Family Session Styling Guide

SESSION STYLE GUIDE FOR EMERGING FAMILIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS i.

about the session

ii.

when to book

iii. location, location, location iv.

what to wear

v.

faq

About the session Dear Family... I know you are busy. Well, I may not know just yet, but I do believe you!

That stated, this session is somewhat of an investment for your crew, so I do urge both mom and dad, and/or any adults in the shoot to please familiarize themselves with the contents of this little booklet, specifically--this section. Sessions always run the most smoothly when everyone knows what to expect, how the session will work, and what is expected of them in order to be an active part of documenting your family. Being familiar with how our time will be spent is going to impact the mood, tone, and ultimately--the success and authenticity--of our session. So--wake up a few minutes early, or brew some tea once the younggins are tucked in bed, and sit down, get cozy, and take a few minutes to go over some tips and tricks of a family portrait session.

Our time together will typically begin with a few pointers for mom, dad, and the older kiddos and a super-easy starting point. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to practice your “looks” in the mirror before you arrive. I find it give clients that extra bit of confidence going in to the shoot. My biggest piece of advise to parents is to just relax and enjoy their family. If kids are acting up, it is normally just because they are uncomfrtable, need some time to warm up, or need some time to play and forget about the nicer clothes and camera. When mom and dad keep relaxed, smiling, and adoring their offspring, it gives me the opportunity to captrure those quick, yet darling and authentic moments that come from the little ones. If you are in the photo pointing at me, and Bobby looks and gives me the most adorable smile ever, there is a good chance you won’t be able to move your hand in time to capture that smile without your hand and half-open mouth! You may forget, and don’t be surprised if I offer a gentle reminder to just let them be themselves.

The goal of our session is always to capture you: where you are in life, how you are, and what excites you and your family. Portrait sessions are a rare opportunity to really capture your creativity, expression, and individuality. We aim to have a natural, yet stylish and curated session that evokes the beauty in each of us by creating a comfortable and free environment. For the most part, I will more everyone in to position and then prompt your family to act naturally. I may position you here and there, or have you try certain techniques and tricks, but the goal is that when you strike that golden laugh, that it is 100% genuine. If we are shooting outside, the goal will be to use the natural light from our surroundings. If shooting indoors, we will be working with the window light, and perhaps some lighting tricks I bring along, As for styling, try to keep in mind that you will likely be on the ground with the babes. I will get them running around, sitting, sometimes laying in the grass. So, a step or two above pajamas or schoolwear is more than fine, but just remember to keep it comfortable and a representation of the personalities in your family.

Many factors play a role in the look , feel and general aesthetic of your photos, but one of the most mitigating factors will be the time of year you decide to shoot. If we plan to shot in fall—we will likely be crating rich, amber and neutral tones. Shoots scheduled in the spring, will obviously carry a lot more brightness, color, and green!

If you have the luxury of shooting anytime of the year, consider your aesthetic and what environment you feel most comfortable in.

For a city vibe, you may want to book in spring where you can rock a summer dress or dapper dabbs for the boys. If you are going for a session with layers, color, and coziness, cooler weather and a

winter session will allow you to achieve this ambiance without toasting in the summer heat. For a light, fun feel—summer may be your season. Or perhaps a campfire session on the beach during the fall where you can bundle in cool colored, oversized sweaters speaks to you.

The best light to shoot in is definitely 30 minutes to an hour before the sun comes up or 1-2 hrs before the sun goes down, depending on how long your session will be. Light is the softest at these hours and adds that gorgeous golden tone to photos that we all love. However, if you are planning to get hair and makeup done, your vendors may prefer the afternoon session! Weekday morning sessions work well because streets tend to be less filled with clutter and noise, parks have less people, etc. Another morning plus is if you happen to catch that mysterious morning haze that adds

an undeniable zip to your im I am available to book sessi on weekdays, typically Tues through Thursday. If these slots do not work for you, le know and we can work som out!

A note on booking. Photos to take 2-4 weeks for proces so if you are wanting image Save the Date,(typically sen 4-6 months before your wed date), engagement announ holiday card, or senior pictu announcement, etc., be sure work back from the date yo you images to ensure you b your session with enough ti to get images back and still your deadlines. When plan you will also want to make consideration for rain delay make sure you have enough if you are selecting an outdo location! I love rain, and I h the equipment to shoot in it your family wants to get mu I will gladly come along! A questions, you can reach m bri@bricostello.com.

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The best location will most certainly be the spot that makes you feel most comfortable and most in your element. A place where the family alll can roam and explore. A good location will also be a clean backdrop, not overly distinguishable. You want to be the center of your photos, not the statue of Sam Houston.

Also, consider the colors and texture of your environment. Be on the

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lookout for hidden roads, farm field, cool hallways. You can even typically coax a coffee shop in to letting us shoot in their shop. Make a list of the things you like to do, and think of places that speak to that. If you love to play the guitar, where do you play? If you go to the same Farmer’s Market every Saturday, set up your shoot then. Or if you collect stamps or records, perhaps hitting up a collectors shop or record store could

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be up your alley. Speaking of allies— they can also be great little hidden spots to set up a shoot. If you tend to have a more modern vibe, find a clean city street that has modern storefronts. Ask a furniture store or art gallery if you could shoot in their space.

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Industrial spaces or old buildings can sometimes have a lot of red tape to shooting on site, but they are also sometimes the most hidden gems.

Bookstores, libraries, or a study could be a great location for a bookworm. Or hit the pavement on your bikes and let’s find some magical trails. Love riding in your vintage convertible? Well hey—so would I. Let’s make it happen!

o I am pretty much always on the lookout for the next great place to shoot, so if you are needing some help brainstorming, feel free to visit the local list on my website to start the brewing of some ideas that you love and represent you!

Www.bricostello.com/houstonphoto-locations (password: showmeround!)

A final note to consider with your

n location would be the accessibility and liability of a space. Some locations may require entrance fees, or may not allow any professional shoots at all, so if anyone owns the property you have in mind, it may be a good idea just to check with the owners and get a confirmation that we will be okay to shoot there in advance.

what to wear To begin, as with every other aspect of photography and planning your shoot, you want to maintain a style that is true to you. Now, that isn’t to say that you can’t have some fun and push the boundaries a bit to create images that will pop and highlight you in a way that may not include the baseball cap that you wear every day! My most basic advice is to coordinate, and NOT match. Coordinating means colors that are in the same tonal pattern; however, this can be a bit deceptive, as the right orange and green really can work together! On the opposite page, the couple is wearing bright blue and pink. Given the playful backdrop of the Ferris Wheel and fair, their colors pop and mesh with the environment, while still highlighting them. In a green, wooded forest, creams, oranges and reds come across beautifully. Caution colors are shades of teal and coral. They definitely can work, but it will likely be with contrasting deep, bold or cool crème colors. Additionally, adding a fun accessory to your wardrobe can also add that extra ZING! Fun colored sunglasses, a special lacey blouse, bright patentleather shoes, or suspenders all add to your outfit and transform your look from daily wear to magazine-ready.

When plotting your outfit choices, keep in mind the weather and shooting conditions. If there is a chance of rain, bring along your mud boots and a cute umbrella. If you are wearing those killer heels, but we are walking from location-to-location, pack and extra pair of flats to get around.

For the boys, a standard shirt that you like is a good start, but think of a way to make it a little more than everyday. Add a hat or suspenders. Maybe a vest, or a tie with some pop. Roll up your sleeves for a more casual look, or add some colorful socks!

When putting multiple outfits together, you will want to look like you are both going to the same party. Try to avoid one being in a long, formal dress and the other like they are going for a casual Saturday stroll. If you are going for a modern look, pick outfits for you both that match the aesthetic. If you are harbor side at a coffee shop, aim for that comfy, seaside look.

Patterns can work great, but be sure not to combine too many! Also, if you have a strong-patterned shirt, make sure your environment is more simple and subtle and would work well with your choices.

And finally, wear what you feel excellent in! Day-of, it can be a good idea to bring an extra option or two in case we have time for wardrobe changes, or in the event of wardrobe malfunction. And should you want a second opinion, you can always shoot me your looks before-hand!

Do we get every image you shoot?

Short answer: No. Long answer: Because you don’t want every image. I try to shoot economically, but sometimes you are just too adorable and the light is too good, and so I simply take a lot of photos. I will curate an album of images for you so that the images you receive encapsulate the very best of each of the moments from our shoot!

How will we get our photos?

I have a client proofing webpage hosted

by Instaproofs where you will be able to download all of your images. Within 2-3 weeks of our shoot, I will send you an

email detailing how to access the website and your photos. You can also order prints directly from the website, and there are a number of print proof packages to check out, as well.

What if we go over our time, but want to keep shooting?

I am typically pretty generous with my package time and images. That stated, in the event that we are severely off-schedule and have to make decisions — pending my availability—we can discuss the extra time and you can authorize an extra hour, which I will bill after our session. And hey—an extra hour means extra images,

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too! So that’s cool.

Can we bring other people or animals to our session?

Of course you can! Furry friends can always be a great compliment to any session. Keep in mind that this session is still about you, so if you bring family members, my suggestion would be to be clear about your expectations, where they should be and when. As for furry friends, you may want them in a few shots, but if you don’t have them in throughout the entire session, be sure to consider who will be taking care of them.

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What if it rains or there is really bad weather the day of our shoot?

If your shoot is rained or “weathered” out, we can reschedule. However, if it isn’t an all-out downpour, and just light rain, I have the equipment to keep my camera and lenses safe. Sometimes the most dramatic sessions come after a light drizzle, or when massive grey clouds are brewing in the distance. We will avoid natural phenomenon, such as: severe lightning, hurricanes, tornados, and hail storms.

When do we pay for our session?

In order to hold your booking, we must

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receive full payment; therefore, payment is due upon booking, unless otherwise arranged.

For viable reasons, sessions can be cancelled for no charge up to 14 days before the shoot. After the 14 days, you will be charged 30% of the package rate.

If you need to cancel 24 hours before the shoot, you will not be refunded your package fee. Should we be able to reschedule your session, the amount paid will be applied to your portrait package.

What if we can’t reschedule?

If you book a session and then have to cancel and are unable to reschedule, the

above charges would apply. However, if we have to cancel as a result of weather or any issues on the photographer’s behalf, you will be refunded in full for your session.

Do I own the photos?

Bri Costello Photography retains both the artistic copyright and usage of the images from our session. That stated, you receive a personal usage license, meaning--you can also and print and share the images in whatever way you like, so long as you aren’t making boucous of money from the images themselves. :)

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