Strawberry Blonde Photography

I have been photographing families for almost 15 years. Although I often hesitate to call myself a “professional photographer”, I do have a few helpful tips that I would love to share.

The first thing to consider is the style of the photographer that you are hoping to book a session with. Do their portfolio images align with the images that you are dreaming of for your family? Many photographers enjoy creative projects outside of their typical work, but its also possible that your vision may be outside of their capabilities. So, take the time to really look over the photographers website to get a feel for the type of images they produce to make sure that you get the portraits you want.

You should also confirm your budget and the pricing. I realize that pricing can vary greatly among photographers and because of that you are sure to be able to find a photographer that will fit your personal budget. Typically, business owners price their work according to their level of experience, the investment they have in their equipment, their education and the overhead cost of doing business. Confirm pricing before the session so there is no confusion and remember that if you choose a photographer who is running a legitimate, licensed business you’re gonna need to add sales tax.

So you have your photographer, whats next? I’d say you need to pick your date and location. Some people have locations that are special to them and some people are just happy to go to the most convenient location. I have a post here with some of my favorite locations in the CSRA that you can check out if you’d like to, but always check the locations calendar or events page just to make sure that you’ll have plenty of space for your session. Showing up to take portraits in downtown Augusta on the day of a big marathon or parade would be a total bummer! Next, pick a date that works for you and your photographer but remember to have a few backup dates in mind because your photographer can make a lot of magic but they can’t control the weather.

Next, you’ll want to choose your clothing. My first bit of advice is always to think about your goal for the final portraits in to determine your color palette. Do you want a large print to put in your formal dining room? If so, choose complimentary colors that will go well in that room. If you want a crazy fun portrait for a wall in the play room, feel free to choose bright colors and fun patterns! In general, I always recommend sticking with colors that you love. If you are a color loving person like I am, choose a favorite color theme and tie the other outfits in with that color. Add a few pops of complimentary color to the other outfits for fun. If you are a person who loves soft and simple, stick with that. Its great to mix a bold print, a soft print and some solids. As for the patterns, try to limit one or two outfits to patterns and keep the others more simple with a touch of color from an accessory. The final portraits should be a representative of your family and style.

I typically start with one patterned outfit that I love, usually it’s my dress or top and I work from there adding solid colors for the other family members or maybe a simple coordinating pattern for my girls. If you want something slimming, its always simple to add a cardigan or vest. Try to stay away from stripes if possible and if you have little ones in dresses, don’t forget bloomers. Choose clothing that feels true to who you are and captures your personality without drawing so much attention to yourself that people don’t notice anyone else in the photo. If you have a child that has a pair of favorite sparkly shoes or a favorite bracelet, those sweet little keepsakes in the photo will be a treasured reminder of that season forever.

Lastly, make sure to take a good look in the mirror right before your session. Check your kiddos’ faces and noses, a good wipe down with a baby wipe is always helpful because you cant imagine how many hours of my life I have spent making little eye marks and food crumbs disappear in photoshop.i

I have also found that incentives produce better smiles than threats so if you wanna take the fam for a treat after the session, that gives everyone a reason to cooperate. Remember to relax and enjoy the session, don’t stress about any little hiccups or trying to get everything perfect, you’re making memories in the process of creating a portrait.