The first day of the fall season is upon us, the weather is beginning to change, fall decor has taken over the aisles of Target and PSL’s are back on menus everywhere!
I get so excited about all things fall just like you do, but I get SUPER excited about this season because that means I get to see all of my favorite people again for family sessions!! One of the biggest items on everyone’s to-do list during this busy season is to get their family photos checked off for their holiday cards and gifts.
Choosing the perfect photographer, scheduling a session around all the kiddos soccer schedules, planning picture perfect outfits for the whole family and pup (while also keeping those outfits clean long enough to actually take the photos! Ha!), creating and sending your holiday cards on time - it’s a lot to think about!
I want to be sure that you have your best family session experience yet and that you all have lots of fun doing it! I’ve created this little guide for you so that you and your family are prepared to arrive at your session, look fabulous and nail it!
CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION
First things first: choose an amazing location that will highlight your family and your tastes, while keeping everyone comfortable! If your toddler absolutely hates the sand between their toes, a beach session might not be for you.
I also recommend considering your home decor! If you’re planning on displaying your images in your home, think about what will coordinate with the colors and vibe of your living room or bedroom. For example, if your decor has more of an organic vibe with neutral or cool toned walls (such as gray), think about a location such as a garden or open park and pair it with a simple neutral or light color palette (such as ivory, peach and light blue) to compliment that specific room and really keep the focus on your beautiful family! If your home has more of an urban or industrial feel to it, maybe consider a more urban location with more contrasting color tones (such as black or navy with ivory and burgundy)!
WHAT TO WEAR
When choosing your outfits, first decide on your style! Some families and couples like to get fancy (there’s no such thing as too dressed up!), while others like to keep it casual. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure that it fits you properly and that you feel yourself!
Once you’ve chosen your style, remember to coordinate outfits to compliment each other; don’t match! I recommend deciding on a few coordinating colors (usually 2 to 4) that pair well with your location choice and style. Consider neutrals or pastels - they compliment anyone at any location and photograph beautifully! I recommend avoiding any neon or bold hues as they take the focus off of you and do not photograph well. There are tons of beautiful color combinations and always room for a little pop of color to add into your accessories or even your lipstick color! Again: just keep your location in mind! If your session is taking place in a wooded park or garden, green might not be the best color choice as you’ll blend too much into the background. Be sure to limit patterns, avoid logos and have fun with mixing textures such as flannel and knits instead! Need some inspiration? Check out my session styling board on Pinterest here!
PREP THE KIDS
Get them each prepared and excited for your session by having them help pick out the colors for the family, or have them help choose their outfits! By having them give you a little fashion show prior to your session, they’ll be excited to show off their outfits for real the day of, AND you’ll be able to make sure everything fits properly and that there are no unknown holes or stains visible! Make sure that little ones are well rested, have happy tummies and don’t be afraid to let their personalities shine. During your holiday mini session, we’ll play a few games to keep the kiddos (and dad!) smiling and laughing for those natural, candid images. If all else fails, don’t be afraid of a little bribery! Bring along some Smarties candies for in between shots, or your little ones favorite toy to help keep them company (or even to help take the photos!)!
ONE FINAL NOTE
I know I just gave you a lot to think about. This guide is meant to help make your session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together! Your session is meant to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. I’ll take care of the rest! With over 300 family sessions (in the last 2 years alone!) under my belt, you can trust me to do what it takes to get the shot!
If you have any other questions about anything or would even like to send outfit options my way, please do not hesitate to ask - I am always more than happy to help! Still need to schedule your session? No problem! I’ve got a few spots left and you can snag yours here! I can’t wait to work with you all!
XO, B
WANT TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY CARDS EVEN EASIER?!
I’m super excited to share with you all that I have teamed up with Minted.com this year to help provide each of you with the best holiday cards possible, while also making it SUPER easy for you! Simply visit my photographer storefront here to get started and send me a request for your images by clicking on the green button that says “request photos” on my homepage. From there, I’ll upload the proper image sizes for you from your session so that all you need to do is login to your account, drag and drop your favorite photos to your favorite design, and BOOM! You’re on your way to Christmas-y bliss! Happy shopping!!