Family Prep Guide

How to prepare you and your family for your upcoming session

Feed yourself and your family a nourishing meal or a delightful snack before you head into the studio for your upcoming photography session. Well-fed babies as well as adults and children tend to be much happier, which will help ensure that your little ones are content and relaxed. This preparation can contribute to a much smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone involved in the session!

Schedule your session preferably right after nap time and when baby’s/children are at their happiest time of day. (If you want an outdoor session, this may not be possible due to sunset times).

3.Arriving on time and free of stress is crucial for a smooth experience. To achieve this, it is advisable to pre-plan your route to my home studio, ensuring that you can navigate efficiently and reach your destination safely and punctually.

3. Please wait until you arrive at the session location to dress your kids in their chosen outfit (optional) adults as well. By doing this, you can ensure that there will be no wardrobe accidents or mishaps that could occur before the session begins. Additionally, this approach will help in avoiding any unwanted wrinkles that may appear, allowing your family to look their best for the photos.

02 WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?

Men & Boys 

I recommend wearing a button-down shirt paired with either pants or jeans, depending on the type of session. For a more relaxed session, you may opt for a casual approach, whereas for a fine art session, a more polished outfit is preferred. Our aim is to ensure that your photos remain timeless and memorable. Boys should similarly wear a button-down shirt along with appropriate pants, while avoiding any logos or bold patterns that could create distractions in the final images. This attention to detail will help create beautifully cohesive photographs.

Getting your nails trimmed and receiving a nice haircut beforehand are essential preparations for a photo session. Additionally, men may consider trimming or shaving their beard to ensure they look their best in front of the camera. These grooming choices can greatly enhance the overall appearance and boost confidence during the shoot.

Colors I Recommend are the following,

Black and White

Black on Black

White and Khaki / Beige / Linen

White and Navy blue.

Women and Girls

For Women, I have an extensive client closet filled with beautiful gowns that are available at no extra charge. If you choose to bring your own outfit, I recommend selecting a dress that is not too loose-fitting, one that you will feel comfortable in initially and that will also allow you to move around freely during the session. Making sure that you feel good in what you wear can enhance your overall experience.

Hair and Makeup

I always recommend investing in professional hair and makeup services to complement and enhance the experience of a professional photography session. This addition can truly elevate the overall look and confidence for the photoshoot, resulting in beautifully polished images that capture special moments.

If you don't wear makeup, that's completely fine too. Many individuals choose to embrace their natural beauty, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Colors I recommend

Black

White

Cream

Linen

Dark green

Burgendy

Overall, it’s important that your family’s outfits harmonize, creating a cohesive and visually appealing appearance. Children should coordinate their outfits with the looks of both mom and dad in order to achieve a polished and well-put-together effect. This coordination not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also creates memorable moments during family photoshoots.

02 What to expect during the shoot

Babies, toddlers and kids by nature, tend to have a short attention span, and through our experience, we have found that they typically become uninterested in the session after around 30 minutes. Every baby and child is unique and different, however, we have consistently found that a 35 to 45 minute session duration is the perfect amount of time for a successful Family session. It is important to keep in mind that we will have plenty of time available if we need to extend the session duration for any reason.

03 Posing

Every photographer has their unique style that sets them apart from others in the field. I encourage you, along with your family, to bring your own individual personality and preferences to the table as well. Therefore, it is absolutely essential for you to communicate with me about what you’re comfortable with before your session begins. This way, we can more effectively plan out which shots and poses will resonate with you and ultimately create the most memorable and meaningful images that reflect who you are. Your input is valuable and will help ensure a better experience for everyone involved.

Creating a mood board will help me see your vision, please email to workwithericm@gmail.com

I sincerely hope that these helpful tips have been effective in getting you well prepared for your upcoming Family session! Your Family’s mood, the choice of clothing, and your personal expectations will all play a crucial role in setting the overall tone for your photography session. Thank you so much I can wait to meet you all,

• Eric