Five Tips for a Stress-Free Photo Session

Yay, you booked a photo session! Now what?

Once you’ve picked a date, paid a retainer, and signed a contract, you’re ready to finalize all the details and prepare for your session. Here are some tips to help you prepare!

1. Schedule a “Golden Hour” Session

It’s no secret that the lighting during the hour before sunset looks gorgeous for photographs. There’s a reason why every photographer wants to shoot at golden hour, and it’s because the light will make their clients look absolutely fabulous. Of course, there are times and certain situations when a golden hour session just won’t work, so it’s important to trust your photographer to find the best light when it comes to shooting in less ideal conditions.

2. Choose Your Location

Do you prefer to showcase the city vibe or the natural environment? Luckily, there are so many great options for either in our city. As a photographer, I try to stick to locations that match my light and bright editing style better than others. I’m also willing to travel a little out of the city if you have a certain spot in mind. If you need help deciding, I’m more than happy to help!

3. Wear Comfortable Outfits

Most of my clients enjoy getting dressed up for their photos. I love the look of women in long flowy dresses and men in suits, but I understand that it’s not everyone’s vibe. Wearing what makes you feel the most like your authentic self is what matters the most.

As far as colors go, I recommend neutrals because they always look amazing on everyone, are always in style, and photograph beautifully. For families, friend groups, and couples, the goal is to coordinate outfits but not necessarily “match.” When you book a session with me, I’ll share with you an entire guide that goes more in-depth about outfits! Above all, wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident — that will truly make the biggest difference between photos you love and photos you like!

4. Prep Your Crew (Your Kiddos, Your Man, Friends) And Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

It’s pretty common that most men don’t enjoy taking photos. The most important thing you’ll want to do is tell him what to expect and why these photos are important to you. If he knows why these photos are important to you, it’ll be important to him, too! And ask if he has any fun poses he wants to do - you'd be surprised at the fun, crazy ideas some men come up with! He’ll have so much fun during the session that he won’t even realize how fast it goes by :)

If you have kids, I can’t stress how much of a difference it makes to talk to them about your upcoming photo session. They love to be in the know. The more they know what to expect, the smoother your session will likely be. We can’t control our kids' behavior (trust me, I know from experience with my little ones), so if they aren’t cooperating as expected, I encourage you to relax, embrace the chaos, and have fun with it! A photo session is not the time to be disciplining, yelling, or fighting with your kids. I promise you, even the craziness is worth documenting!

5. Rest, Hydrate, And Eat

I highly suggest getting plenty of rest, hydration, and nourishment before your session. In general, people who are rested and fed are happier, and that shows in your photos! You can definitely bring water and snacks with you, and I’ll be sure to check that you don’t have any food stuck in your teeth when you show off your beautiful smile!

I hope these tips help you plan and prepare for your fun, stress-free photo session!