WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR SESSION
Taking photos can be intimidating. Even thinking about everything involved might be enough to stress you out. I totally get it! Getting photos of your kiddos can be tricky, but my goal is to make the experience easy, stress free and (dare I say it?) even a little fun for everyone involved. Over time I've had the chance to develop a process that takes the focus off of the traditional "sit still and smile" approach to family photos, and instead gets you and your little ones moving and interacting. Instead of a tedious and painful studio session, your kids are able to be the beautiful little characters they are, and you get to walk away with photos that are 100% real and genuine. If all that sounds good to you, let's get started!
Styling Tips:
1. Makeup and hair
Professional hair and makeup make for a flawless look and truly makes a difference in the final image. If you are able to, book a professional artist and give yourself that extra confidence boost! Select colors with a little more pop but try to avoid glitter and shimmer that gives a bad reflection under certain lighting conditions.
Need some recommendations? Here are a few:
Atlanta Make up: The Haus of Fluff
Atlanta Hair and Makeup: Brielle Brenner
Gwinnett Hair and Makeup: Beaute Force Beauty
2. Let's talk about outfits!
When shooting family portraits, the way all the outfits and accessories of each family member are in harmony will truly be the icing on the cake and pull everything together. Make sure to follow these tips to get the best out of your family photo session:
The single most important tip I can give you is to ALWAYS place comfort at the top of your priority list. A comfortable child is a happy child :)
1) Choose clothing that your child LIKES to wear.
If you have a specific outfit or look in mind, get them wearing that outfit 3-4 weeks ahead of time so that they can get used to it. Please don’t put them into their outfit for the first time before our session.
2) COORDINATE colors, but DON’T over-MATCH
Earth tones, pastels or neutrals will have the best results on camera and give your photos a cohesive look without being “too matchy”
3) ADD layers for movement & accessories for interest.
A shawl, dress or loose jacket will accentuate movement in photos.
Necklaces, hats, scarves, bracelets etc. add an extra little touch to an outfit and translate really well in photos.
LOCATION
I would love to help you find the perfect backdrop for your family session. Are you wanting outdoors or indoors? A scenic scene or more city landscape? Click on the link below to see some of the different backdrops.
DURING THE SESSION:
Okay now that we've talked about all the prepping let's talk about what you can expect during the shoot.
A typical session will start off by spending a few minutes together just hanging out. This gives your kids a chance to get used to me and let off a little bit of energy in the process.
Once we’re ready to take a few photos, rather than traditional poses, we’ll start off with a few activities and fun little games. This keeps your kids engaged and focused and helps bring out those natural smiles, laughs and connection.
I’ve got a handful of favorite activities that will give you guys something to do and get the interactions started.
Every family and every child is unique, so your session is really totally up to you. Ahead of time I’ll get you to share a little bit about each child so that we can choose activities that fit them best.
Once your kiddo(s) have had a chance to let out this energy, grabbing a few formal photos is far more simple and easy.
And that’s essentially all there is to it!
FINAL TIPS:
For little kids, try to bring props they enjoy. Think what could make for a nice prop to play around with during the session. Interaction with an item will help loosen them up and make the session more enjoyable.
A successful photo session takes planning and preparation. Be sure to stay well hydrated and increase your water intake a couple days before the session for nice radiant skin. For an outdoor session, bring water (cause Georgia weather) and possibly bug spray. If you have little ones, and your session time falls around their nap time, try giving them a nap a little earlier. Bring yummy snacks (that aren't messy) and water. Snacks help tantrums disappear and I'm all for bribing with treats any time throughout the session. As mentioned earlier in the styling guide, a toy (prop) can help make the session more fun for kids so pick a neutral color toy to bring along.
AFTER THE SESSION
ALBUMS
The turnaround time for delivery of all images takes anywhere between 3-4 weeks. The film is shipped to a professional lab for development and the transferring into digital files. A link to view your online gallery will be sent to your email when the photos are ready.
Sharing/Printing your photos: Your print release is a document that allows you to make prints anytime and anywhere. It does not, however, allow you to alter, edit or crop images in any way, including Instagram filters. Standard Instagram and Facebook crop for your profile image is perfectly acceptable. When sharing your images, it is important to me that your family and friends see the truest colors and quality from your portrait gallery. And the best method for backing up your images is to print them out. You can order these prints directly from your online gallery. I am connected with a professional lab that will maintain truest colors and quality while still being cost-affordable. Ordering directly from your online gallery is super easy and convenient.
I'm so exciting to be working with you and your family! Don't hesitate to reach out.
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