prepping for your photo session
I’ll guide you through the entire process
I strive to have a candid and casual approach when it comes to photography. I want to make it as painless and fun as possible for all involved. It can be nerve wrecking to be in front of the camera, I totally get it, and I am here to make it easy on you!
01. READY TO BOOK?
Hooray! I can't wait to work together. I know there are many photographers out there to choose from and I am thrilled and honored to get to capture your memories.
Timing is everything so make sure to pick a time that is best with nap schedules and when kids are happiest!
02. PICK A LOCATION
There are so many wonderful locations in and around San Francisco to choose from. Think of what vibe you're looking for, whether its beachy, lush greenery, or cozy at home. Maybe you have a special place for your family you'd like photos at? Possibilities are endless!
03. SHOOT DAY
Please arrive a few minutes early to your shoot and leave plenty of time for parking. Bring some snacks and treats for kids and any comfort items. Pretty picnic blankets can be great to sit on! Remember to bring some layers incase it gets chilly!
Resources & Guides
FAQ
How many photos are included in my session?
All of my sessions included all edited digital images. I carefully curate an album for your family with beautifully edited images. I usually tell my clients to expect about 50 photos with a mini session and at least 200 with a full session.
How do I prepare for my session?
Yay! You booked that family sessoin you've been meaning to book forever! Now what? Sometime people can feel overwhelmed and feel like they need to shop for outfits for the entire family and buy new furniture for their photos at home, other time families don't think about what they will wear until that morning or don't pick a single toy up off their floor before having me over. I've seen it all!
Personally, I am someone that plans a lot for things, but I know not everyone is that way. To save yourself from stress and chaos I definitely reccomend planning your outfits a week before, that way if you realize you want to change something, or if your kid (or husband) hates what you picked out, it's not a surprise an hour before you're supposed to show up to the shoot and you will have time to change it. I can't stress it enough to my clients that you don't need to come totally dressed up or go out and soend a ton on new clothes for the whole family! Feel free to dress casual, be yourself and wear what makes you feel good...or go ahead and treat yourself to something new because that's awesome too! You can visit my Family Style Guide here.
Next, get your kids (and husband) super stoked on our photo shoot. It is going to be FUN, I promise! No cheesy prom photos or matching awkward family photos, we are going to have an adventure and a ton of laughs and create memories you guys will be SO thankful to look back on.
If you have any poses or styles in mind for your session, let me know! I love when clients bring some inspiration to their shoot and love putting my own spin on recreating things and executing your vision!
Lastly, PLEASE be ready for the session when it starts! Be dressed, fed, clean your house a little, think about if parking takes a while, please be on time. It you are late to the session or arrive not dressed, that eats into the time we could be shooting!
Will you bring props to my newborn session?
Yes! I have a few carefully selected props I bring to my newborn sessions that you are more than welcome to use during your session. I make sure everything is clean and washed and ready for your sweet babe to snuggle up in.
Do you travel?
Yes! I love to travel and photograph in new places! I mostly shoot in San Francisco, where I live, but I am happy to travel anywhere in the bay area and beyond. Travel fees may apply depending on where it is.
Why can't I book a mini session year round?
I only offer mini sessions for a brief period in the fall and spring. I do not do them year round because they take a lot of work to coordinate and are considered a special priced event. If you'd like to know more info on when and where my next round of mini sessions will be, sign up for my email list to be the first to know!
Can I do a mini session at home?
No, sorry I do not offer in home mini sessions. When I plan mini sessions I actually do several on each day at that very same location back to back. If you would like an in home session, it would need to be a full two hour session. The full session is great because we can start at your home and then go to a location of your choice!
How long does it take to recieve the photos after the session and how will those be delivered?
My turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks after our session. Keep in mind, my busiest time of the year is around the holidays and I do my best to get photos to you as quickly as possible!
My child is super shy, what is your advice?
I was a shy kid and i have three shy kids, I know how hard it is to break through to shy kiddos and get that genuine smile in photos. I definitely recommend that if you have a shy or nervous child that you do a full session and not a mini session. By doing a full session, we can start slow at your home and your child can warm up to me, show me their favorite things and feel safe and have fun with me before we go out to an outdoor location to shoot. I always have the best luck with kids when we start at home first! If you have your heart set on a mini session thats fine too! The best advice I can give is to pick a location they are familiar with, maybe even their most favorite place or let them choose! Let them pick their outfit, get super excited about it, dress them in something they are comfortable in and feel confident in. Bring their favorite toy or anything they need to feel safe. Plan to do a fun family activity after the shoot too if possible, go to a playground, get ice cream. I love kids and am usually pretty good at getting them to smile and feel safe and happy. Let them be themselves and don't stress!
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
I do not charge for rescheduling family sessions. I'm a mom and I know things happen, kids get sick get black eyes, it rains, ect. I'm happy to reschedule as long as my schedule allows for it! Mini sessions may be tough to reschedule since they often sell out quickly, but I will always try my best to accomodate you! If you absolutely need to reschedule or cancel PLEASE let me know as far in advance as possible. Like I said, my mini sessions book up quickly and I have a waiting list of clients eager to get their photos taken!
For weddings cancellations you will forfeit your deposit, for wedding reschedules I am happy to accomodate with no fee, as long as my schedule allows for it.
Do you shoot events?
Yes! I am available to photograph events of all kinds! I have tons of experience shooting gatherings, company retreats, parties, etc. Please reach out to talk more!
Is a mini session enough time for our shoot?
My mini sessions are 30 minutes. Usually, that is a perfect time to get a good amount of photos done! I'm super quick and can get a lot done, that being said, mini sessions can be a bit hectic. If you think your child will need a lot of time to warm up to me and my camera, if its your first ever photo shoot, or if you want to take the time to go slow and not stress, maybe think about a full session! Also, I definitely do not reccomend mini sessions with newborn babies, for newborn sessions we definitely need the time of the full session to go at their pace!
