LET ME HELP YOU PLAN YOUR
FAMILY PHOTO
Mini Session
Tips FOR PREPARING FOR YOUR MINI SESSION
I am so excited to be working with you and letting me document this special time in your lives!
My sessions are natural and relaxed, centered around capturing the love and connection you share as a family. I describe them as going for a walk in the park with a friend, who happens to carry a couple of cameras!
I know how stressful having your family photograph can be, and I'm here to help you make it a fun experience. I am here to answer all your questions, so you'll go into the experience relaxed and prepared.
I've created this guide to help you prepare for your family MINI session and so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way. It covers things to keep in mind when it comes to outfits, what to expect, prepping kids, and more.
Hopefully it helps you feel fully prepared for our time together, but if you have any other questions or in need of advice, please feel free to reach out!
Marianella
BOOKED SESSION
timeline
Here's a little timeline of what happens after booking:
01
02
03
Fill out your questionnaire
Before Session Preparation
Your session day
I will be sending you a Get to know me questionnaire so I can learn more about you and your family for our upcoming session.
Get all details to prepare yourselves for our session. I will be sending a Styling Guide, with tips for choosing outfits.
At your session, I will give you prompts and light posing instructions until your natural connections take over.
04
05
06
Gallery Delivery
My editing work starts
Gallery Expires
You will receive your gallery within 2 weeks of your session. Once you receive your gallery, you will be able to download them and print the images.
Your gallery will be active for 14 days. Please ensure you download your images and order your prints by the expiration date.
I will be going through the whole set of images taken during our session and culling the best of them and editing myself to give you your gorgeous images.
WHAT TO
expect
THE DAY OF OUR SESSION
Mini Sessions are best described as Short and Sweet. Our 20 minute session is ideal for families with young kiddos, or partners that hate photoshoots (we all know someone who hates photos). This is different from a full session, which tends to be more time, different scenarios on the location and/or outfit changes.
Make sure to arrive with plenty of time to find parking, if necessary, as well as to find me at the location. After we meet, all you need to be ready for is to have fun and enjoy your time together! If you like, you can a blanket (for any seated shots, or warmth). These are quick photoshoots in one location, but that doesnโt mean you canโt add in a quick shirt swap if needed or prop addition.
My style of photography can be described as natural and dynamic photography. I take a Lifestyle approach to capturing your images. At the session, you can expect some light prompting and natural posing from me.
BEFORE OUR SESSION
Before each session, I like to get to know the families briefly, learn everyone's names, and learn about what the children like to do. It is also important to know how their children behave in front of the camera. Some children really love the camera and others might not want anything to do with me. It is always helpful to know this information ahead of time, so I can be a match to the family's goals and expectations of their session. Details from your family will help me capture the connection and tell a story through images.
Mark the date of our session on your Calendar and share it with your family, this way everyone will know and will be prepared for it.
Look up where our session will take place, so you can plan ahead of time your trip. If the location needs an entrance ticket, I will provide the information where you can purchase it in advance for our session day.
MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SESSION
Tell your kids about the photoshoot well ahead of time. Let them know how much youโre looking forward to it and why your family is doing it. If youโre excited, theyโll definitely catch your enthusiasm!
Let your children be involved in the planning process. Help them pick out an outfit, either from their closet or at the store. When children feel they are taking part in the process, theyโre much more willing to participate.
just before
- Make sure children (and adults!) are well-fed and rested before the photo session.
ARRIVE EARLY
- Pack everything the night before.
- Iron/steam (if needed) all outfits the night before and have them laid out.
- Plan to arrive at least 20-30 min before our session schedule time.
what to bring?
- Water for hydration.
- Anything you can bring to help make sure your little kiddo is happy is a definite YES. Bringing along little treats as a reward is a great way to encourage positive behavior and make the experience fun for your child.
- Bring back up. A change of clothes, towels, plenty of snacks, water, diapers, etc. That way, even if the unexpected happens, youโll be ready for it!
tips for a
Lifestyle Family
Session
If you want to bring along a pet, I can absolutely take photos with your furry family member! I love animals, so for me, itโs a YES! We need to make sure the location of our session allows pets, so please let me know. I always suggest you have a friend come along to hold them and take care of them. I wonโt use the pet in every single photo, so itโs also nice to have someone available to hold them in between shots.
If you choose to bring a pet, bring your pet's favorite toy or treats! Depending on your petโs fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before. Look for a collar and leash to be discrete and try to coordinate along with the family's outfits.
managing
furry ones
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
season
DURING EACH
Weโll have a check during the week of your session to confirm the time & location and the weather. Let me know what works best for your family, but if the weather looks like it wonโt be great, I typically try to make the call at least 24 hours in advance.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
WHAT TO DO IF IT RAINS
What to
wear
I have some suggestions for outfits, but the single most important tip I can give you is ALWAYS place comfort at the top of your priority list. A comfortable child is a happy child! ๐
There are so many aspects to keep in mind when deciding what to wear for your family photos. Coordinating outfits for the family doesn't need to be difficult. Focus on accomplishing a cohesive look and dressing in outfits that will allow your photos to take a timeless feel.
Of course, the most important part of your family portrait is to document the love that your family shares. I'm here to help you with the rest. These family photo outfit ideas will allow you to get a one-of-a-kind portrait that has a close-knit family feel.
If youโre wondering what outfits to wear for your family session, you can look for some ideas on this Pinterest board I've curated with beautiful examples on what to wear for your family photo session.
Whether the vibe of your photoshoot is casual or creative, this board has a wide variety of ideas covering Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
when
to expect
your images
As soon as possible after your session is complete, I'll back up your images and begin the editing process. Unless I have a holiday closure (or if I am going to be out of the office), you can expect to receive your edited, digital images between 2 weeks after your session.
Bring Your Images to Life with
prints
Even if images are in digital form, it doesnโt mean they will stay solely like that. Just imagine the excitement you will feel when you look at your gallery for the first time on an online version, now with prints you will at least double that feeling. You can even print them in many formats depending on where you want them to be displayed or guarded for you and your family.
Images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured. Think about it, I bet your family still has images from your grandparents (maybe even great-grandparents.) I can tell you, I love taking out my own childhood albums and looking at them with my own family. Gather around with my kid grandparents and let them tell stories about those cherished moments with their grandchildren.
PRINTS AND WALL ART
albums
canvas
Easy to hang and easy to switch. Canvases are one of my favorite ways to decorate a space. They also work great on little easels placed around the home.
Framed and matted prints are the perfect way to fill your walls with memories. When you receive your online gallery you will also have access to a way to PRINT off your digital images from the print shop!
Perfect for those who value legacy. These heirloom albums are a great way to house a large number of images in a beautiful way. Leave them on display as coffee table books or protect them with a legacy box.
Details for ordering any of these and more, will be delivered with your gallery.
Let's create memories together
see you soon
I know that this guide is long, and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prepare for your mini session. However, if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation, feel free to email or text me.
Marianella