THE NDP SESSION PROCESS
SESSION CHECKLIST
✓ EMAIL US YOUR SESSION LOCATION CHOICE. CHECK THEM OUT THROUGH BELOW.
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✓ SELECT YOUR WARDROBE COLOR PALETTE FROM THE PREFERRED LIST BELOW.
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✓ PLAN COORDINATED OUTFITS FOR EVERYONE, AND PURCHASES WELL IN ADVANCE.
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✓ BRING WATER, TOYS, SNACKS, ETC., FOR KIDS or YOU...WHICHEVER YOU PREFER.
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STEP 01
CHOOSING LOCATION
Now that your session date is confirmed (YAY!), start by deciding on a session location right away and letting us know ASAP so we can can make sure that we're available to travel then if necessary.
STEP 02
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WHAT TO WEAR
Helping everyone look their best for the photo session.
orange & green
cream & black
pastels
whites & neutrals
cream & brown
rust & blue
earthy tones
blues & creams
CLOTHING TIPS
DO'S AND DONT'S FOR PICKING YOUR OUTFITS
✓ STICK TO 1-2 COLORS, WHEN IN DOUBT...GO NEUTRAL.
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✓ LONG, FLOWY DRESSES ARE AN EASY WIN
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✓ DRESS MOM FIRST AND COORDINATE THE GROUP WITH THAT OUTFIT
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✗ AVOID CRAZY BUSY PATTERNS, STRIPES, AND LOGOS
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✗ DON'T WEAR NEONS, BRIGHTS, OR BRIGHT WHITES
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✗ DON'T FORGET THE SHOES, CLEAN THEM IF THEY'RE DIRTY...PLEASE
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ONLINE STYLING TOOL
CONVENIENT - FUN - NECESSARY
Putting together outfits has never been easier!
→ First, select a color scheme and the style you prefer.
→ Next, the results page will show you photo-approved clothing pieces for each person. Play around with different options until you land on something you love.
→ Then, email the results to yourself (and us!) You can even shop for the clothes directly from your results page, OR find similar pieces in your own closet! That's it!
Use the access code below to begin →
ACCESS CODE: FAMILY
WHERE TO SHOP ONLINE
LET'S GO SHOPPING
FOR WOMEN:
Vici Collection, H&M, Lulus, Baltic Born, Old Navy, Amazon
FOR MATERNITY:
Our Client Closet, PinkBlush Maternity, Sew Trendy, Asos, Filyboo, Amazon
FOR MEN:
J. Crew, Zara, Gap, H&M, Target, Amazon
FOR KIDS & BABIES:
Zara, Target, Gap, Old Navy, Amazon, H&M
→ DRESS FROM OUR CLIENT CLOSET
STEP 03
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GUIDE TO A GREAT SESSION
MY GOAL IS TO CAPTURE YOUR CONNECTIONS.
During your session, expect to be guided with prompts and poses the majority of the session to capture all the emotive moments I live for!
Preparing yourself and your children for what to expect goes a long way.
KEY THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE THE SHOOT:
→ Be on time. Even better, build in an extra 15 minutes, so no one feels rushed.
→ On the day of your session, I will guide you the entire time.
→ Bring water, a towel, your makeup for touch-ups, a brush, and snacks for the kids.
→ The desert is often windy, Plan to bring a brush and some hair ties, just in case. We may need to reschedule if it's over 15mph.
→ Prep your youngins ahead of time. Make sure they know this will be FUN and how important it is that they are good listeners.
But, no threats, please!
→ A fun reward for cooperating is encouraging afterward and works wonders sometimes. We will be doing lots of giggling and hugging throughout the session, so there will be lots of interaction.
DURING THE SHOOT:
→ Whenever children are involved, you can expect there to be moments when it feels like chaos. I will guide you when this happens to do other things to deter the child from having a meltdown, as much as possible.
→ For those under 8 years, photos can feel challenging. Let go of any expectations for how young children should behave, to a degree. That's not to say to let them run around like wild animals, but more so let go of the desire to have them constantly looking at the camera the whole time.
→ We WILL at times need to pivot and improvise, this ALWAYS happens and it's OKAY! I'm good at redirecting attention!
→ Don't worry about having to coach your children to be "good", "say cheese" or "do your good smile". Some kids who have been coached to smile for the photographer prior to the session get so nervous that they can't be themselves because they are so worried that they won't make their parents happy. Ultimately, we end up not getting many usable shots to work with. Let me coach first, then I'll ask for help if my tricks aren't working.
→ We will get a mix of looking images and emotive images. We will intentionally start with the "look at me" poses and then I will guide you through everything else from beginning to end. You won't need to think about anything, especially where to put your hands!
STEP 04
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SESSION DAY
As you approach, keep in mind these two things:
✓ RELAX, HAVE FUN, AND JUST BE YOU
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✓ TRUST ME AS YOUR EXPERT PHOTOGRAPHER
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MUST KNOW TIPS
THE THINGS KNOW ONE TELLS YOU...
FOR MEN
If you sweat a lot, wear a solid-colored shirt (it's easier to edit sweat out of) and wear an undershirt. Bring a backup shirt to change into if you get too sweaty.
FOR WOMEN
Wear a NUDE-COLORED bra and the correct style for the top. Remove your watch before spending lots of time in the sun so you don't have that watch tan, or simply disguise the tan with a few coordinating bracelets instead.
FOR THE LITTLES
Put baby in a romper, jumper, onesie, or outfit with the onesie sewn in. Nothing worse than the outfit riding up exposing the diaper in the photos.
STEP 05
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CAN WE DO AN OUTFIT CHANGE?
We strongly recommend only one outfit for your family, especially if you have booked a MINI session or a LITE session. Additionally, most places do not have restrooms to change in. If you DO choose to change, it WILL cut into the session time.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE LATER SESSION TIME AND MY CHILD'S BEDTIME..
We understand late summer sessions require a one-time adjustment in kids' schedules. Late naps can do wonders! Do not plan any exhausting activities the day of your session and nothing at all 2-3 hours prior to the session. make a relaxing day and bring snacks.
CAN YOU GET A MIX OF DIFFERNET SHOTS DURING OUR EXTENDED FAMILY SESSION?
Yes, I take the same approach with Extended Family Sessions as I do with my Immediate Family Sessions. However, I will start with the Full Family shots and they will just be posed "looking" at the camera shots, mostly. Then I will branch off by getting various group shots of family members, ending with shots of each individual family getting both posed and emotive shots.
Please let me know the important individual groupings ahead of time that you have in mind so that I can prepare mentally the flow the session will take.
DO YOU TRAVEL?
Yes!!! There's a travel fee of $.90/mile to cover my time to travel and travel expenses.
I WEAR GLASSES, WILL THAT BE A PROBLEM IF I KEEP THEM ON?
Yes and no! Let me explain...If you wear glasses all the time in your everyday life, then that becomes the way everyone sees you, INCLUDING you. However, there will be glares in the lenses, and if you're ok with not seeing your eyes, then by all means. Where I draw the line though is if you wear transition lenses that darken in sunlight. Bring a non-prescription pair instead or wear none at all because otherwise, we won't be able to see your eyes, and YES, EVEN in the shade!
It's happened one too many times during my career. Remember this too...I'm the one that needs to see you to take the photos, but you don't necessarily need to see me, in focus, for me to create these images for you. For emotive and expressional purposes, I need to see your eyes, so if you can leave them behind when we start shooting, then that would be your best outcome.
THE WEATHER APP SHOWS WIND!
I'm in constant view of my weather app and I've found it to be THE most accurate. I HAVE to know the weather to fully prepare for our session.
I'll be in touch the day before and the day of with any changes that need to be made. I will not shoot if the wind is over 15mph. We will coordinate our schedules to reschedule for the next available mutual date.
CAN WE BRING OUR PET?
Sure! I just ask that you bring someone to get the pet's attention (if possible) and to handle the pet when it's not in certain shots.
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