(360) 772-9780
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR SESSION
CHOOSE YOUR CLOTHING CAREFULLY.
It's time to get ready! Start thinking of outfit ideas, pulling clothes from your closet, and shopping for any special items. Talk to me about your vision and I can help that come to life -- I know what would pair well together so just ask! Save the hair and makeup looks that you like on Pinterest boards to your phone to show your makeup artist if you've hired one. If you're bringing a pet and they need to be leashed, bring some cute rope instead of a plain leash!
​
For some incredibly helpful outfit styling ideas, click here and here! I also have a client closet that I enjoy adding pieces to!
​
Be sure you're considering your location, the time of year, and what you want your photos to look like. Take into account where these photographs will be placed. You want your finished images to mesh well with where they're being displayed. Remember: styles change, but photos are forever!
​
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU:
If you have little ones, bring along some diaper covers (if baby girl is wearing a dress), toys (if you have children who like sensory items, bring a few that might match the outfit you have chosen for them if at all possible), and have a couple of games your kiddos enjoy playing (tag, Ring Around the Rosie, etc.). Having someone who is able to monitor your kiddos and help keep an eye on things (or let me know that you would like me to bring an assistant which would be at an extra cost) is incredibly helpful! It also allows me to sneak in some shots of just mom and dad.
​
If you have a senior, it's a good idea to bring some props--maybe their graduation cap and gown and/or something that represents their hobbies or what they are planning on going to college for.
IT'S MY JOB TO PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS BUT YOU CAN HELP ME OUT!
Be sure clothing is ironed so you don't have a bunch of unwanted wrinkles.
For guys AND gals, remove wallets, phones, keys, et cetera from your pockets. Once you have taken everything out, be sure your pockets are tucked all the way back in. You don't want lumps and bumps in your pants or jacket. Also, unless your Apple Watch or Fitbit is part of your outfit, take it off, too. Having bulky items on your body (unless it goes with your ensemble) can be extremely distracting in a photograph. Unless you want that hair tie on your wrist in the picture, give it to me as soon as you see me! I am more than happy to keep it on my wrist so, in case you decide to change up your hairstyle and put your hair up, you've still got an elastic tie to do that!
Spit out that gum (in one of my favorite pictures of me with my cousin, you can see she tried to hide a piece of bright blue gum in her cheek) and take off those sunglasses and baseball hats (again, keep them on if they are part of your outfit). I like seeing my client's eyes, not a dark reflection of myself holding up a camera. If your prescription glasses tint in the sun, that is something that will show up in your photographs unless you opt not to wear glasses for your session.
BE SURE YOU'RE READY THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Get plenty of sleep and eat well. Be certain to eat before you come to your shoot and don't schedule your photo session around any naptimes unless you want sleeping (or potentially cranky) photographs of your babes!
Ladies, make sure your nail polish is on point (both fingers and toes!) or that it's removed. Chipped polish on nails is not cute in pictures you're going to hang in your home! If you're wearing a dress or shorts, shave those legs or, at the very least, lather on that moisturizer so your legs are silky smooth and have a lovely sheen to them!
Gents, if you don't want to show up clean-shaven and keep that 5 o'clock shadow or luscious beard, be sure it's trimmed nicely and not sticking out every which way. Scraggly beards don't photograph well and end up looking like a bird made a nest on your chin.
LEAVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO GET READY THE DAY OF.
I recommend getting to the agreed-upon location at least 10 minutes early. If you arrive 16 minutes or more late your session is automatically canceled, I leave the location, and you forfeit your full session fee. If you arrive 1 to 15 minutes late, your session will still take place, but that amount of time is deducted from your session. I value your time and expect the same in return.
Be sure you've scheduled in enough time to take showers, baths, dressing, grooming, and traveling to where we will be meeting each other. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it's time to head out the door. You never know when you may get stuck in traffic and your session starts at the time it's scheduled so if you show up late or unprepared, you don't get extra time to compensate! If your session is later in the day and your babes might need some sleep, try doing nap time a little earlier or later in the day so they are well-rested and happy for your session!
HAVE FUN!
Laugh, giggle, joke (my husband has made many an inappropriate joke in my ear to get me to giggle for a picture), embrace, kiss, tickle, snuggle, and play! Doing these things will allow me to capture the emotion and true beauty of you and your family!