SESSION STYLE GUIDE For Potrtaits and Engagements | Vol. III
TABLE OF CONTENTS i.
about the session
ii.
when to book
iii.
location, location, location
iv.
what to wear
v. faq vi.
printing
Portrait sessions are a rare opportunity to capture your creativity, expression, individuality, and above all--
your love.
About the session Not sure what to expect from our session? See the images on my website or in this guide and think--“I want those photos, but I can’t do that!” Or maybe you’re a bit intimidated and swear you are so unphotogenic or you “can’t do serious.” Not to worry. Let this guide set your mind at ease and get you excited. We are going to have fun. Even the boys! So, if ya need to grab a glass of wine, or he needs a shot of tequila before the session, by all means--have at it! Perhaps you look through this guide and you are stoked because you know, “Dude, I’ve got this!” Well, excellent! Let’s rock and roll! The main goal of a portrait session before your wedding is for me to get to know you a bit better, for us to get comfortable working together, and to have a whole bunch of fun. And 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 life--be it love, your dress, the next stage in life, etc. 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 stay up an extra twenty with a hot tea, sit down, get cozy, and take a few minutes to go over some tips and tricks of a portrait session. Our time together will typically begin with a few pointers on photo basics to get us going in the right direction and a super-easy starting point--something basic. Mostly during the session, we will be looking for interesting backgrounds and good (or dramatic) light. Once we find a good spot, I will move everyone in to position and then prompt you to make it your own and just act naturally. I may move hands or faces 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. From our starting point, I will then encourage you to incorporate movement--this may be walking, swinging arms, flaring your dress, playing with your hair, taking a spin, or moving in for a smooch. And don’t be phased if I ask you to do the same thing or walk the same section of ground several times. From our initial meeting spot, we will often walk around, chat, wander, and explore to find hidden gems that offer interest and art. 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. I also encourage you to practice your “looks” in the mirror before you arrive. Jsut a few minutes of mirror-time, and I find it give clients that extra bit of confidence going in to the shoot. However, my biggest piece of advice is to just relax and enjoy it. Forget the camera is there. Or even pretend I am paying YOU as a model to stand in front of my camera. The shift in mindset can help get over any insecurities of “getting in to it,” when people are looking your direction or you start to feel silly. When everyone is relaxed, smiling, and adoring each other, it gives me the opportunity to captrure those quick, yet darling and authentic moments that come from letting go and being real. The goal of our session is always to capture you: where you are in life, how you are, and what excites you and what makes you as a human or a couple tick. 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.
As for styling, try to keep in mind that you will likely be walking around, jumping, moving, sitting, dancing, and perhaps sometimes laying in the grass. So, I recommend a solid a step or two above pajamas or workwear, but just remember to keep it comfortable and a representation of your personalities.
But more on that later.
WHEN to book
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 embracing 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 make-up done, your vendors may prefer the afternoon/sunset session to an often cruely early morning! That stated, 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 just before sunrise that adds an undeniable zip to your images! I am available to book sessions on weekdays, typically Tuesday through Thursday. If these time slots do not work for you, let me know and we can work something out. A note on booking. Photos tend to take 2-4 weeks for processing, so if you are wanting images for a Save the Date,(typically sent out 4-6 months before your wedding date), engagement announcement, holiday card, or senior picture announcement, etc., be sure to work back from the date you need you images to ensure you book your session with enough time to get images back and still make your deadlines. When planning, you will also want to make consideration for rain delays and make sure you have enough time if you are selecting an outdoor location. I love rain, and I have the equipment to shoot in it, so if you want to get muddy, I will gladly come along and play. Also, have a glance at the print lead times later on in this guide if you are needing photos for an occassion so you have an idea of what to expect there. Any questions, you can always reach me at bri@bricostello.com.
YES, to His and Hers
photos. Because you will look back in 20 years and think--dang, I looked good.
Also, everyone needs a new LinkedIn picture.
THE QUICK LIST 1. You should both feel completely comfortable in the space. 2. The space should reflect you as a couple. 3. The space should be clear of too many people or distractions (unless you want this look specifically). 4. The space should fit the look and feel of the images you are hoping to accomplish.
l
The best location will most certainly be the spot that makes you feel most comfortable and most in your element. A place where we 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 lookout for hidden roads, farm field, cool hallways. You can even typically
o
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 be up your alley. Speaking of allies—they can also be great little hidden spots to
c
a
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. 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
t
i
magical trails. Love riding in your vintage convertible? Well hey—so would I. Let’s make it happen! 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 (password: showmeround!) to start the brewing of some ideas that you love and represent you! A final note to consider with your location would be the accessibility
o
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. I encourage you guys to be open to something non-traditional and maybe even a little underwhelming. You will be surprised what we can
n
come up with when you introduce a bit of simplicity to the environment! That stated, we can also take a little road trip to a different terrain if you are wanting something a little less Houston. I love a getaway, and overnight travel for a cool location is super-minimal. So if you are in to this idea, let me know what you are thinking, and we can go from there!
including fur babies You have a pet that absolutely must make it into the session? Bring your babe along! For more tips on how to make this work best, check out the handy FAQ at the end of this session guide.
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 can work really well together! My work focuses a lot on warm tones and golden light, so I love when we can incorporate bold, primary colors. They pop through the image and really make you the center of the image, no matter where you are in the frame. In a green, wooded forest, creams, oranges and reds come across beautifully. Against a bright, city wall, denims, blues, and pops of color and pattern tend to work well. 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 patent-leather 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 beforehand at bri@bricostello.com. A style-guide blog post is linked here for your handy reference.
Let’s get out of town, find an abandoned field or a bit of Texas desert, and make something epic together.
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 Pixieset where you will be able to download all of your images. Within about 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 offschedule 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
F
extra hour means extra images, 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.
A
What if it rains or there is really bad weather the day of our shoot?
payment is due upon booking, unless otherwise arranged.
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.
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.
When do we pay for our session?
If you book a session and then have to cancel and are unable to reschedule, the above charges would apply.
In order to hold your booking, we must receive full payment; therefore,
A
What if we can’t reschedule?
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. :)
Q
PRINTING
You are able to print your photos wherever you like, but I always recommend checking the prices through the proofing site. They are comprable to, if not cheaper than, any other professional printing service, and I can guarantee the quality of the prints and albums through my lab.
LEAD TIMES PRINTS Recommended minimum 5-week turnaround from session date or one-week from order date.
GALLERY WRAPS Recommended 7-week turnaorund from session date or two-week turnaround from order date.
BAMBOO-MOUNTED PRINTS Recommended 7-week turnaround from session date or two-week turnaround from order date.
THANK YOU CARDS Recommended minimum 5-week turnaround from session date or one-week from order date.
HEIRLOOM ALBUMS Recommended minimum 8-week turnaround from session date or 5 weeks from album order.
LAYFLAT ALBUMS Recommended minimum 6-week turnaround from session date or 4 weeks from album order.
HARDCOVER ALBUMS Recommended minimum 6-week turnaround from session date or 4 weeks from album order.
SOFTCOVER ALBUMS Recommended minimum 6-week turnaround from session date or 4 weeks from album order.
And at the end of it all, remember—this little tool is just a guide to help you plan out your session. It is in no way meant to be a hard and fast rule book. This is your session, about who you are. So, be YOU!
...Have fun, and celebrate what is going on in your life.