The most stressful topic for families are the kids. Maybe your kids decided to be "extra crazy" today. "I promise they don't act like this normally." "I don't know what has gotten into them- I'll go have a talk with them really quick." Take a deep breath- this is a change in their normal routine and I am a stranger pointing a large thing in their face. We will go with the flow, at their pace. Your heightened emotions will only upset them more. So instead of all standing straight up, we'll do more candid and fun shots of hugging and walking through a field. We will work together to get those once in a lifetime pictures, no matter what's thrown at us. Enjoy the moment you're in because you'll never be there again!
Kids
04.
Your fur babies are family. So we'll choose a pet friendly location so you can have them in the pictures! A few days before the session, pamper them. Whether you take them to the groomer, or bathe and brush them yourself, let them have a nice spa day! The day of the shoot, don't change their daily schedule up to the session time- Keep everything as normal as possible, We want their stress levels to be minimal. If they have a favorite toy or treat, bring it with you. Sometimes everyone needs a little bribery to look at the camera.
Pets
03.
Don't plan out how you want the session to go. The more things planned means the more things that could go wrong according to that plan. You see a cloudy sky instead of a sunny sky- I see stable soft lighting with not as hot of an experience! You see a rainy day- I see a more dramatic scenery and fun splashing. You see your favorite location too packed for pictures- I see an opportunity for a new location to become your new favorite. More than nature, you can't control other people. Maybe your kids decided to be "extra crazy today". So instead of posed shots, we'll do candid fun shots like walking through the field! We will work together to get those once in a lifetime pictures, no matter what's thrown at us.
Planning
02.
One of the biggest stresses for a photo shoot is "how am I supposed to look?". Be yourself. So often people will receive their photos and when they show it to someone, that person says, "whoa, that doesn't even look like you!" Wear something you'll be comfortable in. Groups should wear complimenting colors. It doesn't have to be the same for everyone - Dad could wear khaki pants with a blue and white striped shirt, Mom in a white dress with a yellow belt, Daughter in a blue dress, and Son in a yellow shirt with khaki shorts. For women, go a tad bit heavier on makeup to help translate the features of your face better. Everyone can get a haircut, but do it AT LEAST two days before the shoot. That way it's fresh, but has had time to settle back in.
Appearance
01.
Having your picture taken can be a deeply thought out process. That's why you've researched multiple photographers, found whose style you like, and decided to go forward with them. Now comes the researching on what to wear, how to match outfits, how to control your kids emotions, and all the stressful topics that go into getting ready for the session. The below topics are here to help you prepare for the shoot so when the day comes, you'll be too busy having fun and enjoying the moment that you'll forget to stress about anything.
Imperfections are Beautiful
