I find a lot of my clients wonder how to prepare for their session. It can be very stressful. Photography sessions are an investment and you want to get the most for your money. Here are six tips on how best to prepare for yours.
1. Why?
Think about what your main goal is for the session. Do you just want a quick updated photo for your holiday card or do you want to invest in wall art and home decor? Do you want a relaxed session or more a traditional one? Depending on your answers will depend on your location as well.
2. Location
Once you have your goal in mind, you can now determine where you location will be. I try to pick a location that is meaningful to my clients.
If you are looking for a more relaxed session, I recommend your home. I love these type of sessions. I normally can get the best organic and natural connections. This is especially great for families with young kids. Kids are so much more relaxed and cooperative in their own home. Ideas for this type of session might be everyone in their PJs making breakfast, baking cookies, reading books, playing a game, etc.
Click here for an extended family in-home session.
If you are looking for a quick portrait, more posed and traditional session, a studio or an outdoor location might be nice. Asking your photographer four outdoor locations is a great resource. She will know some great spots from past sessions. Other ideas might be the city, ice cream parlor, favorite spot, or local farm.
Here is an example of an outdoor session in the family’s yard.
3. Pick your date
I recommend my clients book their session as much in advanced as they can. This way you have time to coordinate your outfits! (what to wear post coming soon!) Plus it gives you time to plan haircuts and a mani-pedi. Yes, your fingers and toes and end up in the photo. A great excuse for mom to treat herself.
4. Let your kids be kids
Remember your kids are just that, kids. Pick a time that works around their schedule. Especially naps and meals. Also if your kids get sick the week of your session, call and reschedule. A sick kid does not make for good pictures. You want them to be healthy and happy during the session.
No “cheese” please! Trust your photographer, she knows what she is doing.
5. Be well rested and fed
This one seems pretty straightforward. Make sure everyone has a semi-full belly and sessions are not during nap times.
6. Relax
The best advice is just to relax, play, have fun, and be yourselves. The photos my moms love best are the in between moments. Don’t focus on what you want the pictures to be and enjoy the experience. Doing this will yield the best results.
Elise Cellucci is located in Blue Bell, PA Montgomery County. Elise Cellucci is a modern photographer specializing in lifestyle artistic custom family photography. As a professional photographer, Elise captures maternity, newborn, baby and family portraits in Blue Bell, North Wales, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, Lansdale, Worcester, Conshohocken, Philadelphia Mainline, and surrounding areas.
