Session Information

Late evening sessions are my favorite time to shoot the light is warm and beautiful. We will have what is called the “Golden Hour” about an hour and a half before the sunsets, it blankets everything in a warm glowing light. This time varies depending on the time of the year, October - May the earliest recommended session time should begin no later than three PM, and during the summer it should begin no earlier than five thirty PM.
It can be hard to keep little ones happy during this time of day, if you make sure they are well rested and have a low key day before their session we should have a great session.

Proofing and Ordering

Approximately three to four weeks after your session you will be shown 30 - 50 digital proofs in an online gallery. This way distant family and friends can view and order prints. Proofs will remain online for 90 days.

Maternity Session

Generally I recommend that you plan your photo session in your late 2nd to early 3rd trimester. You want to be clearly showing but still feel comfortable;e enough to enjoy the process. Every woman and every pregnancy is different so listen to your body and we will plan your session accordingly.

 

During the photo session your comfort is my main goal. these are some articles of clothing I recommend for your session,

1. a pair of black yoga pants
2. a button down shirt or cardigan short or long sleeved, although long sleeved are more faltering
3. a solid colored tank top and your favorite pair of pre pregnancy jeans.

Please do not wear anything with an elastic waist band on your belly for a few hours before your session. Elastics tend to leave unflattering marks on your skin,watches and some jewelry can have the same effect. Don’t forget your feet tight fitting socks leave makes too, consider wearing flip flops or sandals before your session.Clothing choices are important, be sure to bring more than one outfit for a variety of looks for you sessions.I will also provide soft fabrics to drape your body in an in an appealing fashion, Wraps give you a more intimate look while keeping things discreet.

Kids and Families

Solid colors look best , avoid busy patterns and logos. Bring whatever your child likes. Bright colors, pastels, strips, hats anything that is comfortable. Matching sweater and hats make a great image for fall and winter. Pastels offer a beautiful innocence to images for a spring or summer session. You might try matching an outfit to the color of your child's eyes. for a fun twist bring things that your child loves to play with or dress up in. Maybe your little guy loves his superhero cape and rain boots or maybe your little girl can’t leave the house without her feather boa or her ballerina tutu. These things will help your children get comfortable and what makes them who they are.

Things to keep in mind the day of the session.

• Please make sure everyone has a full belly and are well rested and awake for at least an hour prior to the session.
• Please leave all personal cameras and recording devices at home.
• It is important for everyone to be focused on my camera during the session.
• If your child is not feeling well it is best to reschedule your session. there will be no additional fee.

Newborn

It is important for your newborn session to take place within the first 2 weeks of life, my ideal age 3 to 6 days old. Your session will capture the incredibly pure moments of your babies first days of life. Before you have sleep deprived, before the baby has uncurled form the womb, and before the umbilical cord falls away.
Newborns love to be warm and cozy. I highly suggest that an hour before I arrive, you raise the heat in your home so that your little one will be more comfortable.We have used small space heaters to warm up a room or a warm water bottle.
Please feed your little one before I arrive so that they have a full belly, I will allow time during the session for feeding breaks. If you would like your baby in there birthday suit, please undress them and loosen their diaper, and then wrap them in a blanket after you feed them. Feel free to pull out a few outfits that you like them in for to choose from at the time of the session.
To many clothing changes do make your baby upset, so its best to limit to one or two changes. I often use parents as backdrops for baby, so please wear a black top and pants, also mom and dad are welcome to join the session at no extra charge.
I don’t mind waiting for you to nurse your baby. I encourage that you take a break to soothe your baby. When photographing your baby in the buff it is normal for them to relieve themselves, don’t worry all my backdrops are laundered after each session. Please keep baby wipes and a towel on hand.
Here are a few extra items I recommend keeping on hand. A hair dryer and a boppy pillow. Hair dryers are basically portable hand held space heaters and white noise makers. They are amazing at calming your baby. If you don’t have the pillows or dryer available don’t worry I will have one on hand for the session.

Senior Portraits

In these exciting time in your life I am hear to help you remember it for the rest of your life. Here are a few tips to help make your session the best it can be.
Spray tans and tanning beds have a tendency to appear orange when photographed, try to stop tanning at least a week before your session. Don’t worry about minor breakouts or other completion problems, these can be fixed post session. Heavy breakouts braces and scars can also be retouched for a fee.
I encourage you to bring items that help define you such as a guitar, soccer ball. ballet slippers, even a car. remember these images are about self expression, who you are, use your creativity for the items you want to bring.

Ladies

Details matter, please have your nails neatly trimmed and polished, don’t forget your toes. I don’t recommend trying out any new hairstyles or coloring, in the event you are not happy with the results, but a hair trim is a great idea. Bring along any hair accessories for easy style changes.
As for makeup, slightly heavier makeup photographs well, but be sure not to overdue it. Pay extra attention to your eye makeup, i.e. avoid clumps in your mascara. Please bring along translucent powder to help eliminate shine,and don’t forget your lip gloss.
Now for clothing, if your into fashion, rock it. If your more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal that works to. Just make sure to bring along at least three different tops for a variety of looks and a simple sundress during warmer weather and for cold weather a jacket and a nice hood. Baggy clothing may make you look larger,clothes that flatter you are best for your session.
Jewel toned clothes are great for fall and winter, bright colors and bold patterns work well for spring and summer. Also be aware of the right undergarments, wearing white pants and flowered panty and bra is not a good idea, a more nude colored undergarment work best. Remember, jeans usually go with anything, so if your not into switching bottoms go with a great pair of jeans. Jewelry is best kept simple, we want focus on you. Lastly bring your prom dress or your favorite dress for some fun shots.

Gentlemen

Want to wear a hat, no problem, but please don’t wear the hat until it is time to shot, hats have tendency to leave red lines on your forehead. I don’t recommend trying out any new hairstyles or coloring, in the event you are not happy with the results. Bring something that will look good in black and white such as a pair of jeans and a black shirt. Bring some clothing for color images, don’t be afraid of bold colors and patterns. Jackets, coats, ties and other accessories are great to put on for a few shots too. This will be a fun experience, a memory that will last a lifetime, so lets have fun and make some great images together.