While you are waiting for your upcoming portrait session date, here are a few things that might answer some questions, make things a bit easier and help you get ready!
I have a TSP Pinterest board strictly created to assist clients in searching for the perfect wardrobe for their session. You can find this board HERE. I have also included a few tips about choosing your wardrobe as well as some links to some of my favorite online shops for kids clothing HERE. I also have a collection of little girls boutique and high end dresses available to wear for sessions (that don't involve getting messy) and you can find those HERE. I also have a few baby/toddler boy items. Please keep in mind this collection is always growing and does not reflect everything that I have! If you plan on your child wearing something from my collection, please let me know in advance. You will need to arrive ahead of time to look through the collection and try anything on/make your choice(s).
If you haven't already, please remember to fill out and submit your online portrait agreement and get your retainer ($250) paid to reserve your date!
- Get excited!!
- Be sure to fill out your session agreement that you’ll receive through email to confirm your booking.
- Insure that your retainer has been received.
- Make sure it is on your calendar as well as other family members calendars.
- Change work schedules, ask for time-off if needed, etc.
- Schedule your hair & makeup appointment if you are planning on hiring someone.
- Find your outfits!
- Once you have them, have everyone try everything on to make sure it all fits and you’re happy with the look. Feel free to reach out if you need any help.
- Double check that you scheduled your hair and makeup appointments for the session day (if you are hiring a professional.)
- Make sure you have your own hair salon appointments scheduled in time for your session if you will need root touchups, etc.
- If you plan on having a spray tan, make sure you are using someone you’ve used before and are happy with. You want a good nice even color and not an orange tint to your skin for pictures.
- If you or anyone in your family wear glasses with transition lenses, be sure to swap out for a different pair before your session. If that is all they have, just know there will be a tint to their glasses in your images.
- Plan ahead for a nail appointment! Make sure you make time for an appointment or make time to do them yourself before your session.
- Double check that your outfits are ready to go!
- Do you or any of your family members need haircuts? Make sure you plan ahead to get those taken care of before your session day.
- Do you have the correct type of bra/underwear for your outfits? (Sticky bra/strapless bra, etc.) Might want to make sure you don’t need anything!
- If there is anything particular you are wanting for your session, this is a good time to reach out and communicate that in advance.
- Hang up your outfits in a safe place, all together. Make sure you have steamed them if needed and they are wrinkle free.
- Make sure you have all pieces of your outfits such as shoes, belts, jewelry, etc.
- Make sure the other family members that will be photographed are all on the same page and know where and what time to arrive if they’ll be coming separately.
- Parents: If you have young children, make sure you have prepared their nap schedule to work for our session time. If they are watched by someone else or in daycare, insure that those adults know their sleep schedule for the day.
- Parents: If your littles have temporary tattoos or paint or marker on their skin, be sure to clean that off ahead of time so their skin isn't red at the session from scrubbing.
- Let me know if there is anything you need to communicate with me ahead of time.
- Parents: Make sure your little ones get their nap(s) in enough time to not run into your travel and session time.
- Parents: If you are local and won’t be traveling far, don’t let little ones fall asleep in the car; most times these kiddos wake grumpy OR take half or all of our session time to fully wake up.
- Empty your pockets. Leave extra items you won’t need in your car or bag. (Phones, sunglasses, keys, lipgloss, etc.) If you have something you need to keep with you, bring it but be prepared to leave it in my bag or somewhere close by- just not in your pockets.
- If you or anyone in your family wear prescription glasses, make sure you clean them before you head out for your session.
- Remove any tags and stickers from your clothing. (Check the bottoms of shoes also.)
- Parents: Be sure to plan for snacks (prior to your session) if your young ones need one; so they aren’t hungry/grumpy during your session. (Bring wipes and maybe dress them when you arrive if you are worried about mess if they eat on the way.) Make sure to clean their little faces up before we get started as well.
- Parents: Make sure faces are clean from runny noses, etc. as well.
- Load your vehicle in advance! It never fails that you will forget something last minute if you are trying to gather things (and people) as you are leaving. (I speak from experience myself!)
- Your balance is due at your session. I accept cash, check and Venmo. If you need to pay by PayPal please make arrangements ahead of time. All Paypal payments will require a small fee to cover the PayPal fee charged.
- Make sure you have the address/location before you head out.
- Relax and breathe. Your session is finally here! :)
- Don’t know what to do with your hands? (Talladega night fan? We are movie quoters in my house. hehe) I will handle posing! The only time I am NOT telling you what to do, I’m telling you to ignore me, act silly, have fun, play with your kids OR I have given you an action to act out so I can get some natural body movements! You don’t have to come prepared to pose yourself unless you have something in particular you want to do (in which case I’m all for that also!) But you will NOT have to worry about how to stand, where to look or what to do with your arms. I’ve got you covered!
- Parents: be prepared to play, act silly, be funny and at times just act like you’re hanging with your kids like normal. Some of these shots will be your favorites from the session. Communicate this with your other family members in advance so they know I’ll be asking you guys to also totally ignore me and just be yourselves at times. (I’ll still give you direction and actions though!)
- Parents: Keep in mind things that make your little ones laugh, smile or come out of their shell. Trust me, I've seen it all.. you aren’t going to surprise me! ;)
- Couples: I LOVE to see you interact with one another. I want you to be yourselves and I want you to have fun. I also want to see your sweet sides with one another. I love cuddling, snuggling, playful shots and I'll ask you to do things during the session that may make you feel silly but it's all to capture your real, genuine personalities. I always recommend communicating this with your signigicant other prior to the session.
- Lastly, communicate with me during your session! If you have a side you prefer or you want to showcase something in particular, let me know that! I want you to be as comfortable and confident as possible during your session. I’m here deliver images you’ll cherish forever but ALSO to make this a fun and memorable experience for you!
I always highly recommend booking a professional for your session day. I have included some makeup artists below that I have worked with and recommend! This is 1 less thing you have to worry about on your session day AND it's nice to get a little pampering. Going a little bolder with your makeup is important for it to show in the images. You can go full glam OR talk with your makeup artist and ask for more or a natural look that will still show up well in your pictures.