The Family Session Style Guide
Hey there, momma!
Whether we’re capturing your sweet family or celebrating a special milestone in your life like a graduation, birthday, or anniversary, I’m so honored to help you create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime! I created this Family Session Guide to help you prepare what to wear, choose your location, and calm some nerves about what to expect.
Let’s talk about how much fun we are going to have as we capture all the love in your family!
First Things First…
A Note To The Dads
I know — you may not be looking forward to having your picture taken for a couple of hours. That’s okay! My husband still asks 10 minutes in if we’re almost done haha. Let me take some pressure off…
The focus of this session is entirely on your wife & kids! I’ll get you to focus on silly things like twirling, snuggling, kissing, growling, and cracking those amazing dad jokes I know you have in you. All you need to do is simply show up & have fun!
What To Expect
Time of Day
Family Sessions usually take place in the late afternoon sunlight or three hours before sunset. That will give us two good hours of shooting time, including time to change outfits or locations.
How I’ll Direct You
I’ll guide you through the entire process as I capture a wide variety of images ranging from formal portraits to lifestyle images interacting with one another. I love creating an experience by asking you to do funny or intentional things that illicit an emotional response — if it feels weird, it’s probably because I know it looks great on camera! I’ll also keep an eye on your hair, makeup, and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
No People or Pet Limit
I’m all about making the most out of your images! If you ever want to piggyback your session onto an event like a birthday party — let’s go for it! I do not have people limits and highly encourage you to incorporate grandparents or pets into your session. We will save the pets for last to avoid unwanted hair in the images, and you may need to arrange their own transportation so they don’t sit in the car the whole time.
Choosing The Time of Year
I shoot most family sessions between April and late November, but sessions can take place any time of year! A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Spring Sessions
Fresh Flowers
Ideas include a family picnic around cherry blossom trees, taking a stroll at a local park, or walking down a riverbank collecting rocks and exploring! Include fresh flowers to add to the seasonal aesthetic!
Summer Sessions
Walks on the Beach
Summer is definitely known to bring the heat, so I suggest locations that can cool you off like a boat dock, walking on the beach, or a botanical garden.
Fall Session
Colorful Leaves
Fall is one of the busiest times of the year because everyone yearns for the beautifully colored leaves. Ideas include an apple orchard, a hike to an overlook or waterfall, or playing in the leaves..
Winter Session
Snowfall and Cozy Coats
Ideas include taking walks downtown to find pretty lights, fire pits with smores, or red dresses and snow-covered landscapes for that extra pop of color! Wearing lots of layers adds visual interest and warmth.
Choosing The Location
Your Family Session can take place at any location with great natural light. Most sessions are captured outdoors in open-air spaces, but cold-weather options could include a conservatory, wedding venue, or your own home.
Utilize Your Personal Network
From estates to lavender fields to apple picking and college campuses, the options for family session locations are endless! Maybe someone in your personal network can secure permission to a private estate, country club, resort, family ranch, hotel rooftop, boat, or airplane hangar. The sky’s the limit and you never know until you ask!
Think About Your Home Decor
If your home is decorated in chic, elegant decor, it may be fitting to take your family portraits among the classic architecture in a downtown area, while a local park or flower-filled fields may be more fitting for more rustic decor.
Make it Meaningful to You
The best locations are the ones that you already have memories at or things you enjoy doing together as a family. That way, when you look back at your images, you’re filled with tons of special memories to enjoy.
West Tennessee Locations
If your heart is set on multiple locations, please make sure they are within 10-15 minutes of driving of one another.
Destination Sessions & Travel Fees
While I take most of my family sessions in the West Tennessee area, I’ve photographed sessions everywhere from California to Florida to Washington. I charge $50 per hour outside my home of Paris, TN. For over 3 hours away, reach out for a custom quote.
Here are some of my destination locations:
What To Wear
2 Outfits Max
You can wear one or two outfits for your family session. Save your favorite outfit for later in the session when you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Some locations do not have a bathroom or changing station, so you may end up changing in your car.
Dress for the Location
Look at the background colors of the location you’re desiring. Make sure the colors you wear do not compete with the color tones in your backdrop. For example, bright pink wouldn’t look so great in front of a red brick wall or a green dress in a field of green grass.
The camera loves soft shades of pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather, and white. Please no neons as they will cast unwanted color on your skin.
Create Visual Interest
The magic behind styling your outfit starts with creating visual interest. This concept allows each individual personality to shine an also creates a coherent aesthetic for the whole group. Here are some of my top tricks to accomplish this:
Complementary Outfits — Choose outfits that complement each other rather than match. For example, if dad is wearing a navy, yellow, and white pastel plaid shirt, then you may want to choose a long, soft light blue dress and baby girl could wear a short white dress.
Mix up the bottoms — If one person is wearing jeans, let another wear khakis or a different color tone of jeans.
Mix up the hemlines — If you (mom) are wearing a sundress with the bottom at your midcalf, let your daughter wear an ankle or mid-thigh hemline.
Use patterns — Patterns are a great way to add visual interest, but make sure they don’t compete with one another. Dad could wear a checkered button-down while daughter could wear a floral pattern. Don’t have everyone in matching solids.
Use textures — If you have a hard time finding different colors or patterns, mix it up with textures. You could wear a soft tulle dress, while your daughter has on a linen dress!
Take a photo in b&w — Lay out your clothes prior to the session, take a photo, then convert it to black and white. If everything is the same shade of grey, mix up the colors, textures, or patterns.
Fashion Tips for Mom
You are the star of the show — so start with your outfit first!
Long, flowy dresses and skirts: These flatter every female body, which is why the red carpet is full of them! Heels lengthen legs to look great on camera but pack a pair of flats in between shoots if they’re uncomfortable.
Accessories: Statement necklaces, cute shoes, and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
Hair & Nails: Professionally done hair & makeup lasts longer and also tends to hold up better in humidity and wind! In case we reschedule for inclement weather, make sure you can reschedule your appointments too.
Where to Shop: Rent the Runway, ASOS, Morning Lavender, J. Crew, Anthropologie, Free People, Jamie Kay, Francesca’s, Jessakae, ModCloth, Shop Ruche, Hazel & Olive, Lulu's, H&M, Shabby Apple, Vici Dolls, Nordstrom, One Loved Babe, Arden, Filly Flair
Fashion Tips for Dad
Think of dad as more of the neutral background color that ties it all together (no offense, dad)!
The Best Fit: Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. Stay away from graphics and logos.
Layered Looks: Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when I say it’s worth the discomfort. Blazers, vests, and coats level up any look. If the temperature permits, he could add in a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Many guys love to mix in a suit coat, blazer, or sport coat with a different pant color. Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small.
The Details: Brown leather shoes complement almost every look. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests, and watches are sharp compliments to any outfit for men and boys alike.
Hair & Nails: Make sure your hairline is trimmed and your facial hair is maintained prior to the session. I may get close-up shots of you throwing your child in the air, and nothing is more distracting than a neckline full of hair!
Fashion Tips for the Kids
When choosing outfits for your children, here are some things to keep in mind:
Comfortability: You’re going to want your children to be comfortable. If they are itchy or the outfit doesn’t fit just right, make sure to have a backup in case it doesn’t last long!
Where to Shop: Alice & Ames, Hayden Girls, Zara, Joyfolie, Remie Girl, Hannah Anderson, Well Dressed Wolf, Shop James, Pebble and Pebble
How to Prepare
WEATHER, PROPS, POSING, DATE NIGHT
Inclement Weather
I’ll check in the week of your family session to confirm the time & location, as well as talk about the weather. If the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call to reschedule at least 12-24 hours in advance.
Props
I have a few props that I can bring like blankets, small stools, etc. But I love when my families bring their own as well! You may have an heirloom rocking chair or family quilt…or you may simply want to bring an activity like bubbles or a kite. The sky is the limit! It’s always fun to incorporate DOING things together as you will also make beautiful memories in the process!
Pack Essentials
As a mom, it’s always a good idea to pack a bag of essentials. This could include:
props like blankets, quilts, chairs, or rockers (I have a few, so always ask!)
flats for in-between locations
touch-up makeup/hair spray
water bottle or drinks
coats for chilly days
snacks, treats, and small eye-catching toys for toddlers
wipes/tissues for boogers
Real Clients
Want to see what others have done? Check out some of my actual clients’ Family Sessions!
Receiving Your Images
Your online gallery will be delivered via email with a link giving only you special permission to hide any images and share the gallery with others!
Inside the gallery is an integrated print store to make ordering print products a breeze! Plus — all gallery guests have a full print release to print your images anywhere you prefer. Need more info? Check out our Gallery Guide here.
Thank You!
That about sums it up! I can't wait to have so much fun together at your engagement session! If you have any questions or would just like to chat, I’m here for you! Text me here.
xoxo,