How to prepare for your session
"A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel."
—Peter Adams
Choosing a time and location
I am a natural light photographer, which means I don't usually use flash, so good lighting is a huge priority for all of my sessions (by the time I'm done with your session, you will be tired of me talking about the lighting!). I have taken courses to help educate me on finding the perfect light at any location you choose. You may have heard of the "golden hour" which is a photographers dream time for perfect lighting. That time is always right at sunrise or an hour before sunset so those are the times I would recommend we try to schedule your session. Mid-day is not the best for outdoor photography due to the sun being directly overhead and casting some bad shadows. If you absolutely need a mid-day session I promise I will do my best to make sure we get a good location to get the photos you are dreaming of, but we would have a lot more options in the morning and evening. As for location, if you have a space at your home or on public land you would like to go to, that is perfect! I can travel to you. My only recommendation is to try to stay away from busy places where there could be a lot of people in the background. If you have no ideas on where to go, I have done sessions around my home and on family owned land with lots of options for different backgrounds and we can discuss what would be the right place for you. I will never go on private property without permission from the owner and I will never go anywhere that is unsafe for you or myself. If animals will be included during your session I will make sure they are allowed wherever we are!
Styling tips
I know one of the most stressful things for you, the client, can be choosing what to wear for your session. One of the biggest tips I have is to choose clothes and footwear you will be comfortable in. I find that simple is usually easier and allows you to feel more relaxed during your session. If you don't normally wear tight dresses and heels, I suggest you don't wear that during your session because you won't feel natural in it. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible to make your time with me enjoyable. I also don't recommend wearing the same casual clothes you would normally wear for just going out running errands. Imagine you are going on a nice date with your significant other at a restaurant that is a little more on the fancy side (just not black-tie fancy). For colors, I recommend muted or earthy tones that complement each other and no bright or bold colors or patterns as those can sometimes be a bit distracting in the final photos. We will most likely be doing some walking during your session and the weather in our area can sometimes me unpredictable so keep that in mind. If you would like specific examples of colors that go well together or outfit ideas, please reach out to me for help. I am happy to give you my input to help make sure everything is perfect for your session!