Your Family
Photo Session
- Prep Guide -
Here you will find everything you need to know from picking the perfect location to how the session is going to play out! Please read this all through when you first receive it and a day or two before your shoot! The more prepared you are, the better this session is going to be! And prepare to have a lot of fun, and to make fun of MJ’s dance moves and celebrity impressions (ask him to do Kermit The Frog first! LOL). I promise I will probably bust a move at least once, and burst out into song!
The goal of this session is to capture your family as it is, chaos and all. Whether you have one little baby or five teenagers, we want to make sure that everyone is represented in who they are! Parents, please do not stress out if your baby, child, or teenager is not behaving how you had imagined for the shoot. We have kids of our own (some grown, and MJ has a 10 year old) and can handle the tantrums and running around like crazy. We work around the kids and their temperaments instead of trying to get them to work for us.
So let’s get to it!
Location
The first thing to remember when it comes to picking a location for your family session is figuring out the vibe you want. Do you want to go on an adventure or have a quiet snuggle session at home? Do you want to splash around at the beach or frolic in the fields? When you know the vibe and style you want, that makes it easier to narrow down your location choices.
My advice to you is pick something your kids will enjoy. The more excited they are by their surroundings, the happier they will be. If they don’t particularly like getting wet, then maybe the beach isn’t the right place for you. If they love throwing rocks into water (what kid doesn’t?!) then we can find a cute creek! The key is finding somewhere that is interesting enough to keep them happy!
Lighting
Leave the lighting to us. Almost any place you pick, we will be able to work with. Once you have chosen your location, let us know and then we will help you determine the best time to go so that we can get the best lighting for you! Just remember that your location will affect how the light looks. If you want pictures that are brighter with lots of natural light you will need an outdoor location with great natural backgrounds, and preferably not in direct sunlight, but more shaded areas for consistent images. So just keep that in mind.
What To Wear
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD
You might be REALLY tempted to go out and buy a whole new outfit (believe me, I’m all for an excuse to buy new clothes!) but you might consider wearing some of your favourite pieces that you already have! Feeling comfortable in your clothes is going to make such a huge difference to how you act in front of the camera. Wearing something that you already know you love will give you that boost of confidence that you might need! Especially for kids. Make sure they wear the outfits you want them to wear in the photos, wearing new clothes can sometimes be uncomfortable!
So then, what to wear?!
We’ve established that you must feel fabulous in whatever you’re wearing, but if the outfit doesn’t come immediately to mind, here are some tips that might help you out!
Think about the location. It might be hard to maneuver through a waterfall in heels! Make sure you’re dressed in a way to make it easier to move (there will be a lot of moving around!). If your signature look is a pair of heels, remember to bring a pair of sneakers or slip ons in case we are going on an adventure to get to our location!
This isn’t the time to try out a new style. Wear something that you would normally wear. If dresses are not your thing and you hardly ever wear one, don’t feel pressured to wear one if you want the photos to look sophisticated! There are other ways to achieve that look without going outside of your comfort zone! You want to look like yourself in these pictures. Remember, feeling comfortable and confident is key!
Solid colour outfits tend to look better than prints, which can be distracting and overwhelming. If you do go with a print, make sure it’s not too loud! If you are a bold person, opt for a super fun pair of shoes or showcase it with your accessories, rather than a bold print!
Start with a neutral base and build from there. Neutral tones are typically more flattering and cohesive than bright colours. Pick two or three neutrals to start with and then add little accents of colour if you want!
Avoid tight fitting clothes that might highlight areas that you’d rather not have highlighted.
Consider the weather! Make sure you’re prepared with cute coats if it’s rainy or snowy!
If you want to match, choose neutral colors as your base.
When trying to coordinate outfits in a family we find it easy to do one main outfit. Use the same base neutrals and find different ways to incorporate your own personal pops of colour, to fit your personality. Remember to think of your location. Try to coordinate with the setting, you don’t want to clash with the trees or even with your own home decor.
When dressing kids for sessions, keep these things in mind:
Avoid character themed clothing. Their favourite show might be Paw Patrol or Ninja Turtles but stay away from logos, images, or graphics. Even though it might be their favourite shirt, it will be a serious distraction in the image.
Make sure they have matching socks!
Being able to move around in their clothing is a must!
If you’re still stuck, head to pinterest for inspiration and you can send me pictures of your outfit(s) if you want my opinion! When in doubt, ask!
Be Prepared
You might be thinking, “okay, we’ve got our location and we know what we’re wearing, what else is there to know?”
There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures!
Avoid foods the day before your shoot that make you feel bloated (fast food, foods that are high in salt or fat or sugar). Trust me, being bloated is not going to make you feel pretty during your shoot!
Speaking of food, keep it light the morning of as well, bring some snacks (especially if we are adventuring!). For children, make sure they are well fed and watered and rested before the shoot! Bring non-mess snacks. Avoid gummies, chocolate, or crumbly items, instead opt for cheerios, raisins, even mini marshmallows, white cheese (in case it gets stuck in their teeth), or a promise for a bigger treat later… we are not above bribery!
Make sure everything is all ready the day before so you aren’t scrounging up your clothes in the morning, you don’t want to be flustered before your shoot!
Don’t get your hair cut/coloured right before the shoot, the best time to do it is about a week to two weeks before.
Try on your outfit a couple days before the shoot, you want to make sure that you still feel great in it. If you don’t feel great, change it up!
Talk to your kids about the session before. It’s best not to surprise them with it, if they know what’s coming they can prepare themselves (even children as little as 2 need some warning!). You can show them family pictures and tell them that a silly friend is coming to take their pictures, but not to worry because they aren’t going to have to sit and smile for an hour!
If you have any questions about your session (that isn’t answered in this guide) send me us a message!
What to Bring
We are “better-bring-it-just-to-be-safe” kind of people, so having back-up stuff always gives you peace of mind. However, here are some handy dandy things that you might end up needing!
Water bottles (especially for those summer sessions or hiking sessions, it gets hot!)
A brush, hairspray, and/or gel. Do you trust your hair to stay how you want it for 1-2 hours? We definitely don’t trust ours, but you’re the one who is in front of the camera!
On that same note, bring a little makeup bag for touch ups. Make sure to include some type of towel in case anyone gets too sweaty.
Please don’t bring gum! But definitely bring tic tacs or something.
Umbrellas, because weather.
A change of clothes. You might want to switch it up (and you are more than welcome to!) So don’t forget to bring that with you. It also helps to have a back up in case you fall (or get pushed) into a puddle or something.
Comfortable shoes!
Hair & Makeup
Working with professional photographers is a little different than dealing with “selfies from your IPhone,” lol. Our cameras see just about every little detail imaginable, so having camera-ready hair and makeup is ESSENTIAL before a photo session. If you are familiar with High Definition camera makeup then feel free to apply your own. However, if your makeup has any reflective powders or shimmery chemicals, it can make your skin look unnaturally “alien-like” from outer space, and you won’t like the images, so will want to hire a professional makeup artist. Here are some great tips and tricks from the pros, to help get you camera ready, and feeling fully confident.
What Sort Of Products Should You Look For?
Before you can even think about applying makeup, you have to make sure you have the right products. For instance, if you’re a beginner, you’ll want to use non reflective powder products instead of liquid products — they’re easier to blend, which is extremely important in photography.
It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll want to purchase quality products, as cheaper brands will make your skin appear cracked and wrinkly on camera. (Trust me, the extra cash you’ll have to shell out is worth the hours you’ll spend trying to fix it on photoshop.) You’ll also want to avoid products with built-in sunscreen in it — it doesn’t work well with flash photography and can give the face a mask-like appearance in photos. For similar reasons, you’ll want to stay away from shimmery or glittery products altogether and instead opt for matte.
Skin Prep
This should be a given anytime you wear makeup, but it’s worth repeating: always, always wash, exfoliate and moisturize your face first. Not only is it good for your skin and your complexion, but it’s always best to start on a fresh canvas.
Before you start applying your foundation or concealer, you’ll also want to remember to coat your face with a thin layer of color correcting primer. Not only does it help ensure your makeup stays in place after the long hours of shooting, but it also lessens the appearance of your makeup and fine lines, making your skin appear younger and more natural. Especially target the areas under your eyes, on your nose, and on your forehead and cheekbones. Any red areas should be primed with a green tinted color correcting primer.
Foundation and Powders
When it comes to foundation, you don’t want to use just any product you happen to have on hand. In fact, when shopping around for the perfect foundation for photos, you’ll want to make sure you select the closest possible shade to your skin tone — anything lighter or darker darker will look awkward and more obvious in photos. If you choose to pair your foundation with a powder, avoid HD powders — while they look nice in-person, your skin will appear to have white patches in photos. Instead, opt for colored loose powder or a regular powder compact.
When it comes to application, you don’t have to worry about full coverage — the camera will wash out most of your blemishes. If you’re wearing a lot of makeup, it’ll be obvious in pictures, especially ones taken in natural light. Instead of trying to make your skin look flawless, focus on making sure it looks natural.
Contouring and Highlighting
Flash photography is known for washing out the subject’s face, which is why contouring and highlighting is extremely important for photoshoots. Use a contour with a matte finish under your cheekbones, along your temples, and under your jawline to add definition and depth to your face. Once you’ve finished contouring, you’ll want to highlight your cheekbones and cupid’s bow in the same places the light would hit them naturally.
Eyes
The eyes are often the most important part of the subject in a photoshoot, which is why it’s important to make them pop. Be sure to use black eyeliner and mascara (instead of brown or gray) and, if you’re wanting extra drama, don’t be afraid to use fake lashes.
When it comes to eyeshadow, you’ll want to keep your eye color in mind. Blues and greens tend to look better with warmer shades like golden browns, peaches, or reddish browns, while hazel eyes pair well with purples, grays, and pinks. Brown eyes tend to be neutral, pairing well with nearly any color. To add definition and depth to the eyes, you’ll want to use a lighter shade for the inner corner of the eye, a medium shade for the rest of the eyelid, and a darker shade for the crease.
Eyebrows
You’ll want to make sure your eyebrows are waxed or plucked a few days before the shoot so that they’re clean, defined, but not irritated. You’ll also want to make sure you fill them in on the day of the shoot, especially if they’re blond — eyebrows often get washed out in pictures, so darkening them in a must.
Blush and Lips
Professional cameras and studio lights tend to soften makeup by about 50%, so it’s important to apply more color to your cheeks and lips than what you may be used to. You’ll want to use brighter colors, especially on your lips, as natural hues and nudes are harder to capture on camera. Use matte lipsticks ONLY on your lips, because it is long lasting and won’t come off onto your family when doing snuggling sessions or pecks on the cheeks. You may also want to apply gloss to your lips, as they’ll make them appear fuller and plumper.
The Finishing Touches
First thing’s first: is everything blended? This is extremely important in photography, so make sure you haven’t missed anything before you call it good. Once you feel confident with the look, use setting spray to ensure the makeup stays intact. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to touch up during the shoot — makeup melts exceptionally fast in studio settings, so be sure to keep concealer, powder, and lipstick on hand, as well as skin blotters if you have oilier skin.
It may sound like a lot of work, but as soon as you have the basics down, it’s simple. Just follow our tips and tricks and voila — you’ll be camera ready in no time.
Let us know if you would like a list of local Hair & Makeup professionals that we may be able to recommend to you. It is so nice to get that pampering and TLC before a photo session, so that you are relaxed and comfortable, instead of stressed. Many artists will come right to you.
Are you ready to have fun!
Because we are! And we can’t wait to see you, and create AMAZING images together, that will be cherished through the generation.