Baskin Creative Co. - Family Portrait Session Style Guide
F A M I L Y P O R T R A I T
G U I D E
W E L C O M E
Hi, it's Rachel here and I am so excited that you have chosen to book a family portrait session with me! I can't wait to create timelessly beautiful images together! I think that family photos are an amazing way of celebrating the beauty and uniqueness that is your particular family It is a special way of capturing some happy memories of the time you are spending together!
And speaking of family, I would like to introduce you to mine! These are the four people I love most in this world!! My husband, Kirk, and I have been married for 11 years, and believe me when I tell you that the last 11 years have hands down been the best 11 years of my life!! 11 years later and I'm still as in love and excited today as I was all those years ago about spending the rest of my life loving such an amazing man!! Together we have three precious gifts who are the world's most amazing children: Layla, who is the sweetest and most inquisitive 10-year-old girl you have ever met! Evan, a police car-obsessed, 8-year-old boy, who probably has enough energy coursing through his little body to power a small car! And then there's little Ava Grace... proof that dynamite comes in the most perfect and wonderfully beautiful, small package! They are the reason why I do what I do and they always encourage and cheer me on to keep doing what I love - capturing the memorable moments of my special families and celebrating their connection through timeless images!
So, with their encouragement ringing in my ears, I want to thank you for trusting me to capture images of your family legacy! I have every confidence that together we will make magic! I believe that the secret to us having an amazing session together is for us to plan for it! And that is where this guide comes in handy Think of it as our roadmap to creating gorgeous, one-of-a-kind images that you will be proud to showcase on the walls of your home! This guide is my way of setting us up for success and ensuring that we have the best session possible! Here you will find all the helpful information you need to help you best prepare for your photoshoot I'll give you ideas on locations for the photo shoot, how to coordinate your outfits, a shopping guide, and much, much more!
By the end of this guide, you will be both excited and prepared for your photoshoot and you will come into the session with confidence (which will show in your images!) and you will have so much fun creating beautiful images of the people you love most in this world - your family!
I hope you're excited to get started! I know I am!
So, without further ado let's dive right in!
S E S S I O N
Now that you have officially reserved your date on my calendar for your family portrait photoshoot, we can now move on to the more fun stuff like getting ready for your upcoming session! I love providing my families with a fun and enjoyable photography experience while capturing images of the special bond you and your family share! A key element that will contribute to the overall success of your photoshoot is having you fill in the questionnaire that I send you via email This questionnaire is VITAL in the process of us working together as it helps me get to know you and your family a little better while also giving me all the necessary information that I need to effectively plan and create a memorable and pleasant photography experience that is tailor-made for you and your family while ensuring that your expectations for the photoshoot not only met but exceeded! What I learn through the questionnaire is invaluable to me as I begin preparing for your upcoming photoshoot, so the more you share with me about yourselves, the better! Come the day of your photoshoot, I want to feel more like a friend and welcome presence than a stranger paid to take your photos
During your photoshoot, you will get to know me a little bit better as you experience how I shoot images and gently coach you on how to pose genuinely and authentically in your images! As my weekends are typically reserved for shooting weddings, I advise my families to schedule their family portrait session on a weekday evening to avoid any schedule conflicts or any disappointments that may arise I recommend scheduling the photoshoot from 5-7pm depending on the light and the time of the year In the winter months, 3-5pm is a good time frame for a family portrait photoshoot as the light outside is at its best during those moments! As you start to plan for your photoshoot, you will need to start brainstorming possible location ideas for your photoshoot. I LOVE it when my families pick a location that is significant or sentimental to them in some way but, if you can’t think of anywhere specific that you would like to shoot, then that's OK too - I have a whole section in this guide that is dedicated to discussing locations for your photoshoot! When all is said and done, so long as the light is great, I can make ANY location look amazing! Be sure to keep reading to learn more about some great ways to prepare for your session!
P H O T O S H O O T P R E P
It’s always a little bit intimidating having your picture taken - even if it’s just a snapshot on an iPhone - because we still feel the pressure of wanting to look great in photos That pressure is especially amplified this time around because these images are being captured at a professional level so, you really want to look your absolute best in these images I realize that this pressure may make preparing for your session a little overwhelming so, in the next couple of pages, I'm going to help relieve that pressure by giving you tips on how to pick outfits for your photoshoot, how to prepare effectively leading up to your photoshoot, and sharing recommendations that will make your photoshoot a great experience!
basics + what to brin
P your pockets as you dont want to have keys or phones showing through your pockets (This is especially true for the guys taking part in this photoshoot!)
TIMING | The sun sets quickly, especially if your shoot is not in the summer months. The later you arrive, the less time we have to shoot! Once the sun sets, the shoot will be over as the best lighting would be gone so, please make sure that you arrive on time If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, then we will need reschedule the photoshoot
DEEP BREATHS | I’m going to help you every step along the way and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time together, and trust me as we work together! You are in great hands!
PARKING FEE | This may not apply to your session, but you always want to plan for a cash-only parking fee that we may encounter as well as any tolls. I have yet to experience a situation where this has caused some stress on the day of the photoshoot, however, it would be best for us to do all that we can to avoid this situation as it may ruin the excitement for the day!
CLOTHING | I’ll explain this more in-depth in the pages to come but generally, I recommend that my families wear either a more casual outfit or a dressier outfit depending on your own personal taste and style. If you ’ re unsure about what outfits to wear and how best to pair them then please feel free to text me about your choices or you can bring them along to the session and I can help you decide then.
FLIP
FLOPS | I'll share more about this as well in the coming pages but for now, I will say that if you will be wearing shoes that are difficult to walk in for long distances but will look awesome when we're shooting, then bring some comfy shoes to change into while we walk from location to location
LIP
COLOR & HAIRSPRAY | A hairbrush and some hairspray may be helpful to keep on hand to freshen up with during your photoshoot You may also need to touch up your makeup and apply more lip color as we work together during your photoshoot If anybody will be wearing a bold lip color, then I recommend wearing a lip colour that has a matte finish so it won’t transfer as intensely to anyone you may kiss on the cheek or forehead!
L O C A T I O N
I S K E Y
Ultimately, the location of your family portrait session is up to you and so long as you pick a place that is the best fit for you as a family then, you can't go wrong When picking locations, I recommend that my families make a choice based on what resonates most with them as a unit For example: if there is a park where you enjoy going to for a picnic then, doing the photoshoot in that park may be a great location as it holds sentimental value to you as a family and it's an environment that you are already familiar and comfortable with. Maybe your family loves going to the beach and being in the water I would suggest doing the photoshoot at the beach as you as a family would be in your element In picking a location for your session, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind as you begin brainstorming for your photoshoot. You need to factor in these components as they will help you navigate through your options as you decide what location would work best for you:
- Your location may strongly influence your wardrobe choice for your session.
- Your location choice will greatly influence what time your session will take place.
- Your location choice may incur additional fees over and above your initial investment in this session that you have to accommodate for.
(E.g.
Paying for parking; paying entry fees; etc)
- Your location choice may affect the length of your session.
- Your location choice will determine the final look and feel of your images.
I offer my families a choice between two kinds of portrait sessions: in-studio family portrait sessions and outdoor family portrait sessions I also offer lifestyle family portrait sessions upon request - these sessions typically take place in my families' home. We can explore the option of doing a lifestyle family portrait session so long as we observe all COVID-19 protocols as per provincial and federal regulations Ultimately, there isn't one location choice that is better than the other because, what it all comes down to is what you feel best represents you as a family and, the look you want your images to have So long as you choose an option that you feel best represents your family, then we are already on the right track! In the next pages, we will take a more in-depth look at the kinds of family portrait sessions you can choose from:
S T U D I O F A M I L Y
P O R T R A I T S E S S I O N S
I love shooting studio portraits, so every time one of my families signs up for an in-studio portrait session, I always get so excited! These studio sessions take place in my studio and I love doing these kinds of sessions because it offers my families a unique photography experience rich in creativity and originality The images have my signature photographic studio style and offers families a distinctive look for their family portraits.
Not everyone opts for in-studio portraits for their family portrait photoshoot so, if you choose to book a studio portrait session then your images will truly have a one-of-a-kind look that sets them apart from the typical run-of-the-mill family portraits photos most people tend to have. We will be working in a controlled environment that is well-suited to creating beautiful studio portraits while offering you absolute privacy as we work together Lastly, you can schedule a session with confidence and have peace of mind that changing weather conditions won't interfere with your plans
O U T D O O R F A M I L Y
P O R T R A I T S E S S I O N S
With outdoor family portrait sessions, the world is our oyster and we have our pick at working just about anywhere we are legally allowed to shoot - making the sky the limit! We can work in locations filled with scenic views and lush alpine meadows or capture images on a secluded, sandy beach at sunset We can plan a session for later in the afternoon when the sun is setting and the light is warm and golden as that lends itself to photographing beautifully and creating gorgeous images!
One thing to keep in mind is that because the photoshoot is taking place outside, we will have a limited window of time to work with where lighting is ideal - and that's usually around sunset If we're late in starting our session, we'll lose the favourable light and that will impact the overall imagery and calibre of the photos we create if we are too late in starting the photo shoot, then we may have to cancel and reschedule the photoshoot all together! This means picking your location very carefully and factoring in travel times within our plans so that we don't miss our window of opportunity Depending on where we work, you may have to obtain a permit and/or pay entry fees to gain access to the location you would like us to work in so, those additional costs and logistics are something that you need to be mindful of and be prepared to incur (over and above the cost of your photo shoot) as you pick locations
FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION
Approximate Start Times
SPRING
Apr-May - Varies
The sunset times do drastically change throughout the course of these two months and so our shooting times will vary greatly as well. You should expect to plan on approximately 5:30-7:30 in April and 6:00-8:00 in May.
FALL
Sept-Nov - Varies
Again sunset times will vary greatly during these three months due to daylight saving. In Sept, you can plan on 5:30-7:30 until the third week, and then you can plan on 5:00-7:00 until MidOct. In Nov, 3:00-5:00pm works best.
SUMMER
Jun-Aug 6:30-8:30pm
Summer family portrait sessions, typically take place about two hours before sunset. This time frame offers the best light for the photoshoot while also (hopefully) taking place during the cooler part of the day.
WINTER
Dec-Mar 3 - 5pm
From December through to midMarch, you should plan on your family portrait session starting from around 3-5pm. However, the time changes in mid-March and so that will affect the time of your session by one hour.
LOGISTICS:
- I photograph family portrait sessions on weekday evenings because my weekends are reserved for shooting weddings Please keep this in mind as you schedule your session
- I love shooting at gorgeous locations! I recommend shooting at no more than two locations (maximum!) for family portrait sessions The general rule of thumb here is that the more locations there are during your sessions, then the fewer images, but the more variety there will be in your images
PRO TIP: As we have a limited time frame to work with for outdoor sessions, try and pick locations that are near each other to save on time traveling from location to location.
- We can do sunrise sessions if necessary, however, only I recommend doing a sunrise photoshoot for families with much older children who want to take portraits in very crowded downtown locations in the city.
- I love to travel to my photoshoots, however, if I have never been to your desired location, I may need some advice on certain things like where to park when I arrive at your location!
C R E A T I N G
You have a lot of control over what the final look and feel of your family portrait images will be One of the areas where you can greatly influence the final look of your images is in what you chose to wear to your family portrait photoshoot Figuring out what to wear to this photoshoot can sometimes feel stressful! The best way for me to help you overcome these feelings of stress and anxiety is for me to offer you practical information that will help guide you in determining the look you desire for your images and make your outfit selection process for this photoshoot uncomplicated and stress-free! Let's start by debunking some very common outfit myths that a lot of people tend to follow when it comes to picking what they should wear to their family portrait photoshoot:
OUTFIT MYTHS
MYTH ONE: Avoid wearing neutrals because they wash you out!
This myth couldn’t have been further from the truth!! Neutrals are some of my favourite colours for my families to wear to their photoshoots because neutrals colours are incredibly photogenic in images and they photograph beautifully! I always encourage my families to wear neutral colours to their photoshoot, however, the final choice is yours to make.
MYTH TWO: Always wear black or you won’t look thin!
Yes, black is slimming, and when tastefully used in your images, it can make a wonderful impression and statement, but black is also a really heavy colour in portraits. There is no rule against wearing black to your photoshoot, however, if you ’ re only wearing it to look slimmer in pictures but deep down inside you ’ re hoping for more light, airy and whimsical images then, wearing black to your photoshoot may not be the best decision for you! Also, I have years of experience in guiding my families on how to pose expertly during the photoshoot so, that you feel confident, empowered and look amazing in your images and not have to rely on a colour to make you look beautiful in your images!
MYTH THREE: Your family needs to match outfits for your photoshoot!
For the love of all things beautiful, please don’t match your outfits for this photoshoot! Try to coordinate your outfits instead! Coordinating is a completely different concept from “matching outfits” and I'll share more information about this concept in the coming pages
MYTH FOUR: Your location determines your style more than your outfit!
While your location choice may influence what you choose to wear, ultimately, your outfit choice is way more impact than your location Your location is just a setting in the background but your family will still be the main focus of the images
MYTH FIVE: You have to buy something new!
You can buy new outfits if you would like to I have some recommendations on where you can shop to purchase outfits that will give you the desired look you want to achieve in your images but that said, if you know that you and your family will look amazing in outfits you already own and it fits the style you want for your family portrait images, then wearing those outfits would be a great choice for what to wear to your photoshoot!
SELECTING OUTFITS
When it comes to picking what you would like to wear and creating the perfect look for your family portrait session, the biggest piece of advice I give to my families is for you to coordinate your outfits rather than wear matching colours and outfits! I recommend doing this because:
- Coordinating outfits make it easier for you to express yourselves and your individuality both as a family and as individuals within your family unit.
- Wearing coordinating outfits adds more visual interest to your images than wearing matching outfits.
- Wearing coordinated colours adds personality and fun to your images - making them true representations of who you all are!
So, with all this said, right now you may be wondering how best you can go about coordinating your outfits so that you create the perfect look in your images - a look that is cohesive and well put together! We are going to get a little bit technical in the next couple of pages but, I promise you that everything will make sense by the time you're done reading all of the information I'm about to share with you
Colours can convey messages in how they are used and to what extent they are used in your images so, how you choose to use colour in your outfits (and how the colours in your outfits interact with the colours in the location of your photoshoot) merit giving some thought to Colours are very important when creating the look you want your images to have as colour can set the mood and the feel of your images Wearing bright and bold colours can convey a sense of fun, energy, and adventure in your images but conversely, incorporating too many "loud" colours all at once can be overpowering and distracting to the viewer of your images. You also run the risk of being eclipsed by your use of colours in your images as the hue and intensity of the colours you use command more attention than you and your family as the primary subjects of the images This does not mean that you should shy away from wearing bright and bold colours to your family portrait session - in fact, it's quite the opposite! I have a "bright and bold recipe" that I look forward to sharing with you in the coming pages so, keep reading to learn more about how you can be mindful in your use of colour and ensure that you use it tastefully in your images!
This same principle and caveat also apply when using lighter tones and hues. Wearing light colours or even neutral tones can add an air of whimsical grace to your images and make them look light and fresh The caveat here is that if your chosen colours are only light tones, and your chosen location only incorporates very light colours - especially if those colours match or are very similar in shade to the colours that you will be wearing - then you run the risk of looking very bland and flat in your images The overall look of your images can also feel rather uni-dimensional and uninspired because your final images lack that little extra pop and visual appeal Again, this does not mean that light colours should be avoided, it just means that you need to learn a few basic principles of colour theory. Once you understand the fundamental principles of how colour works and interacts with each other, you will be equipped with enough information to create the perfect look for your family portrait session!
Now, some colours work really well together and other colours not so much The key here is figuring out what colour combinations work best together (and work best for you!) and picking the colour scheme that most agrees with your taste And yes, there are an infinite number of colour combinations that you can create but for the sake of brevity in this guide, I will just give you a basic starting point from which you can then launch yourself
GETTING A FEEL FOR COLOUR
This is a basic colour wheel and from it we derive seven basic colour schemes:
Monochromatic Analogous Complimentary Split Complimentary Various hues, tints and shades of just one colour on the wheel.
Any three colours next to each other on the colour wheel.
Any three colours placed equidistant from each other on the color wheel
Any colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel.
Any four colours on the wheel arranged into two complementary pairs
One main colour and the colours on either side its' complimentary counterpart.
Any four colours spaced evenly around the color wheel.
Triad
Tetrad Square
So, with this information in mind, you can now begin thinking about which one of the seven colour schemes you would like to explore more and how you would like to use colour - in general - in your family portrait session. There is no one colour scheme that trumps the others - this is about finding a colour combination that agrees with your taste and style as a family Remember that the colour schemes that I have just shared with you are merely guides and not hard and fast rules that you can never deviate from These colour schemes are a good place to start when thinking of how you want to present yourselves in your family portriat images but, remember that it is important for you to be able to use colour as a means to express yourselves in your images so, don't be afraid to explore and get creative with you use of colour!
There are many, many ways you can use colour in your photoshoot and sometimes, the magnitude of that realization can feel a little daunting! After all, it's not every day that you plan what you are going to wear to your family portrait photoshoot! I, on the other hand, photograph family portraits regularly and over time, I have developed the skill it takes to help my families easily decide what to wear to their photoshoot! In the following two pages, I will share with you my all-time, favourite colour combinations as well as colour combinations that work well based on the seasons! I have developed a preference for these colour combinations as these colours always photograph beautifully together and they flatter any skin tone and body shape They also bring a sense of class and elegance to your images while also harmonizing tastefully with the location of your session. To get an even greater visual idea of how these colours look together in clothes - I have created a Pinterest board filled with outfit ideas for oyu to uses as inspiration for your upcoming family portrait session you can find the link to the Pinterest board here: Family Photos Outfit Ideas
Feel free to use these colour combinations as is or tweak them by adding some of your flavour and personality to make them all your own! However you choose to use these combinations, I know that those colours will serve you as a great starting point or as inspiration to create a look that best represents you and your family! You are always welcome to run your thoughts and ideas on clothing choices by me as I love being a great sounding board for you during this part of the planning process. And, I also enjoy catching a glimpse of what you have in mind to wear ahead of your session because it gives me a fun little peek into your personality - both as individuals and as a family!
I can wait to see what you come up with!!
INSPIRATIONAL COLOURS
Mocha
Touch Of Pink
Peaches and Cream
Magic Mauve
SPRING SUMMER
FALL WINTER
DECIDING ON YOUR S T Y L E
WHAT STYLE DO YOU PREFER?
BOLD or NEUTRAL
DRESSY or CASUAL
CLASSIC or TRENDY
These are some of the choices you will have to make when it comes to picking outfits for your photoshoot and, again, there is no right or wrong answer hereonly what works best for you and your family! For the sake of time during your session, I recommend coming dressed in the way you are most comfortable and be prepared to start taking images as soon as we arrive at the location of the photoshoot I have some general guidelines and tips on things you should avoid doing when it comes to styling for your session Once you read through this list, you will have a better understanding of how you can start planning your outfits Here is a list of things to avoid doing or wearing during your photoshoot to elevate your style in your images:
- Colors to avoid: bright reds, neons, bright oranges as they reflect color onto skin and are very difficult to remove in editing
- Avoid patterns smaller than a quarter: Tiny patterns cause something called “Chromatic Abberation” in digital images and there's very little that can be done to correct that in editing. Men’s checkered shirts are fine if the “checks” are on the larger side.
- Alternate Heaviness: If a member of your family is wearing very dark jeans, then the other family members may want to wear lighter coloured pants If someone will be wearing a navy top, then other family members shouldn’t wear a dark/heavy-colored top Alternating the “heaviness” of your outfits can make your images look more balanced
- Avoid dressing casually while the others look more dressy: This will look awkward and disjointed and there is very little that I can do to fix this look when editing your images
- Other things to avoid: Tennis shoes, graphic/printed tees, bold logos on shirts, sunglasses, and baseball hats
LIGHT & AIRY STYLE RECIPE
If you ’ re hoping to have a more light and whimsical style of images then the best way for you to achieve that look is for you to include more light and airy colors into your outfit choices as that will lend itself to making your images turn out brighter, softer and more photogenic! Over the years of photographing beautiful families like yours, I have created what I call my "Light & Airy Style Recipe" and here are some "ingredients" that go into creating a soft and whimsical styled photoshoot It’s important to note that you do not need to choose all of these ingredients to have a light and airy style to your images but the more ingredients you include, the more your images will be in line with your chosen style:
- Choose Neutral Colors: Blushes, tans, light pinks, faint blues, and light minty teals, creams, grays, and whites will always result in more of a light and airy look in your images. These colors photograph softer and more romantically!
- Wear Long, Flowy Skirts/Dresses: Dresses and skirts with feminine ruffles, multiple layers of fabric, and the ability to blow and move in the wind will always photograph beautifully and look extra dreamy and whimsical in your images! You would be amazed at how impactful moving fabric softens an image while adding powerful visual appeal
- Choose Khaki Pants Over Jeans: If you want your images to be as bright as possible, consider having those who are wearing pants to the photoshoot wear lighter coloured pants instead of dark dress pants or dark jeans This is not a must, but it certainly goes a long way in helping you achieve that soft, dreamy, and whimsical aesthetic!
BRIGHT & BOLD RECIPE
If you like the idea of wearing bright and bold colours and incorporating some vibrance into your images, then I have just the thing to help you figure out how best to attain the look you are hoping to achieve in your images Here is my Bright & Bold Style Recipe and, just like with my Light & Airy Style Recipe, you don’t have to incorporate all of these “ingredients" into your images to get the perfect Bright & Bold look you are going for Here is what you need to do:
- Only One Of You Should Wear A Pattern Or Design: If someone in the family is wearing a bold pattern, then it is very important that the other members of the family wear something more plain and subtle - wearing solid colours would work best. The bolder the pattern or design, then the more important this rule becomes!
- Only One Or Two Of You Should Wear A Bold Color: To achieve a well-executed and tastefully done bright and bold look, I recommend that only one or two of you wear the bright and bold colored outfits while the other members of the family wear something more neutral and muted to avoid over-doing it
- Large Patterns Work Best: If you planning on wearing an outfit that includes patterns, then I recommend that your pattern be on the larger side as that will photograph better Patterns that are smaller than a quarter do not look great in images as the camera has a hard time interpreting such small details
- Use Bold Backgrounds: A lot of the time, if my families are going for a more bright and bold look, then I will keep my eyes open for any solid colored backgrounds in your chosen location and include it in the family portrait session. It’s a double win if the background colour coordinates with your more muted coloured outfits!
G E T T I N G R E A D Y
t i p s t o h e l p e n s u r e y o u r s e s s i o n r u n s s m o o t h l y
Family photos are an amazing way to celebrate the uniqueness and the blessing that is your family! It's a great way to take a snapshot of who you all are at this point in time. Revisiting this moment in years to come is bound to bring you all much joy as you reminisce on all the fun memories that you are currently making Now, whether this is your first time experiencing having professional family portraits done or whether you and your family are seasoned pros, there are always a few preparations that you need to do ahead of the session and things you need to keep in mind in order to make our session together a success!
So, in the next couple of pages, I would like to share with you some helpful tips and ideas of things that you can do ahead of your session that will help you feel prepared and confident as we head into our session. I am confident that if you follow these suggestions, we will have a fun and stress-free session filled with lots of laughter and special moments that are captured in your images!
So, here is my advice for you and your family as you gear up for our session!
TIP #1. COOPERATION IS KEY
The name of the game here is teamwork - both between me and you and amongst yourselves as a family I know that it can be tricky to make sure that your kids cooperate during the session - especially when they are young - so, I encourage you to do all you can ahead of the session to give us both the best shot at having cooperative little people during the session. If you have young children participate in the photoshoot - especially if they are quite young - then I recommend doing the following: make sure the kids have had their naps along with something to eat and drink ahead of the session Keep the food and drinks on hand during the session just in case we may need to make use of them again during the session and be sure to have a change of clothes on hand just in case an accident happens!
Also, try and remember that it is OK if your child/ren are a little bit shy and aren't looking at the camera in every shot - that's a great opportunity for me to grab some awesome candid shots of you interacting with your child. Be sure to give your young children lots of encouragement and assurance during the photoshoot and as the session progresses and as your child/ren begins warming to me and becoming comfortable with my presence and my camera, then you can begin to gently coax them to look at the camera more
TIP #2. INVOLVE THE KIDS
I recommend telling your older children about our session well ahead of time and then make preparing for the session a whole family affair that everyone can take part in and contribute towards Ask them if they have any ideas on locations for the session or what colours they think the family should wear to the session If your children are old enough, let them pick out their preferred outfit for the session as this will be a great way to foster unity within your family and make everyone feel as though this is a special occasion that you all get to experience together
If you have older children, then I recommend taking a moment to share with them why you have chosen to do family pictures and how much this moment means to you Share with them how much you are looking forward to the session and how important the images we create together will mean to you This will go a long way in helping them be cooperative during the session and it will also help them catch your enthusiasm for the session as well as the deeper meaning behind the images created in this session!
ADDING THE FINAL TOUCH
I want your family portrait session to be a great experience overall for you! I want you to feel prepared and ready as we gear up for your session and for you to have tons of fun during your photoshoot
We have spent a great deal of time discussing what to wear to your session for you and your family to look and feel your absolute best but now you may be looking through your wardrobe and thinking to yourself, "Oh my goodness, I feel like we have nothing to wear to our session!" As I mentioned earlier in this guide, I am not suggesting that you have to purchase new outfits for your family portrait session though many of my families opt to do so For my families who want to invest in new clothing ahead of their session, I have found that offering them a shopping guide often goes a long way in helping them achieve their desired look for the photoshoot If this applies to you, then I hope that you will find this list of recommendations helpful to you:
GAP
HUDSON'S BAY
TOMMY HILFIGER ZULILY
LACOSTE H&M
OLD NAVY
BANANA REPUBLIC
J CREW
CALVIN KLEIN
ZARA RALPH LAUREN
NINE WEST
HUGO BOSS
NON - PROFESSIONAL PRINTS
How bad could it really be?
This is the original image that I edited and delivered to one of my couples for their engagement photoshoot. I am using this image to help understand the importance of investing in high-quality, professional prints. To the right, you’ll see the most common print issues that clients experience when they choose not to print through the online gallery that I deliver to them. I make sure to offer as many print sizes as possible so that my couples can have access to professional quality prints for the images that they invested in Investing in high-end photography but ordering prints at Walmart is similar to wearing an evening gown to a date night at Taco Bell You can do it, but you probably shouldn't!
All jokes aside, I do highly recommend that my couples invest in excellent quality prints that you will always be proud to showcase on the walls of your home as this will be the perfect way to conclude the excellent experience in us working together to create timeless images of your family during your photoshoot!
High-contrast, oversaturation and de-saturation
Once your images have been delivered via your online gallery, you can begin ordering professional quality prints that will be printed in my professional lab and then shipped directly to you
SPECIAL CARE FOR 8x10's and 5x7's
For some reason, our culture has normalized print sizes that are not similar size ratios to the ratios that a camera captures This means, when you are ordering an 8x10 or 5x7 print, you will need to pay attention to the “Crop” option and adjust the crop of your print before ordering! See example to the right!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
I created this guide is so that it will be a helpful resource to you coming into your family session because I want your photoshoot to be a fun and stress-free experience that you will look back on fondly for many years to come! Your family and the connection you share is worth celebrating - and I'm glad to be the one who captures the beautiful images on your behalf! I realize that there is a lot of information to absorb and digest in this magazine, so please feel free to refer back to this guide as many times as you need to, and remember that I am only ever a phone call or text message away if you ever need someone to bounce ideas off of.
Your family and the love that you share in your home truly is a connection worth celebrating - and I am so honoured that you have chosen me to capture images that will become precious heirlooms that you all treasure for many years to come!
