Photos have the power to stop time. With each photo comes memories. They are proof of your love and the adventure your family goes through.
WHY CHOOSE ME?
I’m passionate about creating art that helps you remember what that time of life is like for you. I don’t shy away from capturing authentic emotion. Your session is a celebration of simple things like love and togetherness. These photos will become part of your family’s legacy.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR YOUR SESSION?
The best time for lighting is the first and last hours after sunrise and before sunset. If this is a bad time for your children, let’s arrange an alternative time. While I strongly recommend a sunrise/set session, the best time for your children will be when they are rested and well fed.
WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY ‘DO’ DURING YOUR SESSION?
I aim for natural and candid images. The best photos are often the ones where you are engaging with each other. During your session, I’m here to direct you on how to have fun together.
Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play.
Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. This is where I will get the best images.
Step back, and allow me interact with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. Let them run, let them do what they want to do. If I need assistance, I’ll certainly provide direction on what to do. The crazy moments are the best. This will produce the most amazing photos.
WHAT TO WEAR?
When choosing what to wear, keep in mind what your dream photos look like.
Are they are soft and elegant? Choose neutral colours with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, cream, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues.
Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colours (but not matchy, matchy) with bold accent colours, such as hues of grey with yellow or bright red accents.
Adding fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a twist and flair to your images.
I also recommend that clothing choices do not feature licensed items (ie Disney, peppa pig ect) visible logos or writing, as this will distract from the subject’s faces. Avoid writing on clothing too, as there is nothing I can do to edit out such choices after the fact.
- The best colours for the environment we will be in are jewel tones for autumn and winter- so navy, mustards, greens, purples etc. Lighter tones for spring and summer – pinks, blush, creams. Solid, neutral colours are best for in the studio
- Avoid clothes that have writing, prints or logos on them. Your eyes will be drawn to your clothes instead of your beautiful faces.
- Avoid too many people wearing patterns. As a general rule, no more than one in three people should wear a patterned item.
- Avoid being matchy – matchy, instead use a complementing colour palette with a range of colours to coordinate.
- Add layers and texture, jewellery and items of interest.
- If you have long hair, wear it down but clipped away from your face, or pulled back loosely.
- Wear your make-up slightly heavier than you usually would.
To ensure that the children are happy and at ease during photos, let them pick their own clothing. They’ll pick something that shows off what their preferences and interests are.
If you are worried about what they’ll choose, try selecting three or four main outfits that you would be happy with your child wearing for a photo. Let them choose from the outfits you’ve selected; they’ll still feel like they got to make the decision.
Footwear is a really important consideration. Photography sessions and high heels don’t mix well. I want you to feel very comfortable. Sessions are full of movement, often on uneven ground and grass. I want you to feel free to move, to run, to chase after your family and give them tickles. Choose footwear that you’re comfortable moving freely and running around in!
Watches these days are amazing. They’re smart, and they keep track of your life. The trend these days is large watches, with large faces. These can become very distracting in a timeless portrait. Please leave these at home, as they can’t be edited out after the fact.
Please leave your phones in the car. Phone Photography is not permitted during your session, as it can be very distracting for everyone involved, particularly if I’m trying to photograph your family, and they’re distracted by the person using the phone to photograph at the same time.
This is your time to be present with your family. It’s your time to take a step back from the whole world and to be present with your family.
Guys, this one is for you in particular. Phones in pockets, particularly in front pockets, can look like other things!!! Unfortunately, isn’t easy to edit these choices out after the fact.
HOW CAN YOU GET THE BEST FROM YOUR SESSION?
Leave plenty of time on the day to prepare for your session. Have your clothing chosen WAY in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. Feel free to send me a picture of what you have chosen for me to make suggestions.
I recommend bringing snacks or drinks, and be sure any little ones have a nap before you come instead of expecting they’ll sleep in the car. It can take longer to warm kids up if they have to be woken. If you have small children, try to avoid too many things happening in the day as this will tire them out.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Please make sure to arrive ready to be photographed! It can disrupt the flow of my engagement with the kids and eat into your session time if you’re not ready to go. I will engage with your children; I get down to their level and let them know that we’re going to have fun together. During your session, don’t worry about looking at the camera. I will always instruct you when you need to look at me. Expect me to be silly, and I will direct or guide most of what you do. Expect that I will get you to play with your children, cuddle and kiss each other.
I will go through my usual workflow to ensure that you have variety and options when choosing to invest in your images. Don’t worry about having to plan the session; that is up to me! But if you feel like I have not gotten enough of a particular shot that you want, let me know!
I totally expect your kids will muck up and be crazy and not sit still and maybe not listen to me as quickly as you would like them to. So WHEN this happens, the important thing for you is to stay calm and let it take its course. I’m very good at what I do, so trust me and the process.
Kids feed off their parent’s energy, so if you are stressed and get upset or angry quickly, so will they. So RELAX and have a good time. If we keep things light and playful, I promise I will get some amazing photos of you and your kids.
To get the best from your session, focus on what you can control. A thoughtful selection of me as your photographer, your wardrobe, and a session date and time that works with your family’s schedule will definitely lead to beautiful images. Once the session starts, there isn’t much more you can do to ensure success, other than having fun and showing affection with your kids.
SOME FINAL ADVICE
The camera captures 1/1000th or less of a second at a time – in between the wiggles and the silliness and even the “I don’t want to’s!” and the running away, there are always sweet moments. Trust me to capture these moments and your images will be perfect.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
If we are on location, the session will be dependent on whether or not it’s raining. Rest assured that on the day of your session I’m monitoring the weather very closely! I will be in contact on the day (the night before if a morning session) if the weather is threatening rain. Wind is great, it introduces a wonderful movement to your images. If we do reschedule, we will go for the next most suitable day weather and schedule-wise if you want an outdoor session, or come into the studio if it’s available.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M UNWELL?
I take your family’s health and safety very seriously, and your session will not take place if I’m unwell. If this is the case, I will let you know at the soonest opportunity and will reschedule your session for when I am better. Your family’s safety is my first priority. Particularly important is that my whooping cough, COVID and flu vaccinations are up to date.
WHEN WILL I GET TO PURCHASE THE IMAGES FROM MY SESSION?
I’ll schedule your ordering session at the end of your session. It is usually within 1-4 weeks of your session that I’ll be able to get you in the diary, depending on your availability aligning with mine.
Please note that ordering sessions are held during the week, as weekends are held for photography sessions.
Your ordering session is where you will view amazing images I’ve captured for you for the first time. These will have been narrowed down to show you the best of the best from your session.
I will help you shortlist your favourite images, discuss your requirements and use visualisation software to show you how your images will look best on your walls.
You’ll choose a variety of heirloom quality products including albums, folio boxes and wall pieces. I’ll expertly guide you through the best products for your lifestyle. Your ordering session is where you will choose your printed products and digital images; and make payment for your purchases.
This is not a hard process! Time and time again, clients have told me how easy I’ve made this process for them. The only hard part will be choosing your favourite images.
I realise that it can be difficult visualising the size of your products in relation to where you’d like to display them in your home. I use software that makes this a breeze, simply take a photo of an A4 size piece of paper against the wall you’d like to use, and send a photo to me. The software will do the rest for us!