Hints & Tips for Session Day

This is easily one of the most common questions I get! When it comes to choosing outfits, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident. Wear something that feels like you! Don't be afraid to mix patterns, play with textures, or combine different colors - variety can photograph beautifully.

When you've got everyone's outfits laid out on the bed, here are some tips to help guide you:

• Do they feel like you? The goal isn't to dress like someone else - it's to look like the best version of yourself. If it doesn't feel natural, don't wear it!
• Stick to a cohesive color palette. Think 3-5 colors that work well together. Neutrals + a few complimentary tones always photograph beautifully.
• Lean into soft, earthy, or muted tones. These colors photograph more naturally, flatter skin tones, and keep the focus on connection instead of clothing.
• Mix textures for depth. This isn't a "must have!" but if you can, mix textures like knits, linen, denim, lace, corduroy - texture adds visual interest without overwhelming the image.
• Layer when possible. Cardigans, jackets, flannels, or dressed with movement add dimension and give you variety without needing a full outfit change.
• Coordinate, don't match. Aim for outfits that look good together, not identical. Variety makes the image feel more natural and less staged.
• Prioritize comfort and movement. You may be sitting, walking, holding kids, and interacting. If you can move freely, your photos will feel more relaxed and genuine.

What you want to avoid:

• Tiny, busy patterns. Small prints (like tight florals, thins stripes, or micro-checks) will pull attention away from your faces and in turn, your connection. What looks subtle in person can feel chaotic in photos.
• Large logos or graphics. Logos instantly date your images and draw the eye to the clothing instead of the connection (I know - but it's all about the connection!) between you. You want your photos to feel timeless.
• Neon or overly bright colors. Super bright tones can reflect onto skin and create unnatural color casts (especially on faces). Softer, muted tones photograph much more naturally.
• Clashing colors without intention. Mixing colors is GREAT - but if everyone is wearing completely different, bold tones, it can feel disjointed in photos. Aim for coordination, not competiton.

When in doubt, send options! I'd love to help you narrow things down or make small adjustments. Don't hesitate to reach out - my goal is to make this process feel simple, easy, and stress-free. We're in this together.

Feeling awkward in front of the camera? That’s completely normal. Most people aren’t professional models — and honestly, that’s not what I’m looking for anyway.

There’s a reason I became a photographer — and it’s not just to press a button and hope you magically know how to pose. My job is to guide you, help you relax, and most importantly, make sure you have fun during our session.

I’ll give you light direction and fun little prompts that help get you moving and interacting naturally. None of that stiff “stand here and smile” stuff. Yes, some prompts might feel a little silly — like whispering your favorite vegetable into your partner’s ear or walking like you’ve had one too many cocktails while bumping hips. But here’s the secret: the more ridiculous the prompt, the more genuine the laughter — and that’s where the magic happens.

So, if you’re worried about being awkward, don’t be. All I ask is that you trust the process, lean into the fun, and let go a little. The photos we’ll create together will feel real, joyful, and totally you. And those goofy moments? They just might turn out to be your absolute favorites.

If I had a dollar for every time a parent gave me a heads-up about their "wild child"… I’d probably be editing on a beach somewhere by now! But here’s the truth: when you tell me your kid is wild, energetic, or hard to wrangle, what I really hear is — they’re full of life. And that’s exactly what I love to capture.

Whether they’re running in every direction, giggling nonstop, or refusing to sit still for more than two seconds — that’s where the magic is. I absolutely love the challenge of chasing little ones around, camera in hand, waiting for those big, genuine smiles and bursts of pure joy. The best photos often happen when they’re not posing, but just being themselves.

So if your session feels chaotic or you're worried it’s all going off the rails — don’t stress for a second. I’ve done this enough times to know that even when things feel wild, the final gallery always tells a different story. I promise you’ll receive an album full of happy, love-filled moments — the kind you'll cherish forever.

Let your kids be kids. I’ll take care of the rest.

When it comes to how you want your photos — and your album — to feel, timing is everything. Whether you're dreaming of soft and bright, warm and golden, or something in between, the light plays a huge role in bringing that vision to life. When you book your session with me, just let me know if you are looking for something specific and we can catch that perfect window.

Don’t stress! Even if the sun hides behind the clouds, overcast skies can give us a soft, even light that photographs beautifully. It may not be exactly what you imagined, but I promise — we’ll still create images you’ll absolutely love.