How to prep for your outdoor family/portrait session

Family photos are a special occasion, and I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly a possible. Here’s some tips that will walk you through every step of the portrait process to help you feel confident and prepared for your session.

Things To Do Before Your Session:

1. Make hair, nail, and/or makeup appointments for before your photoshoot. Make sure your roots are touched up and you aren’t wearing chipped nail polish. Please do not assume it will be "fixed later in photoshop".

2. Plan your outfits at least a week in advance—don’t wait until the last day, trust me! You want to wake up feeling relaxed and prepared, so plan these details out early. Feel free to text me photos of your wardrobe if you’re having a hard time choosing! I’m happy to help.

3. Prepare your kids with laid-back, low-key references to let them know what’s happening. Tell them you will be “hanging out with our friend Sunny on Saturday!” or “going to the park to play!” and keep things fun, lighthearted, and casual. Families have shared that this tip is especially helpful if they have a particularly shy child.

4. Brainstorm about special types of images you want captured. Some families know they want a very specific type of photograph taken. If you have these preferences, be sure to brainstorm them in advance and let me know as well!

5. Bring snacks, changes of clothes or anything that you feel will help the little ones be themselves.

6. Chat with me about location. I do have favorite spots because I know they will have amazing backdrops and the light that I know you want depending on the time of day we shoot. It is always best to avoid busy spots with too many distractions. Of course if dogs are involved, that will be a consideration too.

How to Dress for Your Session:

1. Obviously, dress for the weather! We want everyone comfortable!

2. Don’t wear matching clothes— no more jeans-and-matching-shirts these days! Instead, wear colors in a complimentary color palette, such as earth tones and neutrals. I recommend sticking to a color palette of 2-3 colors. Pinterest has incredible "what to wear" inspiration.

3. No T shirts, or shirts with writing on them! Avoid logos and "busy" patterns. And please avoid super bright colors. Those colors will bounce off your skin and you will see it.

4. Be careful about undergarments. While I am very experienced at Photoshop, editing out bra straps or undergarment lines is difficult and time-consuming. I do charge for extra editing so be mindful. Choose clothes that properly covers your undergarments, in all types of movement scenarios.

5. I recommend women wear medium or long dresses instead of pants because they capture movement and generally photograph more flatteringly. Short dresses might be a challenge when we do any seated photos, so keep that in mind. And if you prefer pants, make sure you can move in those pants.

6. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in. If your dress gets suddenly too short when you bend over, or your pants are too tight to sit down in, opt for more breathable pieces. Be prepared to move! Outdoor sessions are usually on uneven surfaces. Heels are just impractical and can make you miserable. If you really want to be in heels, bring a pair of flip flops for walking from site to site.

7. Remind EVERYONE to take bulky items like phones and car keys out of their pockets before we start snapping photos. No one wants to see that rectangle in your pocket.

8. Remember these are ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS.  Please wear what makes you comfortable and happy. 

What to Bring to Your Photo Session:

1. Any personal appearance touchup items you might want, including things like lipstick or a hairbrush.

2. Snacks on snacks on snacks, and if necessary, treats to bribe kiddos with! (However, it’s best not to tell kids about the treats before the session; wait until the kids start getting fatigued before you pull out candy card! They’ll usually perk right up then!) Also, make sure the snacks/treats won’t stain lips or fingers!

3. Walkable shoes. We will probably be walking short/moderate distances on unpaved trails, possibly with hills. Walkable shoes are a must! If you just love your wedges, bring them to change into before we start shooting.

4. A change of clothes for the kiddos, in case anyone gets muddy or dirty. As a photographer, I love when kids interact fully with their surroundings, and I’m thrilled to photograph them playing in water or running through the grass. As a parent, you might not be too keen to let them back into your car, covered in mud. Feel free to bring a change of clothes or shoes. Maybe even a towel. You never know!!

5. If you are bringing your dog(s) PLEASE always bring a leash, collar, treats and poop bags. Leashes are used outdoors to keep your dog and others safe. It is edited out later.

How to Pose During Your Photo Session:

This is the most important part of this whole blog post, so be sure to read carefully!

1. No need to ‘Cheese’! I’m chasing natural interactions and unposed moments. I strive to capture and encourage authentic expressions. No need to coax your children into fake smiles!

2. On a related note, children around the ages of 5-10 will sometimes try to “cheese” in the photos, because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to do when they see a camera! Help me create more candid shots by interacting playfully with your children.

3. Laugh, play, tickle, and snuggle. This is how we’ll capture the REAL moments.

4. Not everyone has to be looking at the camera. Actually, I usually encourage my gentlemen to NOT look at the camera. (they seem to prefer that, as well!) I like to especially encourage my dads to focus on their partners and their kids.

5. When in doubt, just smile and look at your family lovingly.

6. Stand close together. Actually, as close as possible :)

7. Relax, slow down, and don’t force anything. Don’t feel pressured to make everything perfect! Just be present with your family and I’ll do the rest. And don’t stress if any of the kids get fussy! As a former teacher and thoroughly experienced photographer, I’ve seen it all before, trust me. Just snuggle your kiddos and we can still capture beautiful images :)

8. Expect me to move you around to different spots to capture images. The more variety we get, the bigger your gallery and the more great shots we have the opportunity to create together!

What to Expect After Your Photo Session:

After your session, your work is almost done! You can let your hair down, put your feet up, and relax a little bit.

1. After your session, I will be working hard behind the scenes to cull the best photos (eliminating duplicates, blurs, and blinks) Time permitting I may post a sneak peek on the socials (unless you request otherwise). Your gallery is typically ready within 2 weeks of your session.

2. Your gallery will come by email. From there you will choose your images based on your package and have the option to purchase additional if you choose. No pressure sales.

3. PRINT THOSE PHOTOS!

And that’s it! The complete checklist for guiding you through your family photography session. Thank you for choosing me to be your trusted photographer. I can’t wait to love on your family and leave you with beautiful artwork you will love for decades to come.