Hi! I am so excited for your upcoming family session. This guide will help you prepare for your session. You find details on choosing a location, styling tips, and what to expect during and after your session. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via text or e-mail with any questions before your session. I also encourage you to join my client VIP group where I share styling tips and other info that maybe help prior to your session.

Locations

Family sessions are available in-home or outdoors. Both are great options and provide such a difference vibe for your session.

My outdoor sessions typically take place at sunset or sunrise. I have personal favorites that I can suggest but I also love shooting at a new location.  Shooting at sunset or sunrise provides that gorgeous light you often see in my images. Sunset tends to get late for some families in the summer. Please plan to have your child nap later in the day or consider sunrise for your session. As a mama of two children, I know how hard it is to get out the door on time. Plan to arrive on time and ready to start your session. Your session is scheduled according to the light so please plan for traffic etc. Plan to arrive to session early if you need time to get your little ones dressed or settled.  Lastly,  we are often shooting in tall grass or fields that may contain bugs, please apply or bring bug spray for your family.  If you prefer to avoid tall grass, let me know prior to picking a location. 

If we are shooting in your home, we usually start around 10 am but that timing is flexible. We often times can grab some images outdoors too. I  am not expecting to walk into a perfectly clean home! I know how hard it can be just to get everyone ready, yet alone clean your home! I recommend choosing 2-3 rooms to declutter. Remeber it does not have to be perfect! Sometimes clearly nightstands or moving large items you would not want in images is enough. I will also move things if I need to on the day of your session. I will choose shooting locations based on the natural light in that room during our session. If there are activities you want to capture, such reading to your little one or dancing in the kitchen, let me know prior to the session.

What to Wear

Wardrobe is such an important part of your family session. Every full session includes access to an online styling site and help from me. You will receive a code to access the site with your session prep. On the site, you can dress your family based on colors or styles. They offer lots of options and show how accessories and layering can add so depth to your images. You can purchase items directly from the shops in the store or use it as a guide on what to buy. Your clothing should reflect your family style!  I always recommend that mom finds something she feels amazing in, then work the rest of the family off of that. I really do encourage Moms to wear a dress. Long dresses that have are have movement. Dresses that have some transparency, texture and allow movement photography so beautifully! I am happy to help you decide what looks best.

After you choose your clothing, dress the rest of the family. I suggest coordinating vs. matching  Avoid neon/bright colors, clothing with words/large logos on the front, and overly large bows on babies. You can uses hats, tall socks, or other accessories to had layers to your family’s wardrobe. Lastly, dressing for the temperature outside is so important! If you’re kids are cold and miserable that will not photograph well. Embrace the cold with layers and cute accessories. For in home sessions, choose clothing that everyone can cuddle up in on the  floor or dance in the kitchen to.  Barefoot is the best for this type of session.  

I am more than happy to help with any clothing  questions or concerns. I encourage you to text or e-mail while you’re out shopping or putting clothing together. I am also happy to share some of my favorite shops to kids or yourself.

Children

One thing you will NOT hear me say to your child is “say cheese”.  I never force a child to sit still and smile at the camera. Every child is different, so I try to do what works best for each one. Some children take some time to warm up and some are ready to go! I am more than happy to give a shy child the time that they need. Some children   want to held by mom the whole time and that is perfectly ok too!  There is also time to run, play games, or have a mess free snack, if needed. This session is a time to relax and just be with your children and partner. I am not expecting perfectly behaved children. Trust me when I say, the chaos brings emotion and movement to your images. I will guide you and your family in poses but it also ok for you to just be natural with your spouse and children. Sing, talk,  or play with family just as you would if I was not present. Being yourselves is what will create the images you love. There are no rules or expectations! I will guide you and the rest will go from there, I promise!! 

After your Session

Once your session is complete, I will post a sneak peek on Facebook and Instagram, usually by the following day. You are welcome to share this post with family and friends! Once your gallery is complete, typically within 2-4 weeks, you will receive an email for access to a private online gallery. It will be open for download for 2 weeks. I highly recommend printing your images through me or a high quality printer such as MPIX. I can not guarantee color quality at places like Walgreens, etc.

-Angie