Session Guide
Newborn Lifestyle / Outdoor Palettes (By Season) / What to expect
Newborn and In-Home Lifestyle Guide
Please begin to feed newborns approximately 15 minutes before my arrival at our scheduled session time. It takes me 10-15 minutes to bring in equipment and set up. You are encouraged to begin wrapping up feeding at this time (if possible).
What parts of the house will you need?
For newborn lifestyle sessions, I will set up my newborn mobile studio near the best lit window. Usually that is an eastern facing window during the morning hours, and a western facing window in the afternoon. I will turn off all overhead lights and lamps to allow for consistent lighting with my lighting equipment and natural light while I take swaddle and posed shots of the baby.
I will also need a corner of the nursery, crib and either a rocker or master bed clean enough to shoot in. This just entails moving clutter to another surface, parents of newborns are NOT expected to have a spotless house!
For all other lifestyle sessions, focus on removing general clutter (trash, laundry, etc.) decorative clutter is fine, as long as you’re okay with it being in photos. As a photographer, I am well experienced in choosing an angle that is most flattering to any scenario, including your home! Do not stress too much about looking like an “instagram house”. Also, remember, there is typically a blur around subjects, leaving background clutter less noticeable.
Color Palettes (By Season)
Spring palettes for outdoor portraits :
I prefer a light and airy color palette for the spring shoots. It compliments the bright sunshine, the nature coming to life, and gives an overall "spring-time" aesthetic that looks so natural during this time of year!
When coordinating for family photos, do not focus on each member having the same exact color, but more on creating a blend of colors that look good together. These palette examples are to help visualize groupings that harmonize in a photo.
If your wardrobe doesn't match any of these color palettes, and you are booking from March-June, don't fret! Pull together a khaki and cream, white, or variant. On a budget, I recommend Old Navy or Target's clearance rack. They often have a variety of plain, simple tones.
Ultimately, focus on keeping patterns simple, avoiding large logos or print materials, and reach out to me if you are unsure!
Fall palettes for outdoor portraits:
For fall, all sessions are taken at sunset or sunrise. This gives that beautiful glow of sunshine that makes images breath-taking and high contrast. The color palettes I've selected for this season match that style, and will help families and couples pop in the fall atmosphere.
When coordinating for family photos, do not focus on each member having the same exact color, but more on creating a blend of colors that look good together. These palette examples are to help visualize groupings that harmonize in a photo.
If your wardrobe doesn't match any of these color palettes, and you are booking from August-November, don't fret! Pull together a dark pair of jeans and black, navy, or your favorite "fall color". On a budget, I recommend Old Navy or Target's clearance rack. They often have a variety of plain, simple tones.
Ultimately, focus on keeping patterns simple, avoiding large logos or print materials, and reach out to me if you are unsure!
What to Expect at Your Session
First, expect to HAVE FUN.
Whether you've booked a couples session, a family session, or something else, your photos are supposed to be FUN. Although I will sometimes pose you, and guide you through the session, I try to focus on capturing unique, candid moments between my subjects. This might mean we have a DANCE PARTY, or frolicking through a field, I will prompt you with fun games, silly jokes, and sometimes ask you to do something ridiculous. But, I promise, my end goal is to get the most natural smiles!
Second, please arrive ON TIME.
My sessions are booked with the expectation that you will arrive on time, and during the best lighting for the day. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may have to reschedule, or there may be less images to choose from. Most hour sessions are booked with exactly an hour before the sun sets. 30 minute sessions may have only 30 minutes left of sun.