones to explore. If the little ones aren't wanting to cooperate, do not stress! As my sessions are kid lead, so we'll go with the flow of how the kiddos are feeling in the moment. These sessions are made to be relaxed, family focused and of course fun! If feeding or nap routines coincide for anyone within our session, you can let me know as this is something we can work around during the session, or incorporate into it~
These sessions are built to be an experience, a chance to explore, and spend time with your family in the outdoors. 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, in colour and B&W. The choice of a photo being in colour of B&W is a stylistic choice, as it works best for the memory of the photo, or the colours are too muddled. So we definitely do our best to make sure your photos are just as beautiful as the day we took them was! If you have any issues regarding editing styles, I am more than happy to adjust 1-2 minimal issues you many have.