Session Tips
Your session should feel more relaxing than stressful. Chill vibes let the nerves settle and lets the humor and personalities come out which lets me take the best photos of you having a great time. When we meet up, we'll spend a little bit of time chatting through any of those nervous jitters and to let the kids to warm up to me. Try not to stress out about anything. Let me do the worrying about getting everyone to look at the camera, making sure we got that ONE shot you had your heart set on, and just come for a good time, some laughs, and great photos of yourself.
The best advice I can give you is to make sure you’re well rested on the day of your photo session. Get a good night's rest, eat something (or we can plan a fun picnic), stay hydrated!! Bad moods show up in pictures - and as great as I am at getting fun reactions, you can still tell when you're faking it! The better you feel, the better you’ll look. So really - RELAX and just come as you are. Read on for more tips for your time with me.
One idea that's always a great time, especially for extended family sessions, is to plan a picnic/bbq/gathering and schedule photos during it.You'll get photos of the kids running around being kids, grandmas and aunties snuggling on all the babies, uncles and dads standing around talking and managing the grill, and plenty of photos of your family laughing and loving on each other. We plan little mini-shoots for everyone for all the 'formal' stuff, but always plenty of fun family-time stuff, too! I seriously have the best time during those sessions.
Couples
Not many people have their photo taken and almost everyone tells me they're nervous in front of a camera. That's ok - I definitely am, too. And because of that, I really try to make you feel at ease and your best so you LOVE your photos and, more importantly, how you look in them. Engagement sessions help us get to know each other before your big day and gives us a chance to talk wedding stuff, too. I love hearing about ALL the details because it helps me envision your day and be just as excited as you!! Bonus, you get an amazing gallery to choose your favorites from that you can display at your wedding, use for your wedding website, and Save The Dates! And if you have a fur baby, bring them along, too!
Activities and hobbies are fabulous in engagement shoots! They give you something fun and natural to do while making the shoot personalized. Need ideas? I've got loads!! We'll get planning when you book your wedding!
Families
The best photographs are where everyone is engaged and interacting with each other, smiling naturally. Not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family and your smiles with be incredible. These are the photographs you'll cherish most. Cuddle up, tell stories, bring an activity for everyone so I can photograph you doing something that's normal to you so your expressions are natural. I plan enough time to include snack breaks or whatever we gotta do that helps ensure a good time for all. Sessions are never rushed. I'm an Auntie to 8 and I totally get it - sometimes you need to give them their space + a little bit of time. So please don't worry if the kids act squirrely. They'll settle down when the initial "new person" excitement or nerves wear off and you'll get some photos you'll really love, I promise!!
Parents - as you focus on your kids, don't forget about yourselves! Something to keep in mind that happens SO often is to be watchful of your expressions. You don't need to keep reminding the kids to look towards me - all I'll end up with are un-usable photos where you both have bizarre expressions with your mouths open while pointing in my direction - hard pass. Instead of that, you guys can smile at one another or look at me and smile so when the kids are ready, you already are, too. I will definitely let you know when I want you all to look my way, and since the instruction will come from JUST ME, the kids won't be confused and will actually pay attention and do it. It's bizarre - in my experience from all my family sessions, your kids listen to me WAY more than you. So trust me and just smile at your family. I'll get the photos you really want and I'll also get LOTS of others that will be the favorites you didn't think you'd love. I'll also take some time to capture some special images of just the two of you cuz photos of you are just as important as the ones of the kids! Even if you don't want them now, your kids will be glad to have them later!! Trust my process and just come to me with a positive attitude! We'll have a blast!
Babies + Children
These sessions are fun and work best if I can take the lead with all your littles. When we meet, it can take a little bit for them to warm-up to me - especially if we've never met. I'm very aware of shy feelings around strangers and I'm incredibly patient with kids. If they don't like me right away, they will soon enough and I'll be getting high-fives before we're done. And if they don't smile, that's fine too. I'll find ways to get some good smirks for you!! I know kids need time, space, and trust, to really let their guard down for pictures. A big bulky camera can look scary, so I let their comfort-level control the session. We start slow and I'm SO patient with them. Once I show them some previews on the back of the camera, that's when they usually let loose! It's the best!!
Alright, but real-talk moment. Parents... leave the “ cheese” at home. So many times I have had parents stand behind me and have literally screamed at their kid - to “Say cheese to the lady!” It doesn't work! Trust me. Yelling at them to look at the camera will only stress kids out - not to mention me!! - and it won't let me capture what I can if they're not relaxed and having a good time. Help me capture the true essence of your child’s personality by taking a step back and just giving us space. I'll be joking and getting out those smiles naturally and easier if you don't hover. We'll take things at their pace and have fun that's just right for them!
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