SESSION
GUIDE
For Portraits and Engagements
TABLE OF CONTENTS i.
when to book
ii.
about the session
iii.
location, location, location
iv.
what to wear
v.
faq
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. In the park pictured to the left, for example, in the top photo we shot in fall—which created rich, amber and neutral tones. I went back in the spring to shoot the photo on the bottom, and just look at the difference! If you have the luxury of shooting anytime of the year, consider your aesthetic and what environment you feel most comfortable in.
allow you to achieve this vibe 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 after the sun comes up (I know—I am not a morning person, either!) 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 For a city, you may want to book in golden tone to photos that we all spring where you can rock a summer love. I am available to book evening dress or dapper draps for the boys. If sessions on weekends, and I can do you are going for a session with morning sessions any morning layers, color, and coziness, cooler throughout the week or on the weather and a winter session will weekend. The best thing about a
weekday morning session is that streets tend to be less filled with clutter and noise, parks have less people, and sometimes—just sometimes—you catch that mysterious morning haze that adds an undeniably zip to your images! A note on booking. Photos tend to take 2-4 weeks for processing, so if you are wanting images for a Save the Date, or engagement announcement, senior picture announcements, 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. Any questions on this, or last minute issues, always feel free to contact me directly at bri@bricostello.com.
ABOUT THE
SESSION
The goal of our session is always to capture you: where you are in life, how you are, and what excites you. Portrait sessions are a rare opportunity to really capture your creativity, expression, and individuality.
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,
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 prompt you, or you and yours, 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.
Depending on the portrait package you book, I tend to like to plan for a few different “looks” or feels. Think about the different aspects of your life or your relationship and develop shoots that embody those moods. Pick a spunky outfit and location that helps you to show your playful side. Another look could be soft colors in a field to show the sweet or tender side of you or your relationship. But you get the point—create “looks” that
match your environment and fit your personality. If we are changing locations, be sure you have thought through how and when you will change. Travel time and setup is also included in your session time, so try not to get too intense with your moves. For wedding couples, an engagement shoot is the perfect way for you and I to get to know each other! We can “practice” before the wedding and figure out your style of shooting before the big day. If there is any feedback you have for me after our shoot, always feel free to let me know.
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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 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
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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
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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 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.
O Well hey—so would I. Let’s make it happen!
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A final note to consider with your location would be the accessibility and liability of a space. Some locations I am pretty much always on the lookout may require entrance fees, or may not for the next great place to shoot, so if allow any professional shoots at all, so if Bookstores, libraries, or a study could be you are needing some help anyone owns the property you have in a great location for a bookworm. Or brainstorming, definitely just let me mind, it may be a good idea just to hit the pavement on your bikes and know and we can start the brewing of check with the owners and get a let’s find some magical trails. Love some ideas that you love and represent confirmation that we will be okay to riding in your vintage convertible? you! shoot there in advance.
W H A T TO W E A R 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 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 locationto-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 at bri@bricostello.com.
FAQ Do we get every image you shoot?
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.
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. What if we go over our time, but want to I will curate an album of images for you keep shooting? so that the images you receive encapsulate the very best of each of the I am typically pretty generous with my moments from our shoot! package time and images. That stated, How will we get our photos? in the event that we are severely offschedule and have to make decisions — I have a client proofing webpage hosted pending my availability—we can discuss by Instaproofs where you will be able to the extra time and you can authorize an download all of your images. Within 2-3 extra hour, which I will bill after our session.
And hey—an 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.
What if it rains or there is really bad weather the day of our shoot?
is due upon booking, unless otherwise arranged. If you have booked a wedding package, and you are applying If your shoot is rained or “weathered” out, your discount to a session, simply let me we can reschedule. However, if it isn’t an know and I can adjust the pricing invoice all-out downpour, and just light rain, I for you. have the equipment to keep my camera What if we have to cancel our session? and lenses safe. Sometimes the most dramatic sessions come after a light For viable reasons, sessions can be drizzle, or when massive grey clouds are cancelled for no charge up to 14 days brewing in the distance. We will avoid before the shoot. After the 14 days, you natural phenomenon, such as: severe will be charged 30% of the package rate. lightning, hurricanes, tornados, and hail If you need to cancel 24 hours before the storms. shoot, you will not be refunded your When do we pay for our session? package fee. Should we be able to reschedule your session, the amount paid In order to hold your booking, we must will be applied to your portrait package. receive full payment; therefore, payment
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.
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.