Photography is Poetry

Hello there!

I'm excited that we get to work together! I can't wait to capture your story. To break things down and make it super simple for you, I've prepared this guide. I want you to feel calm, prepared, and ready to make the most of our time together and create some beautiful timeless images of you and your love.

What To Expect Before Your Session

There's a few things to complete before our session together: You'll receive a questionnaire and a contract (these can be found in the initial emails that I sent you).

Your questionnaire is important and gives me a huge insight into who you and your family are. I want to tailor my sessions to capture you all in the most authentic way so taking time to fill out these questions really helps me get to know you and become invested in your story.

I also have a session agreement in place for every session so we are all on the same page about how the session works, timelines, copyright, rescheduling, and a model release so I have permission to share some of your images online. If you would prefer to opt-out and keep your images private, that is not a problem at all.

Where Should You Have My Session

I’m sure you have some idea of where you want your session, whether that’s an in-home session or an outdoor session.

I love creating images outdoors at the ridiculously beautiful locations we have here or in your home so it’s totally up to you where we go. In-home sessions are very sentimental and I always make sure I incorporate your home environment into your images as this is the place you spend the most time and it embodies so much of your story. It’s a beautiful thing to have documented as so often what happens under our roof changes so frequently. You do not need a beautiful Instagrammable house by any means to have a shoot at home! Come as you are and leave the rest up to me.

If you would prefer to have an outdoor session, I absolutely LOVE shooting at dusk during the golden hour. The light is incredible and we can certainly go to a favorite place of yours or I have lots of beautiful locations up my sleeve that I can suggest.

What To Wear To Your Session

One of the main questions you might have for your session is “what on earth do we wear?” I want you to feel beautiful and relaxed in your images and I want them to reflect you and what you feel amazing in. The good news is, when you book a session with me, you get an instant and full access to my Client Closet! This is a carefully curated collection of wardrobe pieces for the entire family that will look stunning on camera. I have all sizes available that will fit and make you feel great and comfortable on your session.

I highly recommend utilizing my Client Closet because it is absolutely free and you will not have to worry and scour your family outfits. But if you opt to use my Client Closet, here are some key pointers when it comes to choosing what to wear ~The biggest tip is to find something you feel beautiful in because if you’re uncomfortable or self-conscious in your outfit, it will show in your images.

Start with one piece that you love, your dress or another outfit for example which may be plain or patterned and then use this to colour coordinate the clothes for the rest of your family.

COLOR + PATTERNS 

I often suggest muted, earthy, and neutral tones in a range of shades or some soft patterns. Often the environments we shoot in can have lots of colors and wearing bright colors can clash and also cast that colour onto other family members in a session. Browns, mustard, yellows, dusty pinks, oranges or earthy greens, creams or white clothing all look great.

To add a bit of variety, choose one patterned piece, such as a long flowy dress for yourself and then pull out some similar colours from that pattern and dress family members in those colour shades.

TEXTURE + MOVEMENT

Layering different textures when choosing your outfits is a great way to really bring your outfits together and add more interest. Think linens, textured clothing, such as waffled materials or lace, chunky knits and anything that flows! Clothing that allows for some movement always photographs beautifully especially outdoors when it’s a little windy.

FOOTWEAR

I’m all for barefoot sessions, especially cos we’ll be shooting at the beach most of the time (or at home) I always suggest leaving shoes off as this suits these environments well. If we are at an outdoor setting, wear suitable footwear that works in well with your outfits and is easy to walk around in (ditch the heels and opt for flats!).

HAIR + MAKEUP

I’m all for natural looking/ light hair and makeup so don’t feel any pressure at all to get professional hair and makeup done for your session. However, if that’s what you opt for and it makes you feel the best, then go for it!

A FEW THINGS TO AVOID

Steer clear of large brand names on your clothing, the ‘jeans & white shirt’ combo for the whole family, or dressing everyone in black or all dark colours. Try to mix up the color palette.

You are always very welcome to text me through photos of your outfits so I can help you decide on what looks great for the session.

FAV STORES TO SOURCE OUTFITS FROM 

(This is also where I usually shop my Client Closet!)

FOR MOM ~ H&M, Zara, Free People, ASOS, PinkBlush (Maternity), Nordstrom, Nothing Fits But, Amazon, and Target.

FOR DAD ~ H&M, Zara, Nordstrom, and Amazon.

FOR THE KIDS ~ H&M, Zara, Archer Foxx, Millk.co, Children of the Tribe, Luca the Label, Jaime Kay, Joyfolie, and Target.

What Happens After Your Session

The fun part! Your photo reveal!

After your session, I will get to work on culling your images down to the very best of the best (typically around 40-70 images), then editing those images in Lightroom CC + Photoshop! Once I'm all done, I will upload your high resolution photos in an online gallery and send you an email on how to download them.

THAT IS IT! DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT ME!