Family Sessions

You’re ready to book your family session, but you have some questions!

Location.

Family sessions are available in-home or outdoors. Both are great options and provide such a different vibe for your session! I will always have a few suggestions, however, I love shooting at locations that mean something to you and your family - whether that be the park that you spend your weekends at, your backyard, or a favourite fishing hole!

OUTDOOR SESSIONS

Outdoor sessions typically take place at sunset or sunrise. Shooting at sunset or sunrise provides that gorgeous light soft and dreamy light. In the summer, sunset can often be quite late for families with young kiddos, so nap times may need to be adjusted.

INDOOR SESSIONS

If we are photographing your family in your home, we usually start around 10 am but the timing is a bit flexible. We often times can grab some images outdoors too. I  don’t expect a spotless home, but I do recommend tidying and decluttering 2-3 rooms. I will move things if needed on the day of the session! If there are activities you want to capture, such as reading to your little one, baking cookies, or dancing in the kitchen, please let me know!

CONSIDERATIONS

Plan to arrive early and be ready to start your session. Sessions are scheduled according to the light so please plan for traffic, touchups, etc. If we are often shooting in tall grass or fields that may contain bugs, please apply or bring bug spray for your family.  If you prefer to avoid tall grass, let me know prior to picking a location!

What to Wear.

Wardrobe is such an important part of your family session! I always recommend that mom finds something she feels amazing in, then work the rest of the family off of that!

Keep In Mind

  • Color Palette: The easiest place to start is to choose a color palette for your outfits. When you’re putting together the outfits for your family, you want to think about coordinating complementary colors and pieces, not “matched” outfits. For example, make sure you’re not all wearing blue tops. I want each of you to shine individually, while still forming a cohesive unit. The colors that will stand out best are muted earthy tones. Some examples are: mustard yellow, mauve-pink, browns or khaki, dark blue, hunter green, dark reds/oranges. Also consider the room in which you’ll hang your photos!

  • Weather: Dressing for the temperature outside is so important! If your kids are cold and miserable that will not photograph well. Embrace the cold with layers and cute accessories

  • Comfort: As we’ll be moving around lots on our adventure, make sure everyone is comfy! You’ll want to avoid outfits that are too itchy or tight.

  • Layers & Textures: The key is to integrate a variety of layers and textures to keep outfits from looking too similar to bland. Mix shirt styles, shorts and long pants, dresses and skirts in different fabrics (i.e. lace, corduroy, denim, chunky knits). Pay attention to your shoes and jewelry choices. Add a pop of colour to your necklace to match the plain in your son’s shirt or daughter’s dress. Your goal is to create a pulled-together, coordinated look that’s natural without being overly “matchy”.

  • Accessories: Hats, scarves, jewelry, blankets, headbands, suspenders, etc. All these things are a great way to add another layer of your style into your session.

  • Make it Your Own: this session is about your family! And it's so important to make sure that everyone's personality shines through!

What to Avoid

  • Avoid neon/bright colours

  • Giant Logos

  • Overly large bows or accessories on babies

  • Matchy-matchy outfits: having different colours, patterns, textures, etc is super important to create interest in your family's images. Think COORDINATING, not matching

What to Expect.

Connection NOT perfection

This session is about capturing all of you as you connect as a family for a few moments, away from the chaos and noise and busyness of your life.  We are catching this moment in time for your family, whatever it authentically is.  Not perfection, just you!

It’s not my mission to have your child sit up straight or say “cheese” with a fake smile. It’s my job to capture your beautiful, perfect child for exactly who they are at this point in their life. It’s best if we just give the children time to relax and try to capture their natural selves. Don’t worry if your child is running about and active; most of the images you see of young children on my site were captured while the child was busy playing or exploring.

Some children take some time to warm up and some are ready to go! I am more than happy to give a shy child the time that they need. Some children want to held by mom the whole time and that is perfectly ok too!

I will do my very best to make the session relaxed and fun for everyone so that smiles are not a rarity and your kids’ true selves shine through. Trust me when I say, the chaos brings emotion and movement to your images. I will guide you and your family in poses but it also ok for you to just be natural with your spouse and children. Sing, talk, or play with family just as you would if I was not present

While I will ask you to look at me, most of the time I will ask you to look at each other and enjoy being with each other.  Really look at your kids and your partner and see in them what makes you love them! Parents, unless I ask you to look at me, just look at your kids! We will be standing up, sitting down, laying down, tickling, hugging, kissing, snuggling and maybe singing and dancing, jumping and running. Low stress!

The Pep Talk

The week or two before your session, start bringing up family photos in conversations. Talk about me, the photographer lady, Chelsea or your friend. Tell your kids all about the adventure that lies ahead and all the fun that they will have. I’ll spend some time getting to know your kids before I bring out the camera so they’ll feel a bit more comfortable! Sessions are fairly quick 45-60 and I will get a tonne of images in that time!

  • Rest Up! Have a chill relaxing day prior to the session

  • If your session is past your child’s normal bedtime, schedule a nap later in the afternoon

  • Make sure everyone comes fed and not hangry! If you bring snacks to the session, dry, mess-free snacks so their faces and hands stay clean.Do not bring snacks that will stain (blue/red/green loli’s etc).

  • Bribery? As much fun and low stress as my family sessions are, sometimes kids just aren’t into it. Have a bribe or two in your back pocket, just in case - Ice cream is always a favourite!

What About Dad?

Family photos are not a favourite for Dad’s. Tell him we’re going on an adventure too! All he has to do is relax, have fun, and connect with his family. There’s really no pressure!

FAQs

When will we get to see our photos?

I will have your gallery to you within 2-3 weeks of your session. Images are delivered via an online gallery where you can download high-resolution photos. You can also order prints & canvases through my site. Galleries are available for 30 days from your session date, so please ensure you download all your images following your session!

Do you use Props?

No, I do not use props. I’ll often bring a blanket for when you’re sitting, but nothing else! I usually have a grey or brown blanket, however, if there’s something specific you’d like to sit on, please bring it!

What happens if we need to reschedule?

You’ll receive a full contract that will explain my rescheduling/cancellation policy.

Can you trim my waist or remove ‘xyz’ from my face?

Because I typically deliver very large galleries, I do not do any photoshop, body alterations or retouching. My edits include lighting, cropping and colour alterations. Make sure you choose outfits that you feel confident in and remember that you are beautiful just as you are!

How do you communicate with us?

Email! I may take 24-48 hours to get back to you. If it’s an urgent and important question, I’ll do my best to get back ASAP! I’ll also send you my cell number a day or two before the session in case there are any issues finding the location, etc.

Can we bring our dog/pet to our session?

Heck yes! They are apart of your family, please do bring them!

What about the weather?

As we know, weather changes very quickly and summer storms are inevitable. I will touch base with you about the weather one day before the session if it looks like we could have rain/snow/extreme cold/etc. Generally, unless it is raining at the time of our session, we will go forward. I will bring plastic to go under the blanket to try to keep you dry, but expect to get a little wet and muddy if it’s been a wet week!

How are our images backed-up?

During the session, your images or saved on 2 camera cards at the same time. Once I get home, I back-up your images to 2 separate external hard drives. Your images are stored for up-to a year. PLEASE BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD & SAVE YOUR IMAGES TO 2 LOCATIONS!