Brooke Tyson Portrait Guide by Brooke Tyson

A Guide For

Brooke Tyson FAMILIES

Welcome! I am so happy that you are here! I love photographing portrait sessions and I am so looking forward to photographing your session. This guide will help provide some style inspiration, some ideas about timing, and some location advice (in case we do not already have a location selected). Most of all, though, my goal with this guide is to help you feel comfortable about and excited for your session! It can be nerve wracking having your photo taken (I definitely feel the same way when I am in pictures!), but my goal is to help you feel relaxed, happy, and like yourself - so that when you look back on your photos, you not only have beautiful, natural pictures but also wonderful memories as a family together. I can’t wait to see you for your session soon and create magic and memories together!

xoxo,

Brooke

L ETS TA L K A BOU T

Me and You 5

THE GIFT OF friendship This may not be what you were expecting to find in your photographer’s client guide, but if you don’t read anything else in this magazine, please read this. It’s so important for me to explain how I view my relationshiop with my families. Early into my business, I started realizing that what I desired in my business, more than anything, was a personal connection with the people I work with. Everyone wants to be known, seen, loved and befriended. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a human being who didn’t appreciate someone caring about who they are and what they’re passionate about. In the early years of my business, I committed to forming friendships with my clients and intentionally caring to get to know them. Having a heart for genuine friendships in my business has become a huge part of my purpose in life. Not only are my friendships with my clients a gift to me, but it positively impacts my client’s photography experience, too. I want you to feel like a friend is photographing you and your family. Friendship breeds comfortability and comfortability leads to trust... and trust is something that EVERYONE needs to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera! I value the friendships I form with my clients so much. You may be a “client” now, but I can gaurantee that we will be friends very soon!

Your

PORT R A I

SESSION

FA M I LY PR E P & OU T F I TS It’s always a little intimidating to have your pictures taken. Even if its just a photo on an iPhone that is taken by a friend, we still want to look nice, make sure nothing is in our teeth and that our hair is behaving! I realize that preparing for your portrait session can be a little overwhelming. The next few pages have tips for outfits and accessories that will make the preparation a little bit more managable!

- Don’t try to MATCH... Try to pick outfits and accessories that coordinate instead. Instead of all wearing the exact same color, pick two or three coordinating colors to spread out among family members.

- MOST PATTERNS are actually ok... However, graphics are not favorable for portraits. If you’re wearing a pattern, make sure it’s not overwhelming and distracting.

- An example of coordinating would be that one parent could wear a maroon dress; another parent could wear khakis and a maroon or cream shirt; one child could wear a cream, blue, or maroon shirt; another child could wear one of those colors as pants, skirt, or dress.

- Empty your pockets! Literally. You don’t want to have key chains, wallets, or phones showing through your pockets.

- Please feel free to email me photos of outfits you are considering. I am happy to offer ideas and advice! And use the ideas here to help guide you, too. -It’s best to avoid wearing super bright colors that can reflect color tones on your skin such as a neon (green and yellow can be a challenge).

- Don’t be afraid to be BOLD! Accessorize and make your outfits your own! Scarves, bold necklaces, fun shoes and floral crowns are always welcomed!

- Make sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. You want to feel like you. - Relax! You don’t have to be a pro at this. I’m going to help you along the way and it’s going to be a blast! Enjoy this time with your family.

DECIDING ON YOUR

STYLE

what style do you prefer? BOLD or NUETRAL

DRE SSY or CA SUAL

CLASSIC or TRENDY These choices represent the three main decisions you will have to make in regards to your outfit choices. There are no right or wrong answers! If you’re feeling stuck and can’t seem to determine what you prefer, that’s very normal! Oftentimes, it is best for one person to choose a keystone outfit and plan the rest of the outfits around that one. So, if mom has a favorite dress, make that the keystone outfit and plan the rest of the outfits to coordinate with that one. Here are some general “rules of thumb” when it comes to styling during a portraitsession. Once you read through these, you may have a better understanding of what you perfer and you can start planning your outfits. These “rules of thumbs” are based off of my experience and aren’t concrete rules that can’t be broken. However, if you have questions about one of them in regards to what you want to wear, just email me and we can talk about what would be best! :

Things to Avoid: 1. Colors to avoid : bright reds, neons, bright oranges (they reflect color onto skin and can be difficult to edit!) 2. Avoid patterns smaller than a quarter : Tiny patterns cause something called “Chromatic Abberation” in digital images. Men’s checkered shirts are fine if the “checks” are on the larger side. 3. Alternate Heaviness: If one of you is wearing very dark jeans, the other may want to wear lighter pants. If one of you is wearing a navy top, the other shouldn’t wear a dark/heavy colored top. To a certain degree, alternating the “heaviness” of your outfits can make your images look more balanced. 4. Avoid one person being casual while the others are more dressy: This can look a bit awkward in photos. If one of you is dressed up and the other is casual, it can look a little odd in your images. 16

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS TOO DR ESSED UP! Have you thought about rocking a sequined gown, tulle skirt, or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up! Remember, there is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your photos, so don’t be afraid to have some fun! If you don’t want to add a new permanent piece to your collection, Rent the Runway is a super fun choice.

C O O R D I N AT I N G T H E L O O K AS you are coordinating your outfit with your family’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palettes coordinate, but do not necessarily “match.” You should each aim to wear two-three different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then another family member could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. This adds a second dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. A child chould then wear one of those dominant colors (blush or navy) and easily coordinate. Most importantly, wear what you love! If matching perfectly fits you, do it!

ENGAGEMENT STYLE GUIDE | 5

F U R RY FR IEN DS

If you know me then you know my cats and dogs are important members of our family. I’ve shot many portrait sessions that included furry friends! If you would like to add your dog, cat, or other pet in for part of your session I’m all for it! Here’s a few helpful tips! First, unless this is a mini session (in which case I will have an assistant who can help hold pets), we will need a friend/family member that is willing to tag along and help out; preferably someone your dog is comfortable with already. This way we can ease your dog into photos once you’re warmed up in front of the camera and if there are any distractions nearby we have a person to help. Bringing a helper allows you both to focus more on each other and less on making sure your pup is behaving. It’s a good idea to feed your dog so they don’t have an empty belly. Try to tire your dog out before your session, this way they will be more calm and cooperative. Take your dog for a walk before your session starts. Please make sure your location is pet friendly; not every park or outdoor area allows dogs. Always bring treats and a toy for bribery! This will help get them to look towards the camera and they can be rewarded. Try not to get too set on specific ideas when it comes to taking photos with your dog. As we know, they can be unpredictable and don’t always want to follow directions when it comes to posing and sitting still for the camera - but no matter what you will have photos with them that you can cherish forever! 43

Don’t forget waste bags if we’re shooting in a public place. If its really hot outside bring along water and a portable water bowl. Last you’ll want to make sure your dog is looking their best. Groom them a week prior or bath them beforhand so he or she is clean and ready for their closeup. Also consider what collar & leash to bring. You already spent time coordinating your outfits together so make sure it doesn’t clash with the colors you’ve chosen. Example, if your dogs leash is a neon color, it will stick out like a sore thumb!

THE CHECKLIST A H E L PER (fa m i ly me m b e r or f r ie nd) PET FR I EN DLY L OC AT ION A N ICE COL L A R & L E A SH (L eat he r or a ne ut ra l colored) ACCESSOR I ES (B ow Ties, b ows or f lora ls a re welcome!) PACK A BAG W IT H : Treats, Water & Portable Bowl, Waste Bags, Their Favorite Toy) w w w.T heRove rB out iq u e.com

SHOPS:

w w w.Cre wL a L a .com w w w.et s y.com w w w. B one A nd B ow t ie.com 44

ENGAGEMENT STYLE GUIDE | 5

SELECTING THE R IGHT

Location The location of your portrait session is up to you! I have lots of favorite locations that I am happy to reccomend or we can photograph somewhere special to you. Good light and minimal crowds are two of the biggest factors - but the most important thing is that you choose somewhere that feels authentic to you. Your location will also most likely be the deciding factor in figuring out the best day for your session. If its a location that is normally very busy on weekends such as parks, gardens, downtown cities, or places that host events, then your session should be scheduled on a weekday evening to avoid crowds which can very easily take up precious time of your session and can dictate where we can shoot at.

L O C AT I O N L O G I S T I C S - I have a list of favorite locations that I am happy to share with you! I have photography permits for some of these and I can provide permit information for those that require a permit. - I can do weekday sunrise sessions if necessary! I require sunrise shoots for those who want to take portraits in very crowded locations such as the DC Cherry Blossoms, cities, and places that are normally busy, etc. - I love when families include props! Nothing is too big. A cute tandem bike, a couch, a picnic for two. It is up to you! For mini sessions, I will often have some props already, too! - Mini sessions will be scheduled at one of my favorite spots. You can be certain that your mini session will be in a beautiful location!

T I P: My weekends tend to fill up in advance. You can get a Fast Pass to the front of the line by scheduling during a weekday. 14

NAT U R A L L IGH T I NG I believe that natural light from the sun and its ref lections creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and true to you as a couple. The two hours before the scheduled sunset is referred to as “the golden hour” by photographers. This is when the light is the dreamiest. Ideally, we would plan your session during the two hours before sunset if possible. But there is wonderful light truly any time of the day if we look for it - and my goal is to always put my clients in the best light. It can be challenging scheduling a session during the two hours before sunset with children - especially in the summer, when the sun sets later. Talk to me about what time works best for you and we can use this to figure out our location. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your session date, especially if you’re taking time off work or have evening plans afterward. I want you to have the most beautiful photos possible. If the weather looks cloudy or rainy, lets talk about rescheduling to a day with better weather if you are able to.

A P P RO X I M AT E S TA RT T I M E S WINTER

SUMMER

D e c-Mar 3-5pm

Jun-Aug 6:30-8:30pm

During December through Mid-

Summer sessions, just like all por-

March you can plan on your session

trait sessions, take place two hours

taking place around 3-5pm. How-

before sunset. This will hopefully

ever, the time changes in Mid-March

mean that the shoot will be during

and so that will make the start time

the cooler part of the day.

one hour later.

SPRING

FALL

Apr-May - Varies

S ep -Nov - Varies

The sunset time drastically changes

The sunset time also changes drasti-

throughout the course of these two

cally during these three months. In

months and so our shooting times

Sep, you can plan on 5:30-7:30 until

change as well. You can plan on ap-

the third week and then you can plan

proximately 5:30-7:30 in April and

on 5:00-7:00 until Mid- Oct. After

6:00-8:00 in May.

the first week of Nov, 3:00-5:00pm. 22

YO U R O N L I N E G A L L E RY

Years ago you had to order prints of the images that you wanted to have forever. That isn’t how I work around here! I want you to have ALL of your memories in your possession forever and ever! I also want you to share your images freely and without any hesitation. This is why I deliver your images via an online gallery! This means that you don’t have to wait on a package in the mail and you’ll have access to your photos wherever you are! I’ve listed some important information that will help you understand your online gallery and all that it can do on the next page. Enjoy!

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D O W N L OA D I N G P H O T O S :

You w i l l b e a ble to dow n loa d you r e d ite d i ma g e s d i re c t ly f rom you r on l i ne g a l ler y a nd t he y w i l l b e h i g h re solut ion . T h i s pro ce s s i s ver y si mple! A l l you h ave to do i s c l ic k t he “c loud a r row icon” a nd you w i l l b e prompte d to enter you r na me a nd ema i l . Once you enter you r na me a nd ema i l , you w i l l have a cce s s to you r photos . You r photos w i l l dow n loa d d i re c t ly to you r “ Dow n loa d s” f older.

AC C E S S I N G P H O T O S O N Y O U R P H O N E :

T he on l i ne g a l ler y s y stem t hat I u s e i s ver y mobi le f r iend ly! I f you pu l l up you r g a l ler y i n you r brow s er on you r i Phone/i Pa d , you w i l l b e a ble to a cce s s you r g a l ler y l i n k (b ot h we dd i n g a nd eng a g ement g a l ler ie s) a nd you c a n dow n loa d i nd iv idu a l i ma g e s to you r i Phone to u s e f or c le a r, cr i sp i n st a g ra m photos .

OR DER I NG PR I N TS:

You c a n a c t u a l ly order prof e s siona l a nd a f f ord a ble pr i nt s f rom w it h i n you r on l i ne g a ller y a nd have t hem sh ipp e d d i re c t ly to you r hou s e! Pr i nt si z e s a re a l l u nder $10 a nd a re pr i nte d i n a prof e s siona l l a b to en s u re color a nd cont ra st a cc u ra c y. You a re more t ha n welcome to pr i nt i ma g e s on you r ow n . I love u si n g Mpi x . com!

G A L L E RY E X PI R AT IO N:

You r g a l ler ie s w i l l b e l ive f or at le a st one f u l l ye a r! Howe ver, e ven t hou g h you w i l l have a cce s s to you r i ma g e s f or a ye a r, I wou ld st i l l re com mend dow n loa d i n g t hem a nd s av i n g t hem i n mu lt iple pl a ce s f or s a f e ke epi n g . I a lway s re com mend ba c k i n g up you r f i le s on c loud stora g e , l i ke Dropb ox , a nd ple a s e u s e a s y stem of re du nd a nc y.

SH A R I NG , WAT E R M A R K I NG & E DI T I NG :

You have t he f re e dom to sha re you r i ma g e s i n a ny way t h at you c ho os e! T he s e a re YOU R i ma g e s a nd I wa nt you to love t hem so muc h t h at you c a n’t help but sha re t hem! I don’t b el ie ve t hat it i s ne ce s s a r y to water ma rk my i ma g e s . A l l I a sk f or i s some t y p e of cre d it/t a g whene ver you u s e a n i ma g e on so c ia l me d ia . I appre c iate it so muc h when couple s t a g me . I do not do a ny a dver t i si n g a nd a l l of my bu si ne s s i s bu i lt t h rou g h word of mout h a nd so c i a l me d i a . T h a n k you!

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THANK YOU L a st , but cer ta i n ly not lea st , T H A N K YOU for tr u st i ng me w it h you r specia l f a m i ly por tra it s . I ’m so honored to b e t he one capt u r i ng you r memor ie s a nd sha r i ng t h i s f u n t i me w it h you a nd you r f a m i ly. It me a ns so much to me to work w it h t he sa me f a m i l ie s ye a r a f ter ye a r a nd to meet ne w f a m i l ie s ea ch sea son , to o. I cher i sh t he se f r iend sh ips so much a nd I love capt u r i ng specia l photos t hat you ca n d i splay a nd look ba c k on for ye a rs to come . Plea se feel f ree to conta c t me w it h A N Y que st ions you may have a long t he way! I hope t h i s g u ide ha s b een helpf u l a s you pla n for you r p or tra it se ssion .

xoxo,

Brooke