Families & Children:
 

Considering preparing your children for the photo session.  Let them know that this is important to you and that you would love their cooperation. Get them excited and make it a good experience for them.  Plan a fun activity for after the photo session such as

getting pizza, ice cream or going to the park!

Be sure NOT to threaten to take the fun thing away if they don't cooperate fully but rather remind them what they

get to do after they smile for the pictures!  

 

I will start out the photo session with candid/casual shots of the kids to help them get comfortable with me and my camera.  When it comes time for posed shots, whatever is happening, keep looking at the camera and smiling. No matter what. When I catch the kids smiling or laughing, I need the parents/adults to already be there.  Keep a positive, upbeat and encouraging attitude.  No kids I know will smile when their parents are talking sternly or worse yelling at them. Please try not to allow kids to eat snacks on the way to your session.  They may get stains on their clothing or arrive with messy faces & teeth. Make sure their faces are clean. Pay special attention to the areas of the eyes, nose & mouth.

​

What to Wear:

 

These are merely tips. You are ultimately in control of your clothing choices and the look you want to portray in your photos. When having family photos, treat your family's wardrobe selections as a total outfit.  In other words, make sure everyone is dressed for the (same) season with coordinating colors (choose 2-3 colors), not matching everything. Wear solid colored clothing. (One person, such as mom or dad if preferred can wear a patterned top if it coordinates with the colors of the group.  Stripes should go up and down, not side to side) I once had a fall family photo session where everyone was in darker colors and long sleeves, except one person was wearing a yellow short sleeve polo shirt with light khaki pants. He was dressed for spring, not fall and stuck out like a sore thumb. The goal is to be drawn to everyone's faces, not to stand out from the rest of the group. Darker clothing slims and long sleeves (or at least elbow length) look best when practical. Choose long pants for men/women or a skirt below the knee for women (so that you can sit and bend without showing too much leg).  Your arms and legs take up more skin area than your face and will draw attention.  Choose dark socks and footwear. (white socks are a big no-no with dark pants as that's all you'll notice later) Men should always wear closed toe shoes. In general, white doesn't photograph well on most people. Solid pops of color are great to add personality and interest. Try fun scarves and neckties. Keep jewelry simple as too much jewelry takes attention away from your face. Do your make-up and hair as you normally would. Trying something new may end up in you hating your photos.  Schedule haircuts 2 weeks before your photo session. Men may need it to grow out a bit. Ladies may need time to practice working their hair. Allow some time to live with your new look and be comfortable.  If you need to reschedule your photo session, that's okay. I want you to be confident and comfortable for your photos!  

 

Props:

​

Personalize your photo session with a blanket, toy, stuffed animal, musical instrument, sports equipment, your pet, your car,

your artwork, and more!

 

Just for High School Seniors:

 

Guys:

 

Consider wearing a suit for a few shots.  Make sure you get a brand-new suit that's just for you! Don't try to get by with your dad's clothes! A nice suit will serve you well for years to come. You will look so handsome and grown-up! These shots can come in handy for business headshots or your Linked-in profile as you head into adulthood.

Dressing in a sharp, timeless style can give you confidence in front of the camera. Navy and Dark grey are popular for young men today. Jeans and your favorite t-shirts and hoodies always make great casual outfits. 

Be sure to bring coordinating shoes for each outfit. Don't worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera. I understand that for most guys, this is totally mom's idea.  I have three sons of my own and I have a ton of experience photographing guys. We'll keep it mostly chill.

You'll have more fun than you think you will!

​

Girls: 

​

Why not go all out and wear your prom dress for a few shots! You spent a small fortune on it, so why not get some high-quality images of you wearing it!  Jeans can be styled so many ways: with a cute, fitted top, flowy top, sweater, or tank top!

If it's your style, casual, flowy dresses are so fun as they show motion as you move about posing and twirling around. Bring several outfits! Make sure dresses, skirts and shorts aren't too short so that you can pose and move without constantly adjusting your outfit.  Don't worry about bringing too many clothes. It's always good to have options.  You may change your mind at the last minute. Be sure to bring coordinating shoes for each outfit! Also, if you would like to go barefoot in some shots, be sure to get a pedicure!

I want you to be confident, be yourself and have fun! ​Let's do this!

 

Tips for Both Guys & Girls:

​

 The easiest way to switch up your look during your photo session without taking up a lot of time is to keep the same pants/jeans and just switch out your top/shirt. Consider adding a jacket or vest. You can also add a hat, sunglasses or other props.  I'm not strict about the number of complete outfit changes. You should just know that the more time you spend changing clothes, the less time there will be for taking pictures which will mean less to choose from in your online photo gallery. Please make sure to take care of your eyebrows (trim as necessary), lips (start moisturizing several days in advance) and nails (trimmed and tidy-no chipped nail polish).   

 

Let mom have a choice in one of your outfits including the shoes! The rest should be about you and your style. Your Senior Pictures should represent your style and preferences for clothing choices. Footwear is important. Mowing in the shoes you plan to wear for your Senior Pictures is not recommended!

Make sure your shoes are clean and that your clothes are wrinkle free.