Hey, hey it’s almost session day!

Outdoor Family Session: What should I bring?

  • Lint roller

  • Haircare supplies

  • Water

  • Beer! Sometimes having an alcoholic beverage (just one for the adults) at the start of your session helps relieve a lot of tension and stress.

  • Any personal/keepsake items you wish to incorporate.

  • If your location has water and you plan to have your family play in it, bring extra clothes for the ride home.

  • Walkable shoes: some locations require a bit of walking. These can be your photo shoes or just and extra pair to trade out when changing areas.

  • Baby carrier or stroller- Again, some locations require a bit of walking. It might be easier to pop baby and/or items in the stroller instead of carrying them.

  • Chapstick to keep lips looking fresh!

  • Wipes and/or Kleenex

Indoor Session:

  • A lot of the stuff above applies here.

  • Your home does not need to be perfectly clean. All I ask is that you tidy up a bit. Take care of any soda cans/water bottles, kleenex boxes, extra pillows/blankets you might have lying around, etc. You only have to take care of the rooms you plan to use during your family session + any area in another room that might be visible.

  • I may move some of your furniture around so that I can ensure we have the best light on your faces. Please let me know at anytime if that is not okay.

  • Your family can do shoes inside or we can just let the toes spread out because these sessions are intended to be more relaxed.

What should I expect during my session?

  • Expect to snuggle, tickle, and love on your children.

  • Always be engaged (happy face) because you might be included in photos at anytime- sometimes directly and other times in the background. This could be you playing with your other child(ren) off in the distance or watching the person being photographed directly. Parents, while you’re engaged with your child(ren), don’t forget about you! Try to remember to keep good posture and try to not allow your chin to pull in. These allow for the most flattering images. Rest assured that I will be watching all of you and will definitley let you know if something is out of place.

  • During the shoot, if you are not in frame (maybe behind me or off to the side), please let me just interact with your child. Many parents will try to stand behind me to get their little one to smile. I appreciate the help, but all it does is distract the child.

  • You only need to look at the camera when asked. I want you to engage with your family, not me. I will get the one shot of everyone looking but my main goal is to capture connection.

  • just enjoy the day with your family; hold hands, gently rub their face/back/arms, play with hair, tell your family you love them or compliment their {insert thing}, and just be playful!

  • Expect to get moved around a bit. I like to create a full gallery with different looks.

  • Just relax and go with the flow. I want you to be present with your children so i can capture those in-between moments.

  • Stand close to each other, and always be touching your “neighbor” as much as possible. I want that connection!

  • My rule of the day- your children are fine just being playful so long as they are not in any harm or going to harm anyone else. I am pretty good at redirecting and distracting, so I ask that you refrain from yelling at your children. It will make them shut down and your session will be over. I will let them know what I need from them, and if I can’t get it, I have no issues changing things up to direct their attention back to the task at hand.