Family Sessions

My family sessions run almost identically to my children's portrait session. The main difference is that mom and dad are now involved. That gives you an opportunity to get pictures of the whole crew, plus we'll definitely sneak in some lovey-dovey pictures of you and your significant other into the mix, as well. Maybe we can even catch some genuine kiddo reactions -- we all know how receptive they are to mom and dad kisses!

For my family portrait sessions, I like to capture a healthy variety of different kinds of pictures. I set up both poses and capture candids of each child alone, different sibling pairings and pictures of children and parents together. These are really playful sessions that will not only provide you with some wall-worthy pictures, but also with a lifelong memory.

I also want to make sure that I get some amazing photographs of the parents together. It's nice to have a picture of just you and your spouse, so it's important to me that I include several of those pictures in all of my family sessions.

Like my children's portrait sessions, I allow for unlimited outfit changes and even scene changes. I also don't put a limit on how many people are allowed to enter the picture. I don't discriminate against large families, no siree! Both parents and all immediate kiddos are invited to this family session party, so let's rock it out!

What to Wear: Tips for Selecting Your Wardrobe

A lot of people ask what they should wear to their photo session? After all, these photographs will become a staple in your family frames and albums for years to come. Choosing timeless, yet appropriate attire will lend to the positive outcome of your photo shoot.

If it’s an indoor session, choosing soft, warm colors can be very pleasing to the lens. Outdoors, you can opt for bolder colors, earth tones or contrasting, such as big stripes paired with a solid color. Pinstripes or small dots generally do not photography well. Wearing accessories can add a nice touch, but try to avoid accessories that are too big as they may overshadow your face.

Here are some general tips to follow for selecting your wardrobe:

·        Choose soft colors, such as pink, light blue, lavender, yellow, etc. for dreamy looks

·        Choose bold colors such as red, black, dark blue, purple or orange for dramatic looks

·        Minimal accessories are best, as too big or too many can detract from the image

·        For children, bring outfits that have a lot of creativity behind them. They can be fun, layered looks, sporty, textures (tutus and ruffles for girls look so cute!), jeans, khakis, sweaters, skirts, dresses, etc. “Sunday” wear dress code works well.

·        Avoid character t-shirts, shirts with sayings, etc.

·        Don’t forget the shoes and socks. Men, avoid wearing white socks with dress shoes. Make sure your shoes are clean, not raggedy or muddy. Barefoot photos can also be fun! For the women, boots, heels, sandals or dress shoes look great.

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Frequently Asked Questions

1)    May we bring props to our session?

Props can add interest and personality to your photos. If you would like to include props, please let me know ahead of time so I can plan accordingly. 

2)    How long do sessions last?

Session time varies depending on the package you select. Mini sessions are approx. 15-20 minutes while regular sessions span average about an hour.

3)    Will you suggest a location for the session?

I’d loved to share some of my favorite places! Don’t feel like you are limited to my suggestions. Also, please keep in mind that when kids are involved, it’s best to stick to one setting, such as a park or playground. Pick a place where they are comfortable being themselves.

4)    How can we best prepare for the session?

Get yourself and your family excited about the session. Whether you go all out on a styled shoot or purchase new outfits for everyone. It’s great when you can involve the entire family. 

5)    When is payment due?

50% of the total cost is due at booking and the balance is due on the day of the photography session.

6)    I see a lot of ideas on Pinterest, can we suggest ideas for photos?

I have a variety of samples at my studio. During the pre-consultation I will discuss your vision and my experience. If there is an image from Pinterest that you love, create a board or bring it in and we’ll look at it together. 

7)    Is there a time that is better than others for outdoor photo sessions? 

The best time for an outdoor photo session is either early in the morning or early evening. I’ve found that the best light is usually during the hour after sunrise and or an hour prior to sunset before sunset. You can visit timeanddate.com to get an accurate time for sunset on your scheduled photo session day and then back up approx. 1 hour to 1.5 hours from that time for start time. You want to make sure to factor in extra time just in case you happen to be running late, want to change outfits during the session, etc…

8)    What is included in a session?

All sessions include travel to the location, my services during the shoot and basic editing of the images. A set number of images are provided upon completion based on the duration of session. For example, with an hour session you will usually receive a min. 35-40 images. Hi resolution images with reprint permission are including in some of our most popular packages.

9)    What type of payment do you accept? 

I accept Cash, Checks, Paypal, Venmo, Cash App and all major credit cards.

10) How long after the session until I see my photos? 

Turnaround for photos is approx. 1-2 weeks. I will usually post a few sneak peak images to social media within 24-48 hours of photographing the session, so make sure you are connected!