How to Prepare for Your Session

A little preparation goes a long way toward making your family session relaxed, enjoyable, and uniquely yours. Here are a few things to think about before your session.

Choosing Your Season

The obvious answer to “when should I book?” is as soon as you’re ready! But when I’m talking about timing, I’m really talking about what season you’d like your session photographed in.

Fall

Fall is one of the most popular times for family photos, and it’s easy to see why. The colors are beautiful, the light is gorgeous, and there’s something about letting the kids run, play, and explore among the fall leaves.

Another bonus? The sun sets earlier, making golden hour much more manageable when you have little ones.

Winter

Winter can be cold, but it sure is beautiful. Snowy landscapes, evergreen trees, and mountain views create a beautiful, timeless backdrop for family photos.

Spring

Spring is my personal favorite. If you haven’t already noticed, I have a bit of a flower obsession! I love photographing families surrounded by spring blooms and fresh greenery. It’s colorful, bright, and full of life.

Summer

Summer is lush, green, and beautiful, but it can also be hot. Golden hour can also be quite late in the evening, which is something to consider if you have young children.

A Little Tip

When deciding which season is right for you, look around your home and think about the colors and style of your décor. What colors would complement the room where you plan to display your portraits?

If you’re unsure, show me a photo of the room or wall where you’re planning to hang your artwork. I can help you choose a season, location, and time of day that will complement your home beautifully.

Choosing Your Location

Do you have a location that is sentimental or meaningful to your family? Choose that one - at least once. There’s something special about having your family photographed somewhere that already holds memories for you.

If you don’t have a specific location in mind, we have plenty of options:

• Parks
• Gardens
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Downtown or urban locations
• Forests
• Orchards

Think about what you want to see hanging on your walls. Do you picture:

Neutrals? Earth tones? Warm oranges and yellows? Mountains? Bright and colorful images? Something bold?

I have a collection of sample images that can help you visualize the different locations and styles. We’ll talk about this during your phone consultation and narrow down what feels right for your family.

The goal is to choose a background that fits your vision and then coordinate your outfits to complement the location and create the feeling you want your images to have.

These are the questions I ask during every consultation so I can help turn your vision into beautiful artwork for your home.

What to Wear

Choosing one outfit can be overwhelming. Choosing outfits for an entire family can feel like a full-time job!

I’ve put together Pinterest boards with clothing inspiration for each season:

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

These boards are a great starting point for seeing which colors and textures work well together.

If you’re unsure about your outfit choices, lay everything out on your bed or sofa and take a photo. Send it to me, and I’m happy to help you decide between your options.

If you have a budget for adding or changing a few pieces, let me know. I can help you choose items that coordinate with the rest of your family’s outfits without requiring you to completely replace everyone's wardrobe.

A Few Clothing Tips

• Iron or steam your clothing the night before your session so you’re not rushing the day of.
• Neutral and solid-colored nails photograph beautifully. If your nail polish is chipped, consider removing it before your session.
• If the weather allows, wear light layers. This gives you the option to add or remove a layer throughout your session.
• Choose colors and textures that complement each other rather than having everyone dressed exactly the same.

What Not to Wear

Please avoid all-black outfits and clothing with large logos or graphics. Solid colors with simple accessories tend to photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your family.

Lighting

Whenever possible, I love photographing families during golden hour — the hour leading up to sunset.

This beautiful, warm light creates a soft and flattering look in your images.

I generally avoid photographing in the middle of the day when the sun is high overhead. Without cloud coverage, this can create harsh shadows and make everyone squint.

Helpful Tips

A few little things can make your session run much more smoothly:

• Bring bug spray: If mosquitoes are out, you’ll be glad you have it!
• Glasses: If possible, bring glasses with an anti-glare coating or a second pair without glare for photos.
• Arrive 5–10 minutes early: This gives everyone a chance to get settled so we can start your session on time.
• Check your pockets: Remove cell phones, keys, and other items from your pockets before we begin.
• Check Wrists: Take off any hair ties around your wrist before your session.
• Don’t forget the socks: If we’re sitting down during your session, your socks may make an appearance! Choose a pair that coordinates with your outfit.

And for Families with Kids...

Have fun!

I’ll start with some gently posed family portraits so we can make sure we get those beautiful images where everyone is looking at the camera.

Once we’ve checked those off the list, it’s time to relax and let your family be yourselves.

Play with your kids. Run with them. Pick them up. Laugh. Explore.

Those genuine moments are some of my favorite images to capture, and they’re often the photographs that bring you right back to how it felt to be together at that exact moment.

You don't have to spend your entire session saying, “Look at the camera!”

That’s my job. ❤️

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