I am so thrilled to be working with you and am counting down the days to your session! It’s perfectly normal to have some jitters about getting photos taken. Honestly, I still get the butterflies before our family photos too - and I do this for a living! I totally get it. I put this guide together to help you get the best results from our time together. I'm going to take great care of you and am here to help every step of the way.
I'm not kidding when I say I'm over the moon you pulled the trigger (just imagine the MAGIC we are going to create together!). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust in me. It is an honor to create one of the most integral parts of your family's legacy.
Please carefully read the topics I will cover, the information in this guide will help you get the most out of our session together. Consistency is important to me and I want to make sure you get the most amazing photos EVER!
Are you ready for some good news? You really don't need to do much! Besides outfit selection (which I cover in this guide), all I truly ask of you is to enjoy your experience. After all, the best part of appreciating the photos on your walls is knowing you had an awesome time getting them taken.
I'm SO excited. Have I mentioned that yet?
Bad Weather?
I will keep an eye on the forecast the week before our session. It can change quickly... in either direction! If the forecast is sketchy there is always a bit of a gamble with whatever choice I make, as the weather can change on a dime. However, I will try to make the best decision based on my professional experience and let you know if we will need to reschedule (my goal is to make the call before you would begin getting ready!). The most important thing to me is the lighting outside. Even if it's not raining but the clouds are too heavy, we will need to reschedule. Dark clouds make for unflattering shadows, and of course the possibility of rain is no fun when you just spent so much time on everyone's hair! If this happens, will proceed with the backup date we chose upon first booking.
GUM, TRANSITION LENSES AND SPRAY TANS...
All of these are cool. Just...not as much when it comes to photos! Gum will peek through at least a few shots no matter how much you think it won't, transition lenses look like sunglasses (we want to see those beautiful peepers!) and even if a spray tan looks amazing in person, it really throws off the skin tones that I absolutely pride myself in capturing. Your natural skin color is the BEST with my style of photography!
If you wear glasses and have transition lenses, you can either remove the glasses altogether for the photos, or if they are an integral part of your look, you can change them out for a pair with traditional lenses. I will try my best to minimize the glare so we can see those gorgeous eyes!
What if I don't know what to do?
I think most of us feel this way at heart. Luckily not only are my sessions extremely relaxed, but I fully guide you and your family into poses and give you prompts so you can have moments of genuine laughter and fun together. Often you won't even realize how amazing a moment is and I sneak a photo in!
One of the best parts about my job is to see the beauty in what seems like ordinary moments, and provide you those memories forever.
The Day of the Session
A few things to keep in mind...
Please be on time or even better, early!
Please plan on arriving ten minutes before our start time, or even earlier if you plan on getting the kids dressed after you get there. It also gives you a little cushion in case you hit a snag. Unexpected things happen on photo day - hair doesn't cooperate, traffic gets crazy, you have to run back because you forgot something (or is all of this just me?).
If you give yourself extra time you will be extra relaxed!
Don't worry about behavior
Ok, hear me out on this. I promise I'm not telling you how to parent, BUT... for just the time we have together, pretty please don't worry a single bit about your child's behavior. Sometimes kids can sense that they are about to do something out of the norm (I mean, how often does your whole family get dressed up and head out to a field, amiright?), and they may get extra silly or start acting out. I totally understand you want them to be on their best behavior because I would feel the same! ...however, in the spirit of just having a relaxing, fun experience (and getting great photos!), it works the very best if disciplining is paused during the session. More often than not it backfires anyway and the grumpy faces stick around longer.
For what it's worth I rarely see this but I just wanted to plant a little seed that you don't have to worry about being "the bad guy" for the time we are together (hooray! Enjoy the vacation!).
I have a "bag of tricks" that usually works if a child is having challenges. Also, we have plenty of time to give them the pauses they need. I can stop and walk with them, talk with them, ask them about their favorite stories, shows, or toys. Worst case scenario? They stay grumpy and you will get some pretty entertaining photos that just may be your favorite ones EVER because what's funnier than a photo of your kid with a scowl face??
So yeah, don't worry mama. We will get some great stuff.
Light Colors and Patterns
Perhaps you've noticed that mostly everyone on my website or instagram feed is wearing light colors. There is a reason for this! A photographer's best friend is light. Light is my "paint," if you will. I use it to get a very specific look. When you wear light clothing, the sunlight bounces around, reflects back onto your face and anyone who is around you, creating a beautiful glow. It flatters your skin - making it creamier, and hiding flaws. It also helps create the overall aesthetic of the photo.
Another reason I highly recommend light colors is that sunlight combined with vivid colors (such as really bright blues, neon yellows, etc) will make for an unnatural color cast on your skin. With the lighting I use, if you are wearing bright green and it reflects back onto your face (...and it will....) it can make you look slightly sick and we don't want that! I want to make sure your skin looks vibrant, healthy, and true to color.
Low Contrast
My aim when it comes to clothing, is to have it NOT distract from your faces and expressions! I want the focus to be solely on those dimples in your baby's cheeks, your son's freckles, your daughter's beautiful brown eyes. When you are wearing simple and timeless clothing, the attention isn't drawn to your clothing... but to those amazing features I just mentioned. This is a great thing! When you wear busy patterns, it competes for that attention and your eyes are naturally drawn there.
The Squint test
When in doubt about a pattern, do a "squint test" - just look at it, squint your eyes, and if the clothing item looks like a solid color or close to it, it's good to go! If it still looks pretty busy and patterns can be easily distinguished, it's better to go with something more delicate.
My favorite places to shop
Zara
H&M
Rylee and Cru
Quincy Mae
Free People
Noralee
, Lulus
Asos
Anthropologie
Doen
Baltic Born
Christy Dawn
A Few More Tidbits
White VS Cream
First off, this is just a suggestion and not the end of the world, but...clothing that is cream or ivory, photographs white. Clothing that is "WHITE-white," photographs blue(ish)! Cream clothes are softer on skin tones and luckily easier than ever to find (this hasn't always been the case!). So if you can, go with cream over bright white pretty please.
*The exception to this is if you are using a lot of gray in your clothing! Grays and whites go better than grays and cream! Think cool tones vs. warm tones.
Shoes
Anything neutral, light and/or NOT distracting works! In the summer, I love kiddos in bare feet if the terrain allows. As for babies who can't walk - if it's warm enough, let's see those cute toes! If it's cold out, neutral boots are adorable, or just about anything as long as it's not a distracting color. If mom is wearing a maxi dress, often times we won't be able to see those shoes so no pressure there. When all is said and done, I just want to make sure the shoes don't attract too much visual attention, we want that going to your faces!
Props
I'm not big on tons of elaborate props (I like to keep the focus on your beautiful expressions!), but I'm ALL for a meaningful prop or two in a select handful of images; especially florals! If you bring flowers I will get a big smile on my face that might be hard to erase.
Hair and Makeup
While it isn't 100% necessary, feel free to go all out! Professionally done hair & makeup stand up to the "test of time" nicely, and if there is humidity or wind, it is a great decision.
With the settings I use to shoot, pretty please go with a shade darker when it comes to your blush and lipstick than you usually do (these things will photograph lighter than they look in person). Not heavy! Just a *tad* darker. Feel free to put a little bit of blush on your kiddos as well if you think they need it!
What happens after the session?
Well, ideally you get back in the car and say, "Wow, did we really just take photos or just hang out?" Or... "She was the best. She should run for President!" Actually, I will probably make you promise to go out for ice cream afterwards and continue the fun. (P.S. Your kids will sleep REALLY well that night!)
On my end I will come home, give my own family some hugs, and then start downloading your photos. From there I will need two weeks to properly go through the images, weed out multiples and blinks, and then edit them in my specific and unique style. Two weeks after the date of your session I will send you an email with a link to your gallery. From there you will be able to view your photo proofs and make selections for your order!
And remember, I'm here to assist you in every step along the way.
A note from Ashley
my greatest wish is that you, your children, and grandchildren ADORE these photos forever. After all, your family is what life is ALL about, and one of my greatest joys is that I get to be a small, behind-the-scenes part of preserving your legacy.
I know that this guide is extensive! Hopefully it covers any questions you had in preparing for your session. However if there is something I missed or you need a recommendation, feel free to:
info@ashleynielsenstudio.com
860-577-0933