Preparing for your shoot
Once you have decided you'd like to partner with me to create your images, go ahead and click on the Book Now link to start the booking process. There, you will choose your package, make your appointment, and complete any necessary deposits or payments, all in one place and at your own convenience. You'll also be instructed to complete a questionnaire to help me give you the best photo experience possible.
After you have scheduled your shoot, you'll receive an email confirmation as well as an email and/or text reminder of our appointment. If you need to reschedule for any reason, you can do so by following the link in your confirmation email.
Clothing
The kind of clothing you choose will greatly determine the final look of your photos. Check your particular session type to find out if it includes clothing changes and how many. If you have clothing changes included in your shoot, decide what looks you'd like to convey. Usually, clients choose one dressy outfit and two casual outfits in different style. Don't be afraid to choose bright colors for any or all of your outfits! This is all about showing off who YOU are!
Don't feel obligated to be matchy-matchy! Different plaids in the same tones but varying colors can be fun. Pick a palette everyone in the photo is comfortable with, and then have everyone wear clothing in that palette. It can be as simple as saying, "Everyone where red, gray, and navy," or as detailed as, "Everyone wear gray or white solid tops, light denims, and an accessory in a bright primary or pastel color."
Try to choose clothing that is timeless.
Monotone basics, like grays or tans or navy blues, with pops of bright primary colors can add a lot of interest to your photo.
Accessorize with vests, hats, or scarves to get the feel you want for your photo. Winter session? have everyone wear white gloves, hats, and scarves! Or buffalo plaid! Summer session? Have someone choose a great patterned outfit and pull colors from it for the rest of the outfits.
Think about texture when choosing outfits. Many of my photos are rendered in black and white, so great texture in clothing will make a more interesting black and white photo.
Think about your shoes! They will likely make it into the photo, so choose something that matches your vibe for the photo. For a professional look, wear dark socks and shoes. For a fun, casual look, consider some bright sneakers or funky boots. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes to walk in a field or gravel lane in. If we are shooting in water, be sure to bring shoes you can get wet, or a change of shoes for after you get wet.
Do your hair the way you normally would while wearing the outfit you're choosing. The goal is to get an honest portrait of who you are every day because you or your loved ones will likely see the photo daily.
When scheduling a haircut, make your appointment at least two weeks prior to your portrait session. I have had people cancel appointments because they don't like the way their new 'do looks! Allow time to live with your new look before your portrait session.
Here's a GREAT inspirational resource from Paint The Moon to check out when choosing clothing for your upcoming shoot.
Children
My philosophy during photo shoots is this: the kid is king! Having photos take can be overwhelming and confusing for children. Think about it: here's an adult they might not know talking directly to them and giving them instructions they might not fully understand. When you arrive for your photo session, we'll try to get the most important shot, like the family photo, out of the way first. Be sure to bring a prop, plush toy, or other item along that you would not mind being in the photo and that your child will feel comfortable allowing me to hold. Also bring along special treats that we can use to encourage children to participate in the session.
I also do lots of candid shots of children, so don't worry if they start picking flowers or pointing at birds or turning around in circles. These sometimes make the best photos and give them good memories of their photo session experience.
Bring along a comb or brush for your child. We sometimes do a lot of jumping and running, and that adorable hat or headband you chose doesn't always make it through the whole shoot!
If you promise your child ice cream or hot cocoa or a trip to the toy store after the shoot, please follow through!
Location
Lighting and location are VERY important when choosing a location for your shoot. Golden hour (just after sunrise or just before sunset) photos should allow for the sun to be behind or on either side of the subject(s) with a wide open sky in front of the subject(s).
Mid-day photos, when the sun is high in the sky, require a large enough area of open shade for all subject(s) and photographer to stand where there is no direct sunlight on the subject(s).
The best locations offer a solid background behind the subject(s), like a golden field, dense trees, evergreens, a brick building, a hillside, etc. An open sky behind the subject(s) is not preferable.
Indoor natural-light photos require plenty of diffused light from a window.
Cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds
Children get sick, cars break down, weather takes a nasty turn, haircuts are not quite what you had hoped they would be. I get it! I've been there, too. My goal is to make sure you have a great photo experience, and that can't happen if you or your loved ones are not feeling their best physically and emotionally. If you need to reschedule or cancel, just return to your confirmation email from scheduling@acuityscheduling.com and click on the "change/cancel appointment" box at the bottom of the page. You can also cancel your appointment from your appointment confirmation page.
Rescheduling: If you need to reschedule, please try to do so using the link in your confirmation email at least 48 hours before your scheduled shoot and you can do so without penalty. If you have an emergency, weather issue, or sickness within 48 hours of your shoot, you can try to reschedule through the confirmation email from scheduling@acuityscheduling.com and click on the "change/cancel appointment" box at the bottom of the page. You can also reschedule from your appointment confirmation page.
If I must reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or inclement weather, I will also do my best to give you 48 hours' notice. I allow myself two chances to reschedule. If I have to reschedule more than twice due to emergencies, you are entitled to cancel with a full refund.
Canceling: Deposits (generally 50% of the session) are nonrefundable, but rescheduling carries no limits or penalties as long as I am still in business. Deposits ensure that I am not left with open spots I’m unable to fill. If you have paid in full and you must cancel a shoot completely and are not able to reschedule, please do so at least one week before our scheduled appointment to receive a 50% refund of your session.
I reserve the right to cancel and refund your deposit for any reason.