Family Session Guide

What to Expect?

In this guide, we will go over everything you will need to know to make the most of your family session.

We will work together to ensure that your final images are not only beautiful but also a great representation of your family in those moments during your upcoming session.

My style for family sessions is to take a lifestyle approach to capturing your family. This means I am focusing on capturing the true emotion and sometimes the chaos of your family. I offer directed prompts to give guidance and capture those authentic interactions. You can also expect some lightly posed images with everyone looking at the camera; photos of parents with all the children, siblings all together, and individual portraits of your children. When my clients look at their galleries, I want them to feel the love they have for each other

After your session, I will be working hard behind the scenes to cull the best photos (eliminating duplicates, blurs, and blinks). Your gallery is typically ready within 3 weeks of your session.

Before each session, the question I am asked most often is, "What should we wear for our family photos?" Most importantly, when you're choosing your outfits, choose outfits that help you all feel comfortable and confident. Feeling good about how you all look in your pictures is incredibly important. Focus on accomplishing a cohesive look and dressing in outfits that will allow your photos to take on a timeless feel. I will share some suggestions here, based on my experience. Your clothing should always reflect your family style! I recommend that mom finds something she feels amazing in, then work the rest of the family off of that. Of course, the most important part of your family portrait is to document the love that your family shares.

What to Wear?

A great starting place is to pick 3 or 4 colors that fit your vision for photos. When picking those colors, think about which tones you like: neutrals, earth, blue, pastels, etc. Consider what colors you like and feel what looks best on you. No one knows better than you what looks best with your hair and skin tones, so pick colors that make you the most confident. Individual style can be shown within this color palette while allowing coordination.

Need help with palette inspiration? See my Pinterest board of palettes I have created.

Colors that complement each other are best, rather than everyone wearing the same color. Complementing colors vs matching colors will help create the most natural feel to the photos.

Patterns can be a great addition to your style. Try to keep patterns to about 1-2 people per immediate family. Large stripes, florals, and some polka dots are examples of patterns that photograph great. Along with patterns, layering can help add some depth to your outfits. In the warm months, you can add things like a sheer cardigan or denim vest or jacket. In the cooler months, a sweater, vest, scarf, or even a jacket can help add layers. Layers create movement and depth that help create natural photos. Another great way to add layers all year is through your accessories. Adding hats, great shoes, jewelry, and other add-ons can take your outfit to a new level and add that pop.

Location should play a factor in choosing what to wear. At a beach session, you will likely wear something different than if you were headed to a session with a greenery backdrop or fall colors. Use the location colors to coordinate your color palette so you don’t compete with your backdrop. Also, consider that you may be sitting, lying down, walking, or doing other activities, so make sure your clothes will be comfortable for those activities.

Make sure not to wait until the day of your session to try on outfits. This way, you know everything fits and is comfortable on everyone. Allow yourself time to plan and ensure there is no last-minute stress before the session.

Need help with palette inspiration? See my Pinterest board of palettes I have created below.

What to Embrace

  • Neutral colors

  • Layers & accessories

  • Coordinating colors

  • Long dresses or pieces that create movement

  • Add texture and small details

  • Dress for the season

What to Avoid

  • Bright reds and neon colors

  • Tiny prints & patterns

  • Everyone in the exact same color

  • Anything that makes you uncomfortable or self-conscious

Preparing For Your Session

The Day Of

It’s the day of the session! You’ve tried on your outfits and are getting ready to head out to our location. Before you leave, make sure everyone has eaten and has drunk some water. Everyone is much happier in photos when they aren’t hungry. Little kids that may still take naps ideally have already napped and had a chance to wake up a bit before we start.

It's hard not to be nervous, but know I am here to talk you through it and direct the session to help everyone feel comfortable. I offer a speaker with music for most of my sessions to help any nervousness or awkwardness. I want you to leave your session feeling like you enjoyed your time.

During your session, I will be following your kids lead most of the time. If your kid is feeling a bit snuggly, we will focus on capturing those kinds of moments. If they’re feeling more playful, we will play some games and get them moving. I want to make sure they are comfortable, so I won’t pressure them to do anything that they’re not comfortable with.

Payment

At the time of booking, you paid a retainer and signed the contract. The retainer is a portion of your session total. A few days before your session, you will get an email with a link to pay the remaining balance. That balance can be paid through your session link via card or with cash during your session. All balances must be paid by the time of your session.

Location

One of the important factors when it comes to your family session is the location we will use. Northern Michigan is full of the most perfect locations offering everything from the most beautiful beaches to the prettiest fields of wildflowers to the quaint downtown areas. We will work together to choose the best location for your family. I usually recommend my clients picture their session in their heads and give me some examples of what that looks like. Are you at a location that means a lot to your family? A place where we can do an activity together that you enjoy? Are you wanting to run through fields or play in the sand together?  From there, I offer some recommendations of locations that would fit the vision you have and would also make great locations to shoot. I try to keep in mind how busy locations will be to give us a little bit of a private experience. Sometimes that isn’t entirely doable, but I am able to edit out any people in the background.

Afterwards

Within two business days for all full sessions, I will have a small sneak peek for you and your family to see before I edit your full gallery. I will take time to pick out the best photos from your gallery to hand edit each one. Your gallery will take up to 3 weeks for me to fully edit and return to you. From your gallery, you will have personal access to print & share your photos. I have the option to print through my professional lab or through other labs. I leave those recommendations in the final gallery email.

*Mini sessions will receive their proofing gallery and are able to pick their final photos.