Planning Your family
Portrait Session
I'm so glad you're here
I’m so glad you have decided to have your family photographed at this time! My hope for your sessions is that I am able to document what makes your family unique, magical, and filled with love! I want to do this in a way that feels authentic to your family. Capturing connection between a family is so important! When you look back at these photos, I hope that you will feel something. For your kids, I want to catch all their silliness, and funny facial expressions, and how much they love their favorite stuffie. For your family, I want to press pause on these moments filled with love, and joy, and beautiful chaos! And, yes, of course, I want to capture a few posed shots too! I’m so looking forward to documenting this time for you! It’s going to be so much fun!
- amanda
You've got this!
It’s normal to be a little anxious about your session. You’re a busy family with quite a few things on your plate.
That’s actually one of the reasons why I put together this guide. It covers things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a location, outfits, prepping kids and more.
Hopefully it helps you feel fully prepared for our time together, but should you have any other questions or if you need advice, please feel free to reach out!
Managing litte ones
One thing we’ve learned over the years is that our experience of our children is different from what others experience. I know that can feel a little stressful when you feel like they need to behave perfectly for a photo session, but trust me, kids will be kids and that is ok!
Your child is in a new element and a stranger is holding a big camera in front of their face. They’re likely not going to entirely be themselves. They may show off more than usual or your extrovert may suddenly become shy. They may melt down at some point. Rest assured, it’s all okay! Don’t feel embarrassed. It happens, and we will get through it!
My goal is to arrive very casually, meet your kids (maybe even ask them for a tour of their room or to show me some of their favorite toys! We want to keep this light a low pressure!
The best thing you can do for your kids is to go with the flow and stay positive. The more you relax and have fun with things, the more likely your little one (or big one,) is to get on board.
It can also be helpful to have a few fun activities for little ones. Favorite toys or favorite books are all great! Bribes can sometimes work, but more often than not, they become the focus of little ones throughout the session who become upset when they realize the session is longer than five minutes. My main goal is to hang out with your kids and capture them in their element.
I’ll usually knock out some posed photos first and then move on to more activity driven images. Kids really don’t do well under the pressure of performance (does anyone really?)…so the more relaxed you are, the more likely they will find a smile or two in them and I will work really hard to get everything in between! Activities are so great because kids forget they are being photographed and act like kids and that is the magic stuff for images!
And if you are a mama in the toddler phase, I’m right there with you! I know at this age, we are still working on listening, and attention spans are short! I promise, I will work hard for you to get images of this busy, busy time!
More Tips for Managing Littles and Bigs TOo
What if my partner would rather have a root canal than take photos?
I get it! I don’t always love being on the other side of the camera either. My best advice to you would be to communicate to your partner that these images are important to you. I understand that it can feel like it’s going to be awkward, but I’ve got you! I don’t expect you to be a professional model and I will guide you through this process. Once the first 10 or so minutes are done, your nerves will be greatly diminished and you may even, dare I say it…start having fun! And if all of that kind of makes you feel better, but you’re not totally there – some nice lavender essential oils or a mimosa can help!
Speaking of breakfast….or lunch…or snacks. Make sure everyone has had a snack before I arrive! No one does well when hungry. Keep the hanger at bay! And to that point, try your best to make sure everyone has had a good night’s rest the night before!
Do I need to prep my home in any certain way?
The most important thing you can do is let the natural light in! Open the blinds, shades, or window treatments in your home to let in the most natural light as possible. That can even be opening the front door if you have a storm door that is all glass to let in some extra light.
Tidying up a little is never a bad idea. It doesn’t have to be immaculate, but you want to put away things that may distract you later when you’re looking at the images. Tuck away the iPhone cords and make sure the rooms you want to shoot in feel a little put together.
Putting on a little music can set a nice mood. Be sure to turn off the tv!
A NOTE ABOUT
Newborns
If I’ll be photographing the newest members of your family, the following tips below will help ensure everyone is happy throughout the session.
01
Preparing Your Baby
Feed and change your little one’s diaper right before we arrive. This helps ensure that they are ready to go as soon as we arrive. However due to the tiny size of their tummies, it’s also likely that they’ll need another feed (and maybe a diaper change) during the shoot.
Please don’t worry about pausing the session to feed your little one. This is normal! I plan extra time for newborn sessions.
Preparing Your Home
While your entire house doesn’t need to look like it’s ready for Pinterest, I do recommend cleaning up the nursery and any places you think we might shoot. This might include your bed, the couch or a spot in your home with beautiful natural light. Open the window treatments in rooms you think we will shoot in to let in the most natural light. But truly, that’s all you need to prep. I know you’re in the throes of newborn life and we won’t judge the pile or dishes in the sink or baby paraphernalia that has suddenly taken over the house.
02
03
Dear Mama
This is a season when you might not quite feel like yourself. A fresh outfit you feel good in goes a long way. If you have the opportunity to pamper yourself with a blowout or having your makeup done, this is a great day to do it.
Session days are also a good day to take others up on that offer to help. You are one hard working mama and if you have time to nap, shower and get ready in peace, you’re going to love these images a lot more.
Outfits for everyone else
When thinking about outfits, I recommend coordinating your outfits rather than matching them. A good rule of thumb is picking a few colors or tones and weaving them throughout each outfit. Neutrals and pastels photograph really well for newborn sessions. Brighter colors or neon tones can often reflect back on soft newborn skin and leave a color cast that is impossible to edit out. You’ve likely realized this by now, but babies can be a bit messy. It’s always a good idea to plan an extra outfit just in case. Avoid pure whites (think the onesies in a pack). Off-white, creams, and ivory photograph much better! But most importantly, wear something that makes you feel good!
04
05
Jaundice and Baby Acne
If the baby is showing signs of jaundice, please let me know. This is not something that is able to be edited out and we may want to look at rescheduling. If your baby has some minor baby acne, don’t sweat it. This is usually pretty easy to touchup. If your baby is battling a more intense rash (I totally understand – our little guy had a Cow’s milk allergy), let’s talk it through and decide if we need to look at another date.
Timing for newborn sessions
We love to photograph newborn sessions in your home when you get the brightest natural light of the day (usually morning t0 mid-day, but sometimes can be afternoon, everyones home is different)! Natural light is light that comes through the windows without overhead lights or lamps on. Take note of the lighting in the rooms you want to shoot in several weeks before your session. The other things we aim for is a sleepy baby, so if we can plan to shoot the majority of your session during a nap, it is often the most stress-free experience. We understand this isn’t always possible, but it’s just a goal to work towards. Please plan to set aside 2 hours for your newborn session! While they typically do not take that long, a fussy baby, blowout, or need for breaks can sometimes call for extra time and we don’t want you to feel stressed about time constraints.
06
TIME & LIGHT
Is there a "good" time of day to take photos?
I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” our clients have in mind, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour to an hour and a half for family sessions and an hour and a half to two hours for newborn sessions. When I can—I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset for outdoor sessions. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
If your session is happening indoors, you will need to factor in when you get the best natural light in your home and plan around that.
Sunset & Bedtimes
In the warmer months, sunset sessions often fall during the witching hour. They may even fall during or after bedtime.
As much as we personally love a consistent bedtime routine, in order to capture the best light during “golden hour”, we’re likely going to need to throw off your schedule a bit.
If our session takes place close to dinnertime, we recommend feeding kids (and yourselves!) before we begin shooting.
If your little one is going to be going to bed later, consider pushing their nap a bit that day, letting them sleep longer or packing pj’s so that you can quickly tuck them into bed as soon as you get home.
SEASONALITY
If your session takes place in the fall, while it might be tempting to dress your little one in a pumpkin costume to eternally remember the cuteness that babies in costumes in giant piles of leaves holds, we advise keeping attire a little more neutral.
Yes, that image would crush it on the ‘gram, but if you’re hoping to print these images for your walls, will you always want to see that pumpkin costume?
The same holds true for images taken for Christmas cards. While those red and green sweaters might be worthy of the Minted hall of fame, are you really going to want to look at photos of yourselves in holiday sweaters in the summer?
If you’re looking for outfit advice, feel free to send ideas my way! I’m happy to help curate a wardrobe that not only feels coordinated, but that looks beautiful for years to come.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Summer
In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! It’s wide open kids, late bed times, beach and river sessions, and beautiful chaos! Summer sessions tend to lead to a more lifestyle vibe, because kids are on less of a routine. We try to embrace the chaos and capture kids being kids! If you’re taking your photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session. It’s hot, ya’ll!
Winter
Locations
OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOOT
While most sessions take place at our client’s homes, we’re happy to make session location recommendations. From parks, to college campuses, to a favorite activity, the options for session locations are endless!
CLASSIC & ELEGANT
Front Porch
Historic Buildings
College Campus
COASTAL
NC/SC Beaches
NC/SC Beach Towns
River
Goose Creek State Park (Washington)
URBAN
Downtown/Uptown
Murals
Museums
Parks
Fred Fletcher (Ral)
NC Art Museum (Ral)
Historic Oak View County Park (Ral)
Eno River Park (Durham)
Town Commons (Greenville)
Activities
Games at Home
Cooking or Baking
A Day at the Park
Ice Cream or Donuts
Day in the Life at Home
Bubble Machines
Legos/Puzzles
ADVENTURE
Hiking
Sailing / Boating
Bicycles
Fun on the Beach
Managing furry ones
We know that some family members just happen to be furry and I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. This works well and is super easy if we’re at your home! If we’re not at home, keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
If not at home, we recommend planning for your pet to be at the last part of your session. This way you can focus on your session and not be distracted by what your pet is getting into. A friend or family can bring your pet in the last 20 minutes of your session.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
wardrobe selection
Choosing Outfits
Above all else, I want you to feel like yourself and feel confident! If you have killer style, you probably don’t need to read through these!
When picking outfits we recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if Dad is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the Mom may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
A good rule of thumb: pick 2-3 colors and spread them throughout the family. Don’t be afraid to mix a few subtle patterns or textures (such as linen).
You also want to keep the location in mind (both where we’re shooting and where you may want to display the photos in your home). If we’re shooting in a green field, light green dresses might blend in too much with the surroundings. If you have a specific spot in mind to display your images, make sure your choices blend with the aesthetic. Click through for more wardrobe advice.
for the ladies
Wardrobe Tips
For newborn sessions and at home sessions, barefoot is best for everyone! We’re going for a comfortable, at-home vibe. For outdoor sessions, heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking or we’ll be in grass, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots or wear a nice pair of sandals.
We love the way larger patterns and textures (like linen) photograph – just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small – it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph well! We also love color and bright colors can be really fun. You just want to be very mindful if they reflect back onto your skin and cause a color cast! You want to avoid neon colors. We love bright, neon dresses, but we don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion. Click through for more tips!
for the ladies
Accessories and Details
Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress. Some fun shoes or accessories add something special to an outfit.
Your hands and feet will appear in photos, so if you want to have your nails painted, this is a great time!
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in the outfit that you choose! Don’t be afraid to dress up, but above all else make sure you feel like yourself in the outfit you pick! This is the most important thing when it comes to outfit selections! I want you to feel like yourself. Click through for more tips!
for the ladies
Hair & Makeup
We think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your photos. Investing in professional hair and makeup can go a long way towards creating photos you love for years.
Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better in humidity and wind.
If you go this route, we recommend staying a bit “classic”. Now probably isn’t the best time to try out that new contouring technique you saw on TikTok.
If you’re planning to do any spray tans, schedule those for a few days before the session to give it time to settle in. Click through for more tips!
for the gents
Wardrobe
You can’t go wrong with crisp button up. Or consider layering a blazer or sweater with jeans with this look.
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small – it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors – especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months. Again, what is most important is that you feel confident and comfortable. in your outfit! Click through for more tips!
for the kids
Wardrobe
The goal is to coordinate, not match! We understand that kids can be fussy when it comes to outfits, but do your best to coordinate them with yours.
We are also a fan of neutrals because of how much easier it is to coordinate outfits with this color palette.
We want to capture your kids being themselves, so the goal for them is also to be comfortable, but put together! Click through for more tips!
Inclement Weather
It’s typical for us to schedule two session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and we’ve found that the best way to make sure our families get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
We’ll check in the week of your session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for your family, but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
POSING
"What do I do with my hands"?
When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. Sometimes kids are wide open during sessions and sometimes they are shy. It may take a little while for them to warm up! We usually try to knock out all the formal poses in the beginning and then add in some games/activities to get more candid photos! And remember, the most important thing is to interact and enjoy your family!
We will do our best to keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
Extended Family Sessions
1
Please send us all family groupings ahead of time so that while we’re shooting, we understand who should be photographed together.
While you don’t need to draw us a family tree (although bonus points if you do!) something like this would work well:
Grandma – Jean
Grandfather – Max
Sam (son of Jean + Max) and Tina.
Their Kids: Jason (10), Julianne (5) and Jack (2)
Elizabeth (daughter of Jean + Max) and Paul
Their Kids: Austin (9) and Claire (6)
2
When it comes to choosing outfits for larger families, we recommend coordinating with one another ahead of time. Photographs typically come out best when families choose a color palette or a few colors over wearing the exact same thing (think: the white polo and khaki photo uniform of the 90’s).
Outfits that feel a bit special, but that you still feel comfortable in generally result in the best images.
If you need any advice in this area, just let us know!
3
When it comes to choosing a location for larger groupings, there are a few extra elements to keep in mind. Locations should be easy to access, limit walking and be safe for young children.
While we can get away with shooting small families in a downtown setting, for larger families, we’ll need a bit of space to spread out. Family homes with larger yards (and open shade), parks and outdoor settings typically work best for extended families.
4
Following the session, we’ll deliver a slideshow with the edited images. Once you’ve purchased your collection, you will have one month to view your gallery, use your print credit, and make any additional purchases from the online store. Please let us know ahead of time who should have access to this slideshow. If you send us a list of the email addresses, we can set those up at the time of delivery to give all necessary parties access.
- Entire Family
- Grandparents + Their Children
- Grandparents + Their Children + Spouses
- Child A + Child B
- Grandparents + Child A + Child A's Family
- Grandparents + Child B + Child B's Family
- Child A + Child A's Family
- Child A Kids
- Child A Spouse + Kids
- Child A + Kids
- Child A + Spouse
- Individual photos of all members of Child A’s Family
- Child B + Child B's Family
- Child B + Spouse
- Child B + Kids
- Child B Spouse + Kids
- Child B's
- Individual photos of all members of Child B’s Family
FREQUENTLY asked QUESTIONS
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A:
While turnaround times can vary by season, we aim to deliver images within three weeks of your session.
Q:
HOW will i receive my images?
A:
No digital images are included with your session fee. When your images are ready, you will receive a slideshow of your images that you will have access to for 48 hours. Once you’ve had a chance to view and enjoy your images, you will be able to select a collection which includes a number digital downloads and a dollar amount of print credit to use in our online store.
Q:
A:
Any digital images included in your final collection are able to be shared on social media. To ensure that our work is properly represented, we ask that you refrain from any edits. We also appreciate image credits and tags as they help us to continue to grow as a business.
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Once you have viewed your slideshow and purchased your collection, you will have access to your online gallery for one month to select your digital downloads included in your collection and to use your print credit or make any additional purchases from the online store. We guarantee that your images will remain backed up for at least one year. While we may continue to back up your images longer than that, we cannot guarantee it. Please be sure to backup your digital images to the cloud or an external hard drive.
Q:
A:
One of the best parts of all of our collections is that each includes a print credit that you can use in our online store. We have spent time curating beautiful, heirloom, print products through our professional labs that you can have shipped right to your doorstep. Paper quality, color correction and a handful of other factors play a big role in the way your prints turn out and what we guarantee when printing through our store. All that said, I recognize that you may still want to print your images yourself, and thanks to those digital files, you absolutely can! I recommend mpix.com for online prints. Be sure to de-select any color correction options, and be sure to upload the original files you downloaded, not copies. The files you receive from me should allow you to print up to 24×30.
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When to expect
Your Images
As soon as possible after your session is complete, we’ll back up your images and begin the editing process. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your slideshow 3 weeks after your session. Once you are ready to click the link in your slideshow, I encourage you to make an event of viewing your images! Gather your family and take it all in together! Remember, your slideshow is only available for 48 hours or until you purchase your collection – whichever comes first. Once you’ve purchased your collection, you will have access to your gallery and your slideshow for one month! Your gallery will be preset with your print credit and set for you to download the number of digital files that corresponds with your collection!
Bring Your Images to Life with prints
We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: twenty-five years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.
But prints? Those last. I bet your family still has images from your grandparents (maybe even great grandparents.) And that was likely from a time period when cameras were expensive and prints were harder to come by.
Deckled Edge
Hand torn fine art prints that are truly unique with a rich and textured finish. Each print is carefully torn to reveal a soft feathered edge. An archival beauty that will stand the test of time!
Prints & Wall Art
Albums
Details for ordering will be delivered with your gallery.
Thank You!
