tips for timing, choosing a location, outfits, managing kids and more!
Family Session
planning your
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I'm so excited to be working with you and can’t wait for our time together during your session. It’s normal to be a little anxious about your session. You're a busy family with quite a few things on your plate.
That's actually one of the reasons why I put together this guide. It covers things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a location, outfits, prepping kids and more.
Hopefully it helps you feel fully prepared for our time together, but should you have any other questions or if you need advice, please feel free to reach out!
Welcome
The best thing you can do for your kids is to go with the flow and stay positive. The more you relax and have fun with things, the more likely your little one (or big one) is to get on board.
It can also be helpful to pack a few treats and bribes for younger children. Favorite toys, special snacks (think: m&m's, sweet tarts, or skittles) and the promise of ice cream afterwards work wonders.
We’re incredibly patient with kids, and we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help even the smallest ones cooperate.
One thing I've learned over the years is that our experience of our children is different from what others experience. For example, if you’re at the grocery store with your three year old son and he starts yelling, you probably think he’s irritating other customers more than he is. Most likely, those other customers just see a cute (slightly loud) three year old.
The same holds true for photo sessions. Your child is in a new element, and a stranger is holding a big camera in front of their face. They’re likely not going to entirely be themselves. They may show off more than usual or your extrovert may suddenly become shy.
Rest assured, it’s all okay.
a note on managing
little ones
You’ve likely realized this by now, but babies can be a bit messy. It’s always a good idea for all members of the family to plan an extra outfit just in case.
BACKUP OUTFITS
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This is a season when you might not quite feel like yourself. A fresh outfit you feel good in goes a long way. We’ve found longer, a-line dresses that are nursing friendly are often the most flattering. Brands like Petal and Pup and Morning Lavender tend to have quite a few of these at affordable prices. Session days are also a good day to take others up on that offer to help. You are one hard working mama and if you have time to nap, shower and get ready in peace, you’re going to love these images a lot more.
Dear Mama,
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While your entire house doesn’t need to look like it’s ready for Pinterest, I do recommend cleaning up the nursery and any places you think we might shoot. This might include your bed, the couch or a spot in your home with beautiful natural light. But truly, that's all you need to prep. We know you're in the throes of newborn life and we won't judge the pile or dishes in the sink or baby paraphernalia that has suddenly taken over the house.
preparing your Home
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Feed and change your little one’s diaper right before we arrive. This helps ensure that they are ready to go as soon as we arrive. However due to the tiny size of their tummies, it’s also likely that they’ll need another feed (and maybe a diaper change) during the shoot.
Please don’t worry about pausing the session to feed your little one. This is normal! We plan extra time for newborn sessions
Preparing your Baby
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newborns
A note about
If we’ll be photographing the newest members of your family, the following tips below will help ensure everyone is happy throughout the session.
I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time of year to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based schedules or on a particular “look” you have in mind, spring flowers, for fall colors, for example.
Sessions typically last about 45 min- one hour (but we sometimes can finish even sooner!) When when we can—I love to begin sessions about an hour and a half before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first two hours after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot.
We schedule sessions during what is typically the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting, and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
"GOOD" TIME TO TAKE PHOTOS?
Time & Light: is there a
In the warmer months, sunset sessions often fall during the witching hour. They may even fall during or after bedtime.
As much as we love a consistent bedtime routine, in order to capture the best light during "golden hour", we're like going to need to throw off your schedule a bit.
If our session takes place close to dinnertime, we recommend feeding kids (and yourselves!) before we begin shooting. If your little one is going to be going to bed later, consider pushing their nap a bit that day, letting them sleep longer or packing pj's so that you can quickly tuck them into bed as soon as you get home.
Sunset & Bedtimes
If your session takes place in the fall, while it might be tempting to dress your little one in a pumpkin costume to eternally remember the cuteness that babies in costumes in giant piles of leaves holds, we advise keeping attire a little more neutral.
Yes, that image would crush it on the ‘gram, but since you’re hoping to print these images for your walls, will you always want to see that pumpkin costume? The same holds true for images taken for Christmas cards. While those red and green sweaters might be worthy of the Minted hall of fame, are you really going to want to look at photos of yourselves in holiday sweaters in the summer?
If you’re looking for outfit advice, feel free to send ideas my way! I'm happy to help curate a wardrobe that not only feels coordinated, but that looks beautiful for years to come.
Seasonality
things to keep in mind:
If your session takes place during the winter, we could begin shooting as early as 3:00 pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running. Pocket warmers and thick socks hidden in cute boots can help keep everyone warm without showing up in images.
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
Winter
Even though Spring begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting for another 4 - 6 weeks because the weather in our area is still pretty chilly. When we schedule spring dates, we typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date because #aprilshowers
fresh flowers and sunny days
Spring
In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
"IF IT COULD ONLY BE LIKE THIS ALWAYS"
Summer
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the East Coast and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall session, we recommend scheduling early!
"AND AUTUMN A MOSAIC OF THEM ALL."
Fall
The above locations are all beautiful but I also love exploring meaningful locations with our families!
Wake Forest College Birthplace
Joyner Park
SEBTS
NC Capitol Building
Wake Forest
Bass Lake
Hiking
Lake Hickory
Apple Picking
Christmas Tree Farm
Adventure
The Broyhill Chateau
Historic Post Office Building
Catawba County Museum of History
Fleurish Greenhouse
Corinth Reformed Church
First Presbyterian Church
Ellendale Farm
A historic mansion
Elegant
Family Home/Property
Glenn Hilton Park
Jacob Fork Park
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory City Walk
Downtown Hickory
Classic
The best session locations are often meaningful to individual families; however, I'm also happy to make recommendations. From college campuses to apple picking, the options for session locations are endless!
ideas for inspiration
Locations
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When picking outfits I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if Dad is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, Mom may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
A good rule of thumb: pick 3 or so colors and spread them throughout the family. Don't be afraid to mix a few subtle patterns or textures (such as linen).
And always keep the location in mind. If we're shooting in a green field, light green dresses might blend in too much with the surroundings.
Choosing Outfits
for everyone
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Heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking or we'll be in grass, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.
Larger patterns and textures (like linen) photograph beautifully - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
Wardrobe Tips
for the ladies
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Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress. Lace and tulle look amazing in photographs.
And dresses with sleeves are a great way to help slim arms. Depending on your location, you might want to consider a fit and flare or a flowy dress.
They look great in walking and photos with movement. Choose an outfit you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!
Accessories
for the ladies
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Able
Zara
Mango
Sezane
Hill House Home
Reformation
Rachel Pally
Nuuly
Christy Dawn
Rylee & Cru
Clad & Cloth
Ivy City
Shopbop
Everlane
Rent the Runway
ASOS
Neesee's Dresses
Morning Lavender
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Free People
Jessakae
Petal & Pup
H&M
Virginia Dare Dress Co.
Baltic Born Clothing
Madewell
Kate + Grace Boutique
Favorite Shops
for the ladies
I think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your photos. Investing in professional hair and makeup can go a long way towards creating photos you love for years.
Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better in humidity and wind.
If you go this route, I recommend staying a bit “classic”. Now probably isn’t the best time to try out that new contouring technique you saw on TikTok.
If you’re planning to do any spray tans or waxing, schedule those for a few days before the session to give your skin time to recover.
Hair & Makeup
for the ladies
on to the next
You can’t go wrong with crisp button up. Or consider layering a blazer or sweater with jeans with this look. Bowties are always a good idea.
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months.
Wardrobe
for the gents
on to the next
Wardrobe
for the gents
on to the next
Rent the Runway
ASOS
Suit Supply
J. Crew
Zara
Leather & Cotton
Jack Threads
Frank & Oak
Nordstrom
Cuts
H&M
Urban Outfitters
Madewell
Lululemon
Everlane
Banana Republic
Mango
Reiss
Alex Mill
Untuckit
Amazon - GoodThreads
Bonobos
Abercrombie
Rag & Bone
It’s typical for us to schedule two session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough, and I've found that the best way to make sure families get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
We’ll check in the week of your session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. At the same time, sometimes NC storms can pass quickly, so we can try to "wait it out" too. Just let me know what works best for your family.
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make everyone laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
A note on Posing
"What do I do with my hands?"
When it comes to choosing a location for larger groupings, there are a few extra elements to keep in mind. Locations should be easy to access, limit walking and be safe for young children.
While we can get away with photographing small families in a downtown setting, for larger families, we’ll need a bit of space to spread out. Family homes with larger yards (and open shade), parks and outdoor settings typically work best for extended families.
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When it comes to choosing outfits for larger families, I recommend coordinating with one another ahead of time. Photographs typically come out best when families choose a color palette instead of everyone wearing the exact same thing.
Outfits that feel a bit special (your “Sunday best”) but that you still feel comfortable in generally result in the best images.
If you need any advice in this area, just let me know!
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You'll receive a Questionnaire that asks you to list names and ages of family members, as well as the combinations you would like to prioritize. While we always do our best to capture all the combinations you have in mind, we will plan the session to get the essential ones first and come back to the others if there is time.
Please send all family groupings ahead of time
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Tips for larger Groups
Extended FamilY LEGACY Sessions
If you have booked an Extended Family Legacy Session (more than one household, grandparents, etc.), we have a few tips to help make photographing this larger group a bit easier on everyone.
Following the session, I'll deliver a gallery with the edited images. Please let me know ahead of time who should have access to this gallery. If you send me a list of the email addresses, we can set those up at the time of delivery to give all necessary parties access.
Please note that this list is just a starting point and that I'm happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
- Entire Family
- Grandparents + Grandkids
- Grandkids Together
- Grandparents + Child A’s Family
- Child A’s Family
- Child A + Spouse
- Child A’s Kids
- Grandparents + Child B’s Family
- Child B's Family
- Child B + Spouse
- Child B’s Kids
- Child A + Child B
- Grandparents + Child A + Child B
EXAMPLE EXTENDED FAMILY SHOT LIST
I'm a big believer that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: fifteen years ago, if I had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.
But prints & albums? Those last. I bet your family still has images from your grandparents (maybe even great grandparents.) And that was likely from a time period when cameras were expensive and prints were harder to come by.
prints & other Keepsakes
Bringing your images to life
Mounted Prints
Custom Wall art
heirloom albums
all keepsakes include the matching high-resolution digital image
After your photo session, you'll receive a link to schedule your reveal session (these can happen in person or virtually). At your reveal session, I'll walk you through selecting your favorite images, and we'll finalize your custom keepsakes! Reveal sessions are part of my signature experience for ensuring your images are preserved so you can enjoy them to the fullest.
Reveal SessionS
your tailored expierence
I know that this guide is long, and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your portrait session. However if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email me at
Katelynshelley.co@gmail.com
Thank you!
