GENERAL TIPS

Eat well and hydrate. Drink plenty of water in the days before your shoot to make sure your skin looks its best. Try to avoid lots of salt, sugar, or alcohol the day before your session. Moisturize your skin – face and hands!

Get a good night’s sleep. Easier said than done, I know. The more sleep you get before your shoot, the more relaxed and rested you’ll feel. It shows!

Choose clothing carefully. Avoid trendy looks that will soon look dated, bold logos and branding, loud prints, and super fine patterns that produce moiré in camera. Solid colors, classic styles, and the occasional pattern are smart choices. Couples/families should coordinate (not match!) outfits. Let me know if you need advice on what to wear, or bring options so we can decide together. There’s a steamer at the studio, but try to iron out wrinkles before you arrive to save time.

Get ready for some close ups. Brush your teeth right before the session – Everyone looks and feels better with some fresh pearly whites! You don’t need to wear tons of makeup to look great in your photos – Less is usually more on camera. Let me know if you’re feeling unsure about hair and makeup in advance, and we can discuss having an artist who specializes in getting you camera-ready. Don’t forget the details – If you bring jewelry or accessories you may want to shine/clean them in advance, and make sure hands and nails are good to go if they’ll be in the shots.

Avoid big changes. I don’t recommend a new haircut or color at the last minute, or a straight razor shave if you don’t usually do it. A new style might not turn out the way you envisioned, or you might have an adverse skin reaction. Stick to your routine, and the results will be authentic and genuine.

Relax and be you! Everyone is weird in their own way, so bring your sense of humor. Don’t be afraid to laugh. Try to forget the camera is there, and let’s focus on telling your story!

STUDIO SESSIONS

LOCATION SHOOTS

Arrival – Call my cell, and I’ll let you know where we should meet.

Weather – We can’t control it, so if it will prevent us from taking great photos we may need to reschedule. A little rain or snow never hurt anyone, though, so let’s not throw in the towel before discussing our options. It can add to the story we’re telling, or maybe we can switch to an indoor location or two. Make sure to factor wind, rain, or snow into your clothing and hair decisions. Check the forecast and be prepared with coats and umbrellas if necessary!

Flexibility – Sometimes locations are unexpectedly unavailable or unsuitable for our shoot. Don’t stress! We can improvise and still take great photos. Just remember, you are the star of your story and the location is just the background.

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PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN

Be patient! With children, we are documenting the moment – whether it be laughter or tears. They don’t (and shouldn’t) have the same expectations we do as adults. For little ones especially, their attention span or mood may dictate how many photos we take or how long we can go. Be prepared to call it a day if they just aren’t cooperating.

Because kids are kids, I may ask for parents to occasionally step outside or out of view. This is to ensure the best, most natural images possible since children have a tendency to react differently when parents are in the room. I encourage snacks for children, but choose wisely be careful to avoid any spills, stains, and dirty cheeks!