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Use this as your prep guide to get ready for your shoot! Click each toggle below to reveal all the tips.
Before we start your photography time, we’ll talk about goals for your session, colors you love, background choices, outfits, accessories…. This typically takes 15-30 minutes, and does not take away from your photography time. Feel free to bring an entire suitcase full of clothes if you can’t decide what to wear – I will help guide you on what will look best in pictures!
If we are planning on outdoor photos for your session, I will check the weather a day ahead. If there are any concerns, I will contact you to let you know and to discuss whether you would like to reschedule. In case of inclement weather, there is no charge to reschedule.
When you arrive, I will guide you to the dressing room where you can bring any clothing, props or other items that you brought to incorporate into your shoot. Please make yourself at home while you are at the studio!
- Dressing room equipped with full-length & makeup mirrors
- Cold water and hot drinks for whenever you need to refresh
- Indoors we have a selection of neutral studio backdrops
- Outdoors we have a woodland pathway, hilltop fields, a split rail fence and other features that are seasonally available including a wildflower hill, a grassy field, a sunflower patch and more…
- A few outfit options: a mix of casual and formal.
- For photos with more than one person, you want to coordinate without matching. Tip: Your clothing colors and textures should coordinate so well that they could be a single layered outfit. Lay them all out together and see what they look like as a set.
- I suggest you stick with neutral colors and avoid logos or loud patterns.
- It is also a good idea to bring one outfit that is light in color, as well as one that is darker to make sure we have a variety of options.
- Not sure what colors to wear? I recommend that you base it off your living space where you might want to hang them. Find a scarf or clothing item with a few colors in it that looks great with the colors in your living space. Then, take that scarf or item with you to hold it up against clothing while you gather/shop for outfits.
- I am happy to help! Some people know exactly what they want to wear and come ready to go. Others come with a suitcase full of options and ask for an opinion. If you are having a hard time deciding, or want advice on what would look best for pictures, just bring options and use your style consultation time to make final decisions.
- Note: the number of outfits we will have time to incorporate in your shoot depends on the number of people and groupings we are doing. For high school seniors without anyone else in the shoot, we can typically do a few outfits per session. For families who are getting individuals of each child, the whole family, a siblings photo, etc…, we typically only have time for one outfit.
Want some visual outfit ideas? Check out the LSP Portrait Session Outfit Ideas board on Pinterest
- Coordinating shoes and jewelry.Remember shoes for your outfits. For ladies, heels or heeled boots give your legs a great look in photos! Bring accessories: hats, sunglasses, scarves, headbands… While we won’t use them all, it’s good to have a variety to choose from.
- Consider props that tell something about your story. Love to travel? How about incorporating vintage suitcases? Do you love to read? Bring a stack of books. Are you huge sports fans? Bring something that shows off your favorite team.
- For your hair, bring a brush and anything you need to change up your style if you want to vary your look.
- Getting pro hair & makeup with our makeup artist? You will need to arrive an hour ahead of your start time. Come with clean, dry hair and no makeup on your face.
A little planning goes a long way. Maximize your portrait session by taking the time to think about what your goals are when it comes to displaying your photos. It is one thing to get them taken, but what are you going to do with your beautiful portraits?
Thinking of hanging photos in your home? Coordinate your clothing and background choices with the room(s) where you might hang them. And don’t forget to SUBMIT YOUR WALLS ahead of your session so you can see free wall portrait previews with YOUR photos on YOUR walls after your session.
Thinking of displaying them in a book? Consider bringing accessories or props that help tell the story of this chapter in your life. Also, be sure to let us know you are considering a book before we start photographing. We will shoot details and compositions with the book design in mind.
Getting these photos as a gift for someone? Portraits are some of the most treasured, longest enjoyed gifts. Imagine your grandmother or mother’s reaction when she receives beautiful portrait of you, your kids or your family. Let us know if this is a goal so we can help you capture the type of pose and expression that they would love to have.
“A grand adventure is about to begin. “
– Winnie the Pooh
Maternity photos are best when the belly is nice and round and Mama is feeling well, typically 32-36 weeks.
Additional items available at the studio for maternity sessions:
You are welcome to use any of these items you that you like! During your style consultation before we start taking photos, we will peruse the rack of items and pull off anything you would like to try.
- maternity gowns – we have a few gown options that are made for photo shoots
- fabrics for wrapping
- stock maternity clothing – we have a variety of sizes in standard items like black leggings and flowing white skirts
- Accessories including floral headbands/crowns.
We suggest you bring the following:
- A strapless/bandeau bra
- Neutral colored, solid camis (e.g. grey, cream, black, white)
- Your favorite pair of jeans and/or leggings
- Any other outfits that you may want to incorporate (or you can just use what we have here! Most people bring at least one favorite maternity outfit, but it is up to you)
- Remember accessories! Bring shoes and jewelry to coordinate with your different outfits.
- Check out the Pinterest links below for OUTFIT INSPIRATION:
Elegant Inspiration
Casual Inspiration
Bright Inspiration
Other Things to Consider for Maternity Sessions:
- Have a printed ultrasound pic? These can be a fun prop for pictures – feel free to bring yours along.
- Don’t forget to help Dad/other children who will be included in the session with choosing outfits that coordinate with yours!
- We suggest you stick with neutral colors and avoid logos or loud patterns. It is also a good idea to bring one outfit that is light in color, as well as one that is darker to make sure we have a variety of options.
- If older siblings will be part of the session, it is helpful to bring another adult (grandma, aunt, nanny…) with you to help occupy the children while they are not being photographed.
- Hair & makeup pampering takes about an hour. If Mom is doing this, we suggest Dad/other children bring something to occupy themselves while they wait – we do have WiFi available.
“A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”
– Eda J. Le Shan
What to expect when you arrive:
- HEAT The studio will be hot (around 80 degrees) to help your baby be comfortable by mimicking the environment your newborn was so recently experiencing in the womb
Additional items available at the studio for newborns:
- A selection of wraps and blankets for baby
- Headbands and hats, as well as props such as baskets, buckets, & boxes
- changing table, newborn diapers and wipes
For newborns, we suggest you bring:
- Anything you need for feeding baby
- Clothing tends to swim on newborns; they look most natural without clothing or swaddled in wraps. However, if you have special items you would like your baby to wear, feel free to bring them along.
- Bring any props you want to include: things that have personal meaning for your family, items that tell your family’s story, favorite activities, things related to your job/career
- Coordinating outfits for any siblings who will be in the photos
- Outfits For Mom and Dad:
- We will start out with the photos of just your little one, so wear a different outfit to start out in case of accidents–we suggest something lightweight because the studio will be hot
- For your photos, bring outfits that coordinate. Solid colors work great – either both of you in light, solid colors or both of you in dark solid colors. If you aren’t sure what to bring, keep it simple and help baby stand out with a long sleeved, black top for mom and a black/dark-colored top for dad. Our rack of maternity clothing is also available for mom.
Other Things to Consider for Newborns
- If possible, it is a good idea to wait to fill their bellies until after your style consultation – right before the first photos are taken.
- If younger aged siblings will be part of the session, it is helpful to bring another adult (grandma, aunt, nanny…) with you to help occupy the children while they are not being photographed.
- You will need to be available during the session to be a spotter for your baby. Safety first!
- Hair & makeup pampering takes about an hour. If Mom is doing this, we suggest Dad/other children bring something to occupy themselves while they wait – there is WiFi available in the studio.
The best time to photograph a newborn is within the first 14 days after birth. We understand babies come on their own time – so if you booked your session pre-birth, simply fill in the form below when your baby arrives to let us know. After you submit this form, we will contact you to schedule the actual session date. It is best to do this within a couple of days after birth to make sure we get you scheduled within that 14 day window!
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