Session Planning
Clothing
Overall, your clothing should represent you and the image you want to project in the shots. What you wear should be comfortable and allow for different poses both standing and sitting. Muted color tones work best in portraits, and we recommend avoiding stripes and small patterns (especially pinstripes and micro-check) as these usually do not photograph well. Please wear presentable footwear since they may appear in the shots.
Coordinated clothing is essential for a great family photo…
Outfit Changes - We love changes of clothing, but we must be at a location where the change can be completed. Also remember that changes of clothing will lengthen the session time required.
Hats – We know some will want to be wearing a hat or cap in their photos, and this is totally fine. Please remember that most types of hats create shadows on the face, which will show up in photographs.
Families - Plan outfits with a similar color tone and overall feel (don’t mix formal with casual). Avoid having extremely bright clothing or having only one member wearing brightly colored clothes.
Seniors – Feel free to bring along a sports jersey or a school shirt as a change of clothing.
Props
You are welcome and encouraged to bring along props that you would like to have included in the shots. Some examples might include sports equipment (football, baseball bat, basketball), musical instruments (violin, flute, guitar), graduation items (diploma, cap, gown), or sentimental items.
Pets
We are happy to include family pets in the portraits if the selected location allows pets. The client will have all responsibility for controlling and managing their pets, and the addition of pets into the portraits will likely result in longer session times.
Smiles
It is highly recommended that each person in the session practice their closed mouth and open mouth smiles before the day of the session. We will do our best to get people to smile, but the session will go much smoother, and the photographs will be much better, if everyone practices ahead of time.
Hair and Makeup
Remember to bring anything you might need to redo or touch-up your hair and makeup during the session, especially in hot weather or with changes of outfits.
Session Time
We are happy to spend as much time with you as our schedule will allow. However, please remember that the initial session fee is for up to one hour. and then additional fees are charged per 15-minute increment beyond the first hour (as outlined in the photography agreement). Some things that will lead to longer sessions include being late for the session time, multiple changes of clothing, multiple locations, and the inclusion of pets.