1.) Plan your outfits at least a week in advance-don't wait 'til the last day, trust me! You want to wake up feeling relaxed and prepared, so plan these details out early. Feel free to text me photos of your wardrobe if you're having a hard time choosing!
I'm happy to help.
3.) Prepare your kids (and husband!) with laid-back, low-key references to let them know what's happening. Tell them you will be "hanging out with our friend Afton on Sunday!" or "going to the park to play!" and keep things fun, lighthearted, and positive.
Families have shared that this tip is especially helpful if they have a particularly shy child.
3.) And of course, make sure everyone gets a great night's sleep and eats a good meal beforehand. Nothing ends a session quicker than hangry kids!

1.) First off, dress for the weather! We want everyone comfortable!
2.) I do not suggest wearing matching clothes- no more jeans and matching shirts these days! Instead, wear colors in a complimentary color palette, such as earth tones and neutrals.
3.) Try to avoid wearing tennis shoes, T shirts, or shirts with writing on them!
4.) Be careful about undergarments. While I am very experienced at Photoshop, editing out bra straps or panty lines is difficult and time-consuming. Choose clothes that properly covers your undergarments, in all types of movement scenarios.
5.) I recommend women wear medium or long dresses instead of pants because they capture movement and generally photograph more flatteringly. Short dresses will be a challenge when we do any seated photos, so keep that in mind.
6.) Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in. If your dress gets suddenly too short when you bend over, or your pants are too tight to sit down in, opt for more breathable pieces. Be prepared to move!
7.) Don't forget accessories! Jewelry, suspenders, hats, flower headbands, chunky scarves, beautiful flowing dresses and skirts-these create visual interest and movement in your photos, and really help the images stand apart.
8.) If you have a little girl with bright or chipped nailpolish on, go ahead and remove it. Neon pink and vibrant turquoise nails will almost undoubtedly clash with your beautiful wardrobe choice, and yes, it will show up in the photos.
9.) Remind gentlemen to take bulky items like phones and car keys out of their pockets before we start snapping photos.

1.) No need to 'Cheese'! I'm chasing natural interactions and unposed moments. I strive to capture and encourage authentic expressions. No need to coax your children into fake smiles!
2.) On a related note, children around the ages of 5-10 will sometimes try to "cheese" in the photos, because that's what they've been conditioned to do when they see a camera! Help me create more candid shots by interacting playfully with your children.
3.) Laugh, play, tickle, and snuggle. This is how we'll capture the REAL moments.
4.) Not everyone has to be looking at the camera. Actually, I usually encourage my gentlemen to NOT look at the camera. (they seem to prefer that, as well!) I like to especially encourage my dads to focus on their partners and their kids.
5.) When in doubt, just smile and look at your family lovingly.
6.) Stand close together. Actually, as close as possible :)
7.) Relax, slow down, and don't force anything. Don't feel pressured to make everything perfect! Just be present with your family and I'll do the rest. And don't stress if any of the kids get fussy! As a mother and thoroughly experienced photographer, I've seen it all before, trust me. Just snuggle your kiddos and we can still capture beautiful images :)
8.) Expect me to move you around to different spots to capture images. The more variety we get, the bigger your gallery and the more great shots we have the opportunity to create together!
9.) At the completion of your session, final payment is due.

After your session, your work is almost done! You can let your hair down, put your feet up, and relax a little bit.
1.) After your session, I will be working hard behind the scenes to cull the best photos (eliminating duplicates, blurs, and blinks) Your gallery is typically ready between 2-4 weeks of your session.
2.) After I am finished editing, I will upload your final images into an online gallery. I will send you the link via email. Once I know that you have seen your photos, I will showcase your photo session on Facebook and other social media sites. I love seeing the excitement from family and friends as they get to see your pictures!
3.) Look online (Pinterest is great!) for ideas about wall gallery displays. There are tons of beautiful ideas for every style and budget. In your online gallery, I will include places where you can conveniently order high quality prints, framed photos, and canvases.
Last step to complete your portrait experience: ENJOY YOUR PHOTOS! I am passionate about printed art because then you can see it and appreciate it in your home every single day. I can't wait to help you create something beautiful, timeless, and meaningful, just for your unique family.
And that's it! The complete checklist for guiding you through your family photography session. Thank you for choosing me to be your trusted photographer. I can't wait to love on your family and leave you with beautiful artwork you will love for decades to come.

SESSION DAY
You should expect to arrive 10-20 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for a feeding. The studio is kept at 80 degree in order to keep your baby warm and comfortable.
Newborns can lose their body temperature quickly, especially when unclothed, so we need to be sure they are kept warm at all times. You may want to dress in layers so that you are comfortable too. Feel free to sit back & relax!
IMPORTANT TIPS
Make sure your baby is well fed and sleepy. Babies are much easier to pose when they are sound asleep! Be patient! Babies can sense your anxiety and we want to keep the room as calm as possible. The majority of pictures will work best if the baby is asleep so anything you can do to promote this is best. I suggest giving baby a bath and try to keep them awake as much as possible the morning of the session.
WHAT TO BRING
Pacifiers are highly recommended for your newborn session. These have been found to be the most effective in soothing during the newborn session. Even if you aren't thinking of using a paci, I encourage you to bring one to your session. The short amount of time that we will be using one should not affect any habit-forming behaviors for your baby. My goal is to help keep baby happy and calm during our session.
Extra Bottles- Whether you are nursing or bottle feeding, having extra bottles and or milk is suggested. Some babies tend to eat more than usual during their photo session.
Feel free to bring along any sentimental items that you'd like included in your baby's photos.
Please let me know ahead of time any items you'd like to incorporate so I can prepare.

Match Your Personality! It is important that you wear clothing that is comfortable and your outfit selections should match your personality and your own personal style. A great way to start is to pick a super casual, business casual and dressy outfit.
Dress for the season and weather! Try to stick to colors that work with the season. If it is fall/winter time stick to warm clothes and layers so you will be comfortable in for your session and the same goes if it is summer time.
Make sure your outfit looks just as good whether you're sitting, standing, or kneeling. If your shorts have a weird diaper look when you sit in them, don't wear them. If your dress only fits if you're standing up, it's probably not the right outfit. In your senior portraits you want a variety of poses so don't wear clothes that restrict your posing options.
Bring the right undergarments! Bring the right color and type of bra for each outfit. Bring different undershirts if your clothes require it. Spanx and shapewear are your friends! Just make sure your clothes are long enough to cover the shapewear underneath if you are walking or running in photos. Also, make sure your underwear (and boxer shorts) don't show through any of your clothing!
BRING OPTIONS! Most people wear 2-4 outfits per shoot. But I always tell clients to bring extra outfits just in case something doesn't work out! It's a good idea to bring a few back-up outfits, as well as extra accessories (jackets, scarves, hats, layers, jewelry, etc). We will look through everything when you arrive and pick out what works best!
HAVE FUN WITH IT! Your clothing is such a unique expression of your personality! Be playful and have fun with your outfits! And if you have any questions or need help deciding on things, reach out to me! I'm always happy to give you feedback if you need it.