Tips to Have a Successful Session

Arrive between 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled start time so that we will be ready to go when your session starts. Sessions move quickly, so please be ready at start time.

Set your kids up for success by not rushing and allow them time before the session to explore the area and settle in. Make the whole experience an adventure!

Bring a bag that may or may not be set on the ground to hold your keys, phone, wallet and hair ties. On that note, before your session take those things out of your pockets. Decide if you want your Apple Watch or a watch tan in your photos. Happy to edit out the tan lines for an additional fee.

Please ensure that kids are prepped and fed prior to shoot as much as possible. Don’t forget a little special treat that doesn’t stain (hint: mini marshmallows) can often turn a sad face around.

However, only give the treat during the session if that is the last straw for help. Sometimes, when the treat is introduced too early, the kids can become hyper focused on the treat and nothing else.

Don’t request, ask or tell your kids to do anything unless absolutely necessary.

When kids have 3 adults(or more?) all asking and telling them to do things, they get overwhelmed and most of the time rebel against all of it.

Allow me to give direction to the kiddos. If they are running around and being silly, that’s okay. It would be better for me to get their attention, then for the mood to shift with a stern voice. Let’s keep it light and fun.

My methods for working with toddlers and kids are excellent, but if they sense that you are upset, or frustrated, we can say goodbye to smiles and cooperation from them.

Bring your A game friends and show your kids its okay to have fun during a session.

I am NOT a prop person. I like to keep sessions simple with the focus on the most important part, your family. However, if you would like to bring a blanket or large scarf to get some sitting or snuggling pictures, that would be helpful. I recommend a solid or non-busy print in neutral or light colors. This is not necessary and may not be used if time doesn’t allow.

Tag? Raspberries? Tickling? What is the most natural way you play with your kids? I’ll follow your leads on this front. Find your inner child and play!

I want to capture y’all having a great time together in an authentic way. If that means hand holding and a peck on the cheek, awesome. If that means getting jiggy with it and having a good ol makeout sesh, I’m game. Snuggle, whisper sweet nothings(or dirty flirty things) in each other’s ears. Trace their lines, admire their freckles, squeeze, touch and just LOVE on each other.

Space and gaps seem humungous in pictures. Layer and close any gaps. Squeeze together and if you think you’re too close, get CLOSER. Touch, cuddle, hand hold, hug, snuggle, kiss, ANYTHING! Have fun with it all.

Allow yourselves to just be. Set the tone for your kids to be silly. My favorite shots are those little in between moments when you forget the camera and just love on your people in an authentic way.

If you will be bringing your pets, please bring treats and a squeaky toy. Also, be prepared for all sorts of noises from me.

I loath ironing, however, I loath editing out fabric wrinkles more. It takes considerable editing time to edit them out of photos and also never truly looks natural, no matter how experienced the photoshopper. So if that is something that is going to bother you in photos, I recommend using a steamer. Steaming is easy and quick but an iron is also sufficient.

Our session will be active. If you have yourself or children in fussy clothing that needs to be fixed and fussed with, that tends to take up unnecessary time during the session.

For example, toddlers that you need to hold, best not to have a jumper. Shirts for toddlers that need to be tucked are best if long so it stays tucked well. In general, no fuss clothing is best for both parents and kids so we can focus on what’s more important- smiles and fun!

If your child is very set on wearing something special to them, consider a compromise and have it underneath what you wish for them to wear— it can be their little secret. Another way to navigate that is to have them be apart of the selection process. Lay out a few shirts next to your outfit and ask them for their help because you can’t decide.

If there is something that your child is attached to that you DON’T want in photos, don’t bring it with you and pull it away the last minute. Fight that fight sooner so you can give your child time to recover. The best method I have found is to hide the item the night before so that they have time during to the day to be distracted from focusing on it and so they don’t associate photos with getting their special item taken away.