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Photography Prep Guide

How to prepare for your Photography Session

I’m so excited to capture beautiful moments with you and your family! To help you get the most out of our time together, here’s a guide to help you prepare and know what to expect.

  1. Location Choices
    Ideally, I love photographing families in their homes. There’s something special about being in a familiar space—especially for kids. It brings out authentic, relaxed moments and adds personality to the photos. If having the session at home isn’t an option, no worries! We can also head outdoors to a place your family loves, or I can suggest some great locations.
  2. Getting Ready
    Once I arrive, I’ll quietly settle in and start by connecting with the kids. I usually follow their lead to help everyone feel at ease. If you have a pet, don’t be surprised if I drop down to their level to say hello! I may even ask the kids for a quick tour of the house to get a sense of where we’ll start. This helps me choose the best spots and gives me a feel for your space. I’ll have my gear (cameras, lenses, lights) ready to make sure we capture you in the most flattering way possible.
  3. What to Expect During the Session
    I’ll give you subtle guidance to keep things looking natural—like where to stand or sit, but it’s mostly about being yourselves and enjoying the moment. If the kids need a break or the energy feels a little stiff, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Simple games or fun activities will help keep things lighthearted and energetic. We’ll take breaks as needed to drink some water and reset, and may even get a little wild—think trampoline jumping, hammock piling, or family member lifting—whatever feels fun! You might even hear a lot of giggles.
  4. Guiding the Session
    I keep things relaxed, so don’t worry about posing perfectly! I’ll find the best light and just gently suggest where to stand or sit. The goal is to capture you being yourselves. I also aim to capture a few images of everyone smiling and looking at the camera.
  5. Managing Expectations
    Every family session is different, and that’s part of what makes them so fun. Sometimes, the unplanned or unexpected moments turn out to be the best. Kids may have off days, or there might be distractions—but that’s totally okay! I always encourage my clients not to put too much pressure on themselves or their kids to behave perfectly or stick to a specific plan. The best photos often happen when you least expect them.
  6. Breaks and Comfort
    I’m all about making sure everyone is comfortable throughout the session. I give short breaks as needed, and if you have little ones or babies, I always make extra time for feeding, diaper changes, or any other needs that may come up. We’ll keep things relaxed and fun, and there’s no rush!

I want you to enjoy this experience and feel at ease. The more relaxed everyone is, the more beautiful and genuine your photos will be. Let’s focus on having fun, being yourselves, and capturing those special moments that will last a lifetime.

If you have any questions or concerns before the session, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help and can’t wait to work with you!

What to Wear for Your Family Photography Session

The most important thing to remember when choosing outfits is to be yourself. These photos are about capturing your family’s personality and unique vibe, so start with an outfit that makes you feel good. Once you’ve decided what to wear, coordinate the rest of the family around that. A great guideline is to aim for everyone being on the same level of dressiness—think casual, but with a little polish. I like to call it the “lunch with friends at a hip café” look—comfortable but stylish!

Do’s and Don’ts: How to Put It All Together

  • Do: Keep it Complementary.
    • Think of your family’s outfits like a bouquet from the farmer’s market—a mix of colors and textures that complement each other, rather than match exactly. Muted colors work beautifully in photos. Soft shades like pastels, earth tones, and light neutrals are a safe bet. Fun prints (think florals, stripes, or even polka dots) can add interest and character without overwhelming the photo.
  • Do: Play with Layers and Textures
    • Layers, textures, and flowy elements always photograph well. A long dress that blows in the wind, lace, sheer fabrics, and cardigans or scarves can add beautiful dimension to your images.
    • Textures like knit sweaters, denim, and linen also add richness and depth to the shots, making them feel more dynamic and engaging.
  • Do: Be Thoughtful About the Details
    • Remember the small touches—nail polish, lipstick, and jewelry can elevate your look, but try to keep it simple and understated. A bold accessory is great, but we don’t want it to steal the spotlight.
  • Don’t: Go Overboard with Bright Whites, Large Logos, or Neon
    • All-white shirts can be tricky because they tend to get blown out in bright sunlight, making them look flat or harsh. Instead, try a soft cream or beige.
    • Large logos are best avoided, as they can be distracting and pull attention away from the emotion and connection in your photos. Neon colors can be overpowering and tend to clash with natural surroundings, making the photos feel more like a costume party than a family portrait.
    • Transition lenses might seem practical, but they often don’t photograph well—giving a ‘half-sunglass, half-normal’ look that’s tough to work with.

If you’re still unsure about what works or need help pulling it all together, feel free to text me photos of your outfit ideas ahead of time. I’m happy to offer feedback or suggestions so that you feel confident and excited about your choices.

Remember: It’s All About Your Style!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your photos feel authentic to you. There’s no need to stress about sticking to the “rules” if they don’t fit your family’s vibe. Some of the best photos come from moments or outfits that break the rules and do something unexpected.

Still Unsure About Outfits? No Problem!

If someone feels strongly about wearing neon sports shorts, Crocs, and transition lenses, I’m all for it! My goal is to capture your family as you truly are, and sometimes the most “non-traditional” choices make for the most memorable photos.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create beautiful, timeless photos that reflect your family’s true personality. And if you ever feel uncertain, just reach out—I’m here to help!

After the Session

After your session, I will get to work on culling your images down to the very best of the best (typically around 55 images/session, then editing those images and getting them up into your gallery. Once they’re ready, I’ll be in touch with the link to your slideshow.

When you’re ready to preview your images, I encourage you to make an event of it! Queue the slideshow up on your TV or a large computer screen and gather the whole family around (sound up!)… the first time you see your photos is always the best.

Remember, your slideshow is only available for 24 hours or until you purchase your collection – whichever comes first – but once you’ve selected and paid for your collection, your gallery (and the slideshow!) will be available for 30 days, pre-loaded with your print credit and set for you to download the number of files that corresponds with your collection.

Downloading your files: Once you’ve selected which images you’d like download (no need to choose if you go with Collection C!), I’d encourage you to do that immediately. As soon as you do, I suggest you make a duplicate copy, then save the two copies to two different locations – I generally recommend that one copy be saved to an easily accessible drive (either on your computer or on an external hard drive), and that the other get saved to the cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) for safekeeping.

Copyright Information

Once you have your digital files, you’re free to use them however you’d like for personal purposes! This means you can print your photos, make holiday cards, share them on your social media, or include them in your personal blog or family photo album—whatever helps you relive those memories. Want to showcase a favorite shot as your profile picture or send it out in a Christmas card? Go for it! The digital files are yours to enjoy and use in those ways.

However, there are a couple of important restrictions to keep in mind. You cannot resell your photos or use them for commercial purposes. For example, if you’re an author and want to use one of the photos on the cover of your book, you’d need additional permission from me. Similarly, if you enter one of your photos into a contest with prize money, that would fall outside the scope of what’s allowed. But other than that, you’re free to enjoy your images however you see fit!

So, print, share, and post to your heart’s content—just remember that resale or commercial use requires separate agreements. Enjoy your photos!

Printing Your Images

While everything that I offer in my store is printed in professional labs and guaranteed to be beautiful, I also recognize that you may want to print your images yourself, and thanks to those digital files, you absolutely can! For online prints, I suggest MPix. Be sure to de-select any color correction options, and make a habit of uploading the original files you downloaded, not copies. The files you receive from me should allow you to print up to 20″x 30″ without any concern of pixellation or loss of quality (possibly larger, depending on the image). If you have questions or concerns, though, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

PHILADELPHIA family PHOTOGRAPHER

ORIGIN PHOTO BY REGINA MILLER

Philadelphia newborn photographer