WHAT TO WEAR

It's not every day that you have a photoshoot and some things might not be as noticeable to you, as they are to my camera. Here's a few tips to get you the best photos, ever!

1. The most important tip of all: just relax. Relax, wait for my direction, and embrace the laughter, romanticism or silliness is all I ask. I got the rest!

2. If still in the napping stage, try to book your session right after children’s scheduled nap time. We want everyone happy and smiling! Message me if you’re concerned about this and need to make an adjustment.

3. Please try everything possible to leave your little ones toys/stuffed animals/snacks in the car or even at home. The success rate for getting these items out of their hand or off their attention when we are in the shoot are low. If we need to resort to these somehow I would rather add them in than try to take them out

4. Dress in what makes you comfortable. I want YOU to shine through in these photos. If you’re uncomfortable, it will take away from us being able to capture your true beauty!

Things to keep in mind leading up and the day of your session:

1. Be cautious to alter your hair less than 2 weeks from your session

2. A fresh coat of nail polish and a fresh ring cleaning is ideal. Avoid loud colors and designs on your nails, if possible

3. Be mindful of your time in the sun days before a session to avoid dramatic tan lines or burns

4. Don't forget to iron! If you’re wearing something that wrinkles easily, don’t wear it in the car on the way to the shoot – just change at the location

5. Please cut off hanger strings off blouses/dresses, etc. They come out during sessions all the time!

6. Make sure to leave plenty of time for getting ready! Lateness will cut into your session time

7. Remove hair ties, unwanted bracelets, and smart watches

8. Make sure all facial hair is trimmed. That includes eyebrows!

9. Don't have anything in your pockets, including phones

10. Chapstick or a thin layer of lip gloss looks great on camera!

11. Make sure bra straps and underwear lines are to a minimum. If wearing a tight dress, sometimes going commando is necessary! I will not photoshop undergarments due to poor choice - ie. color or fit

12. Hairspray down those flyaways! If you know you have pesky flyaways (like I do) - bring hairspray and a comb to tame them mid shoot

13. Clean up kids nails and eye boogies, please! Bring a drool rag for little ones!

14. Avoid having kids eat anything colorful right before the session and definitely avoid eating or drinking in the outfit you've picked out for them

15. Please wear and bring bug spray on hot summer days!

How to get the MOST out of your session:

** please share these with everyone that will be behind the camera **

1. Enjoy yourself, even if it’s a little exaggerated. Don’t feel weird or embarrassed to do so, it’s all to get great shots! I promise I won’t send anything unflattering, in my eyes, so truly embrace every moment and let me do the rest!

2. Don’t stop doing a prompt until I say so. Most things I add comments to, to get more out of each pose.

3. Stay as CLOSE to each other as possible. I don’t want to see any gaps, unless I explicitly ask for it. Personal space should officially be invaded!

4. Going rogue on something that makes you more comfortable is totally welcomed. If your arm needs to be in a slightly different position to feel more natural, please do so!

5. I like to grab candids so if I’m silent between prompts that’s probably what I’m doing. This isn’t meant to be a marathon, let’s enjoy the moment to get some extra shots!

6. I see everything and highly attentive to detail, if I didn’t mention something it’s probably to facilitate a natural movement. Let things just roll as they are, avoid asking where to look or where your hand should be, please!

7. You’ll get 10x more photos if you try your absolute best to be attentive to facial expressions while doing my prompts. I will perfect those cheese at the camera poses before I snap but candids are different. I will be in angles and pose what I feel will flatter you but I need a little help to take your gallery to the next level. Laugh with your chin slightly up to avoid double chins, try not to do shocked or scary faces when I give a wild prompt, and simply feel yourself!

1. Texture, texture and did I say TEXTURE?! Ruffles, silk, buttons, knitwear, lace, the list goes on and on. Texture is VERY photogenic.

2. Patterns are actually great… when used sparingly. If you wish to implement a pattern like plaid, polka dots or stripes, try to do so only once.

3. Colors. I’d like to think learning how to coordinate colors is like learning a new language. Sometimes this is right, but not that way, this color works only in summer, that color won’t work with this color, and so on. My best advice is: all neutrals and muted colors are hard to mess up (plus they’re my favorite), pops of color are wonderful, but try not to exceed more than 2 or 3. When coordinating with more than 6 people, stick to solids - you can get away with a wider range of colors if you stay within a scheme (ie. neutrals, rich/deep tones, muted, or monochrome).

4. Colors + Location. This is a huge part of getting the best outcome. If we will be somewhere tan heavy, you pretty much have free range to wear anything - I find earthy or neutrals to be the best though. If we will be somewhere green heavy, I would work in the neutral category to complete your looks as other colors will likely clash with the green. If we will be somewhere warm I would compliment the background with a warm palette. Colors that my editing style really doesn’t suite are true reds, neons and blues (unless they are against a neutral environment).

   In review: neutrals/warm/earthy/muted = YES

   true reds/brights/rich blues = NO

5. And with that, Coordinate don’t match.

6. Uniqueness is the wow factor. Unique dresses, children’s clothes, shoes, hats and jewelry can really take an image to the next level. My favorite shops (below) emulate this really well and that’s why I love them.

7. Pick a statement piece and start working from there.

8. Clean and crisp. Now, I’m not saying go out and buy every item BRAND NEW, but it is important to iron (change at the location if something is prone to wrinkling), and leave your favorite white tee with the hole in it at home.

9. Continuing with clean and crisp - I find shoes to be the biggest eyesore. Unless it’s intentional, put down the old chucks and scuffed booties! Please, NO branded shoes.

10. Words, logos & characters. These are almost always something to stray from. With that, please stray away from dri-fit polos for men.

11. Highlight your best asset. Great arms? Rock that sleeveless dress!

12. When it comes to make-up, apply what you would for a nice dinner! If you want to wear fake eyelashes - lean on the natural side and make sure to bring your glue.

    Hopefully this helps! There are many exceptions to this list, it’s simply a guide to get you in the right direction. Send me pics, links, pins and ideas, anytime.

These are some of the best shops on the planet. Seriously, I’m confident that you can scroll your mouse like one of those arcade golf games, buy whatever it lands on, and be just fine!

Vici Collection - WOMEN [$$]

ZARA - ALL [$$]

Reverie Threads - BABY [$$}

Free People - WOMEN [$$$]

ROOLEE - WOMEN & KIDS [$$]

Reformation - WOMEN [$$$]

Target - ALL [$]

Revolve - WOMEN [$$-$$$]

Selfie Leslie - WOMEN [$$]

Nordstrom - ALL [$$-$$$]

ASOS - MEN & WOMEN [$$]

H&M - ALL [$-$$]

Von Maur - ALL [$$-$$$]

Old Navy - ALL [$]

Topshop and Topman - MEN & WOMEN [$$]

Noralee - WOMEN & KIDS [$$$]

* Some of these sites are UK based, make sure to order with ample time.

Lastly…

1. After the session please make sure to check for ticks if we were in a park or wooded area!

2. Session delivery will fall within 30 days - make sure to watch my story, sometimes I like to share who I’m working on and delivering soon!

3. Make sure to download your gallery within 30 days from delivery!

4. I would feel honored to be tagged in any of your posts!

5. Enjoy your pics and print them however you please, that’s what the print release is for!