- Uncategorized
- January 1, 2022
These 5 Tips Will Prepare you for your Session
You’ve booked your photographer (or me), and cant wait for the day. However, apart from getting dressed the day of, getting glammed up if that’s you’re thing, how else can you prepare for your session to ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish?
1. Pick your Outfit(s) Early.
This can be one that sneaks up on anyone, especially when you have other people to coordinate, it can be difficult to get everyone in complimentary outfits that look and feel cohesive. I always suggest picking a color palette to start with and to layer accessories or additional pieces from there. Last note on wardrobe, don’t forget about the footwear! All too often I have seen where maybe a family has everyone in dress shoes and one person didn’t have them and they can more or less stick out for this reason.
Also – I love to remind people if they plan on printing their photography to display in their home, to often draw from how they decorate or how they would like these pieces to look or compliment their home.
Depending on where your session will take place (indoor, outdoor), you may either want to blend into the environment (neutral tones, earthy tones), or maybe you want to stand out and do a complimentary color palette.
Most importantly – wear something you will feel comfortable in!
This is something most photographers will help their clients with, and I invite any client of mine to reach out if they need help or just want to bounce ideas off me.
2. Arrive to your Session Early.
Arriving early will ensure that the time you do have will be spent to it’s fullest, with guided prompts and clicks from the camera. Not only that, but it will ensure you aren’t feeling rushed, which can lead to the session not being as relaxed and fun as it could be, to bring out those feel good smiles. And don’t get me started on the kids – if you have young kids and you are rushing, more often than not in my experience, smiles are more forced and they don’t participate as long!
I always arrive a few minutes early to a session, it gives me time to review any details you’ve provided me, and get some inspiration for new things to try.
3. Prepare Everyone for the Session.
You’ve booked your session, however more often than not, not everyone is going to be as excited for the session you just booked like you are. I’ve seen children (an obvious one), husbands (my own included), a new fiancé, seniors, you name it, that just aren’t comfortable with a stranger or let alone a camera in their face.
For kids – you could incentivize them with an ice cream date afterwards, or a playdate with their friends to reward them for their good behavior.
For clients of mine to put everyone at ease, I always strive for a casual and fun experience. I will give everyone guided prompts to pose groups or individuals, so it doesn’t always feel so quiet, awkward, and stiff. You won’t have to hold still holding that phony smile for 5 seconds straight… and with this approach, I’ve been able to get kids and adults alike to come around and enjoy the photography experience.
4. Weather.
Here in Wyoming we can see 100 degree temperature swings, high winds, you name it. For that reason I always like to remind everyone of the time of year, or time of day to help guide an approach to outfits, length of session, or type of location (indoor vs. outdoor).
If it’s summer and quite hot out, I like to remind clients to bring water, dress in lighter fabrics, and I will even ask if they would like insect repellent if mosquitos are hot and heavy.
For winter, I often bring hand warmers, and will advise clients to leave their car running if it is nearby to quickly warm up when needed. Depending on the client, I’ll recommend delicious hot chocolate or a shot of whiskey to warm the lips and soul.
I’m always monitoring the weather for outdoor sessions and touch base with clients before a session to let them know I’m thinking of them and am prepared for it all.
5. Props.
Props can help someone bring out personality in their session. For a senior maybe its something from a hobby they enjoy or an extra curricular they are apart of. For a family, maybe it’s their family dog. For a newly engaged couple, maybe its something with the date of their wedding on it for an announcement. Props can certainly help tell a story in front of the camera.
Dogs. This will be the one I pull out and talk about. I’m a dog person, and we have one ourselves (his name is Miles). I want Fido to come to the session! However, if you can bring someone to your session to help handle your dog when he will not be in front of the camera, or if they are well mannered enough to wait it out in the car that can work too. Strategizing this beforehand is key. You don’t want Fido chasing ducks and stressing everyone out during the session.
I hope you enjoyed reading through some of my ways to prepare and strategize for your session. Working with me, you will find that your pre-shoot consult that comes with every session handles every aspect of your session and provides you with any questions you have, and answers to the questions I have.
-Sarah
