Portrait Session Guide
What to Expect?
In this guide, we will go over everything you will need to know to make the most of your portrait session.
We will work together to ensure that your final images are not only beautiful but also a great representation of your individual personality..
My style for portrait sessions is to take a candid approach. This means I am focusing on capturing your true emotion and personality. I offer directed prompts to give guidance and capture those authentic moments. You can also expect some lightly posed images with you looking at the camera. We will incorporate a lot of movement to make sure you feel comfortable and help reduce that awkwardness of being on the other side of the camera alone. When my clients look at their galleries, I want them to feel I captured them and their individuality.
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 I wear for my photos?" Most importantly, when you're choosing your outfits, choose outfits that help you feel comfortable and confident. Feeling good about how you look in your pictures is incredibly important. I will share some suggestions here, based on my experience. Your clothing should always reflect your personal style! I recommend that you pick at least one casual outfit and one fancier outfit.
What to Wear?
When picking 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. Portrait sessions have a lot of color flexibility because there is only one person in the photos. The most important factor is showing off who you are.
Need help with palette inspiration? See my Pinterest board of palettes I have created.
Patterns can be a great addition to your style. 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. Flowy shirts & dresses are great for offering movement and candid feeling to your photos as well.
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. Allow yourself time to plan and ensure there is no last-minute stress before the session.
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
Anything that makes you uncomfortable or self-conscious
Preparing For Your Session
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 you. I usually recommend that 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 you? A place where we can do an activity or is focused on a hobby you have? Are you wanting to run through fields or put your toes in the sand? 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. Depending on the package and what your vision is I can often find a variety of location types in close proximity. For example, I have a location I use that has big fields, wildflowers, Lake Michigan shore, old farmhouses, barns, and forest all within about a mile of each other. I also love unique locations! Want to have your session somewhere like the library, parking garage, a bookstore, record store, fast food restaurant, coffee shop, etc.? I can probably find a place!
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 to have a snack and some water.
It's hard not to be nervous, but know I am here to talk you through it and direct the session to help you 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.
Afterwards
Within two business days for all full sessions, I will have a small sneak peek for you 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.