After you book a session, we will need to decide where we will “shoot” your session. You tell me the feel you are hoping for and we go from there.
The Great Outdoors
This is more of a natural setting such as a park, lake, or just a field of tall grass. My favorite time for this is the evening as the sun falls behind the trees, but early morning sessions are also great (and young ones are happiest then). I try to stay away from mid day shoots because of the high sun and shadows that are cast on faces. Above is an example of a session in the great outdoors.
Urban Adventure
The urban sessions are becoming a lot more popular as clients are wanting something unique for their home. I like to look for color and texture and fun buildings. Most of the time, I will have you meet me in one urban setting that has several different looks within walking distance from each other. I’ve got spots in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and even Austin. I LOVE urban Austin, but will only do that drive on a Saturday morning due to traffic in and out of the city.
Home, Sweet Home
When most people think about hiring a professional photographer, they don’t consider their home as the backdrop they are looking for. But why not??? Beautiful portraits in the place you spend the most time as a family offers the most unique atmostphere. I would suggest this only if you love the decor in your home, and it is free of clutter. I often like to create activities such as hanging out on the couches, sitting around the piano, jumping on the trampoline, or even having a cookie making event in the kitchen. Possibilities are endless–what does your family love to do at home together?
If you have a spot or theme in mind, please don’t hesitate to share! I love discovering new places or trying new things.
For Teens and Couple sessions we do some location hopping to 4-5 different spots close in driving proximity to each other. We can often include all three types of locations, but usually at least two of these settings.
For families and young children, just one spot is best.
Newborns are often done in the home, as I take a photojournalistic approach to the new life with mom and dad often included. My black backdrop can be used upon request.
Maternity, it all depends on what you want, but venturing to an urban and an outdoor location is do-able.
What to wear?
This comes up a lot, and I’m more than happy to talk through your ideas and offer suggestions. I LOVE coordinating outfits (take a look at my family portraits). My biggest suggestion is coordinate, not necessarily match. Pick 2 or 3 colors that you want to use, keeping in mind the room in your home that you want to display your wall portrait. If you have red walls, do you want to wear greens and have it look too “Christmas-y”? Do you want to wear orange and browns if your family room is teal and grey? I spend a lot of brain power in planning our outfits. But be yourself, and the personality will shine through. *Upon booking your session, I will email you a link with lots of ideas for what to wear.
What to expect?
To have fun! To laugh, to smile, just relax and let me do the work.
Families
The worst thing a parent can do to their child at their portrait session is to grit through their teeth “You better smile or else…” Really, they will listen to me MUCH better than they will listen to you (don’t take that personally). Plan on letting me take over and teasing them into smiling. Trust me–I have been there with my kids gritting my teeth and it DOESN’T work! And please don’t be embarrassed with less than 100% cooperation, I’m sorta used to it…I do this a lot and I don’t think anything about your parenting methods–most kids don’t want to be told what to do. I try to make it fun for them.
It is always great to offer incentive such as going out for ice cream after (a little bribery doesn’t hurt) but don’t hold it over their head the whole session. Let me know what it is, and I’ll remind them. I may take each child for an individual walk away from everyone to have a one on one conversation and get those natural smiles.
Honestly, dads are often my toughest cases. Moms, dad might need a little incentive, too:) Sometime, I get the kids to tickle dad to crack that natural smile. Oh yeah, and mom, don’t be too hard on yourself. Wear a shirt that you feel good about yourself in and plan the family clothing options around it. I recognize that if mom doesn’t look good, she won’t love the portraits, and I want you to LOVE them! I am a big advocate of moms being in pictures with their kids because they are often the unseen behind the camera.
