I am excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your mini session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your photoshoot. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having my photos taken – and I do this for other people all the time!

Regardless of the season that you’re in, and whether your babies are big, small or furry, this time in your life deserves to be captured by something other than your iPhone.

Children change quickly. Loved ones pass away. And so much of life can be missed because we didn’t stop to soak it in. That’s why I love family photography. You can remember those snippets in time, the people you love, and the kids you’ve raised for forever.

My goal is to capture you and your loved ones doing what you do best – being yourselves. And hey, if I can make you laugh and have fun while we do so, then that’s an even bigger win. I know we only have 15 minutes together, but we can still use that time to get some amazing pictures you’ll cherish forever. There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session. Since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be the most beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know. I’ll cover what to wear, what to expect, how it works, and more!

WE WILL START ON TIME

Since this is a mini session, I have sessions booked back to back. Please plan accordingly if you are changing outfits when you get here, traffic, etc so we can start on time and not feel as rushed. I recommend you plan to arrive about 10 minutes early so you have a little bit of a “buffer” in case you end up running late.

If you are late to the session, I cannot go past your end time to make up for it, so please keep that in mind!

I set a timer at the start of our session, give a 3 minute warning alarm, and then stop when the time is up. This is to keep everything flowing smoothly.

PREPPING YOUR LITTLES

Before your session, pack a bag with snacks, water and any small objects (like toys or lollipops) that might help me get their attention when it’s time for them to look at the camera. If they are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. Explain how much the photos mean to you so they know to be on their best behavior. A lot of families discuss and pick something fun in advance as a treat after the session if they’re good listeners, like an ice cream cone, for example.

It also helps if their bellies are full and they’ve has some good rest beforehand. Once your prepare them physically and mentally, then feel free to give them (and you!) grace! They’re little, and I know that some days don’t always go as planned. I’ve seen it all and will make sure to get you great photos, regardless of their moods. My goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you and your family!

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

As you’re coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.” In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through.

The goal for coordinating a family is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. The more we can mix that up, the better. I encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate. When you’re planning each family member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’s going to look great all together.

For the Ladies– Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera. Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images.

When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses photograph beautifully, but if you have little ones in your photos, a floor-length dress or skirt, or perhaps a cute midi-skirt, will make moving around with your kids much easier, and look perfect on camera, too.

For the Gents– Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face.

So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts and sandals at home, too, as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants or fitted colored pants work best on camera. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also recommend staying away from graphics and logos.

Picking Colors & Outfits– When  choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, and big patterns it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and green, and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments. If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, one of your daughters could wear a dress and flats, while the other wears a skirt and boots. One of your sons could wear a bowtie, while the other one wears suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring a great visual interest to the photos.

BUT WHAT IF THERE IS BAD WEATHER? I DON’T KNOW HOW TO POSE!

If weather is an issue, I will be in contact with you as soon as possible. In the case that we need to reschedule, I will do my best to find a new date that works best for you and your family. 

I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for your photoshoot and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let me know what works best for the two of you – but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance. 

When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make you laugh – and that’s the photo I’m actually looking for. 

Throughout your session, I’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together! 

Thank you for reading! I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your session! However if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email me at tawnyrochellephoto@gmail.com