Preparing for Your Child Portrait Session

I am so happy that you have chosen me to capture memories for you. It is such an honor, and I can't wait to have fun with you.

In this guide, I'm sharing with you what to expect before, during, and after your session. I've also thrown in a few tips to help you prepare.

7 year old girl in a white lace and tulle dress with her long brown hair draped around the front of her, her hands placed on her lap, and she is looking off with a stoic expression for a portrait.

BEFORE YOUR SESSION

Want to Chat?

I would love to answer any specific questions you have about the experience, so if you have any questions after reading through this prep guide, please don’t hesitate to email or call me. If you would like to book a pre-session consultation with me to see the studio and the options available to you, just let me know.

Leading Up to Your Session

DON’T CHANGE THEIR HAIR TOO DRASTICALLY. Have their hair cut or trimmed a week or two before your session. If your hairstylist makes a mistake, that gives their hair time to grow a little. If you want to try a totally new look, wait until after pictures.
Try to avoid SUNBURNS and TAN LINES. These can show up in photos (unless their clothes are going to cover them). Use sunscreen and/or limit time in the sun during the days and weeks leading up to your session. If you have an older child who chooses to get a spray tan, have them do so a few days before in case it's too intense.
Iron or steam your outfits.

Choose the Outfits

Make sure the clothes fit and your child is comfortable in them. They should be able to stand, sit, lie down, squat, and jump in their outfit easily.

Classic never fails. If you never want the images on your wall to be outdated, go for classic or formal attire.

Girls

Heirloom dresses, rompers, boho dresses
Longer dresses photograph best
Make sure to have bloomers or shorts underneath
Optional accessories are small bows or barrettes, headbands, and floral, pearl, or diamond halos
Shoes are optional, but I actually prefer girls to be barefoot. Shoes can take away from the softness of their portrait. If you choose to include shoes, go for syles like Mary Janes, ballet flats, or simple sandals.

Boys

Button downs, polos, henleys
Khakis, nice jeans, overalls
Optional accessories are hats, suspenders, or vests
Shoes are optional. If you choose to include them, go for neutral solids in styles like Vans, Sperrys, loafers, or Oxfords.

Siblings

Siblings don't have to match. The only time I think it looks good for them to have the same outfits is if they are in heirloom attire. Coordinating outfits is what you want to look for. Choose 2-4 colors that go well together.

Colors

When choosing a color, keep in mind your home decor in case you display your images. If everything in your house is neutral, a print with a red dress won't look so good.
Neutral colors stand the test of time.
Solids, textures, or minimal prints are best. Busy prints, giant logos, and cartoons can be distracting.

Colors to Avoid

Yellow : Opt for ivory or cream.

Red: Opt for burgundy or mauve.

Hot pink: Opt for rose, mauve, or soft pink.

Orange: Opt for peach or rust.

Purple: Opt for mauve or burgundy.

These are colors that photograph well:

Toddler sister and brother standing belly to belly and embracing while smiling at the camera. She has blonde hair and he has brown. She is wearing a white dress and he has a white shirt and khaki shorts. They are standing on a gray backdrop.

The Day of Your Session

Six year old girl with long brown hair wearing a long peach silk dress. She is lying on her belly on a white bench with a beige cushion and leaning her head on her hand on the arm that is propped up on the bench as she grins at the camera.

Make sure teeth are brushed.
Make sure hair is brushed.
Check fingernails - and toenails if they will be visible. They need to be clean. Sounds obvious, but sometimes they're overlooked and it shows in the photos. Girls don't need to have polished nails (I'd actually advise against it), but they should be manicured, clean, and free of chipped polish.
Check faces for food, boogs, marker, etc.
Check arms, hands, and legs for dirt, marker, stickers, tatoos, etc.
Take off anything on wrists that won't be worn during the shoot long before your session starts. You don't want indentions in their arm from hair ties or watches.
Empty pockets.
MOISTURIZE. Face. Arms. Hands. Elbows. Legs. Feet. Everything.

DURING THE SESSION

We will take some time to get acquainted and let your child get used to their surroundings.

If your child needs to change into the session outfit, he/she can do that in the restroom.

If there's a type of music that would help set the mood for your kiddo, let's play it. That Alexa is almost always on in the studio. If you let me know ahead of time, I'll have it rolling when you get here!

What if they don't act right?

Don't worry about how your child will act or if they will smile. Give them room to get used to me and feel how they feel...crazy, grumpy, shy, loud, quiet, silly. Just let them be.

Some of the best photos I capture are when kids are allowed to just be themselves.

Try to avoid pressuring or punishing them during the shoot.

I know it's hard, but don't bark at them to smile or smile better or to look at me.

The best way to get the worst smile is to ask them to smile.

I will let them know what I want, and sometimes that includes not looking at me at all.

I will often suggest that parents are out of sight if the child is old enough so they don't feel the parent pressure.

We have to allow them space to feel safe and let their personality come out.

Give it time, and we will get those images you want.

How long will my session last?

That really just depends on your child. It can take as little as 20 minutes or as long as the full hour, but usually somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes.

7 year old girl in a black dress and gray hat. She is standing on a gray backdrop with one hand on her hip and the other on the top of her hat and has a laughing expression.

An 8 year old boy wearing a gray sweater and jeans sitting on a step stool on a gray backdrop. He is slightly leaned over with his forearms propped on his knees and his fingers all touching as he has a slight grin.

AFTER YOUR SESSION

This is where the magic happens, and honestly where the majority of my time is spent. During this time, I will select the best images from your session and working on creating your final images for your gallery. Turnaround time for your gallery can be up to 4 weeks. I know it’s hard to wait, but you might catch a few peeks while I’m editing in my stories on Facebook and Instagram. So, make sure you’re following me!

Retouching

My editing style includes making everyone's skin look lovely. I will automatically provide wrinkle smoothing and remove any scratches, blemishes, and bruises. However, I will only remove scars, birthmarks, and things of the like if I am asked. So please let me know if you have a request.

Gallery Delivery

Your gallery will be delivered to you through a link I will send you in an email. There you will be able to view your images and have the option to purchase fine art prints, a signature heirloom album, and/or a digital collection. You of course can order your prints elsewhere, but stay away from convenience store photo labs like Walgreens. They have very poor quality and are not usually accurate or consistent in their color.