Preparing for your Photoshoot
This guide is to help you prepare for a photoshoot with me so that you know what to expect, and will hopefully answer any questions that you may have.
In home sessions
For in home photoshoots, if you know the brightest times of day for the main rooms in your house - living room / master bedroom / nursery, then we can decide a suitable time to hold the shoot from that bearing in mind nap times / feeding times etc. I will ask for a quick tour of the house when I arrive, so that I can scout out the best rooms for light.
On location
For outdoor shoots, we will have arranged a time and place to meet. Please be ready to start on time so that we can make the most of our time together.
I'll check the forecast a few days before your shoot and will get in touch if I feel we need to shuffle our timings a little. However if the forecast is for consistent heavy rain we will re-schedule.
Your Children
It is best if we just give the children time to relax and try to capture their natural selves. Please prepare your children for the session by letting them know that a friend will be taking some photos of them. Please don't worry if your child is running about and being silly, I run after them and capture their personalities best that way! My tactic is to let them have fun, and the rest will follow suit :)
To get the most out of your session, please make sure that your children are rested and have had adequate snacks and water beforehand. We can take breaks for snacks and play if necessary, however I will probably still shoot during the breaks. Bring dry, non messy snacks so their little faces stay clean during the session.
What to wear:
I’m all about capturing authentic photos for you - and I want to celebrate you and your individual style. I just ask that your clothes:
Have no large logos
Have neutral or compatible tones when put together - a mix of 3 colours works well
Avoid multiple patterns within your family
Are comfortable and not a new style that you or your children are not comfortable wearing
Includes comfortable shoes, free of logos (bare feet and neutral socks for indoor shoots)
Nails - I love using hands in my photos, especially with bumps and newborns. If you have time, treat yourself to a quick natural polish!
MUM'S THE WORD
In a family photoshoot, I find that mum's clothes are often the most important. You need to feel happy and comfortable in what you're wearing, so choose something that you feel confident in, both standing and sitting, and build everyone else’s outfits around that...
Brands
By choosing the right clothes, you’ll ensure your branding photos reflect who you are and connect with your audience.
For small brands, it's important to reflect your brand's style. Whether your brand is playful or minimalist, your clothes should match that. Comfort is key, so choose outfits that fit well and make you feel confident. Layering can add depth and interest to your look, but avoid overly trendy pieces that might date your photos quickly. If your brand has specific colours or a logo, incorporate them subtly into your wardrobe. For a balanced look, mix casual pieces with more polished items, and add personal touches, like unique accessories, to make the look your own.
For corporate clients, the focus is on professionalism and polished, timeless styles. Tailored suits, blazers, and neutral colours like navy, black, and grey help project authority and competence. Choose high-quality fabrics like wool or cotton that hold their shape in photos. Stick to classic cuts, such as a well-fitted blazer or pencil skirt, and avoid loud patterns that could distract from your face. Make sure your clothes fit properly, as a tailored look creates a sharp, professional image. Limit visible logos to maintain a clean, corporate feel, and keep accessories minimal and elegant.
Further guidance on wardrobe if you're unsure:
KNOW YOUR STYLE
I often say to go for light neutral colours as they allow your beautiful faces to stand out. However if you are a lover colour - wear colour! This is your shoot! Just consider how you will all look together and ideally make it casual - the clothes that work the best are when they don't look forced, but just like natural choices for the activity that you're doing. If mum is wearing a floaty dress and sandals, Dad can match in with a crisp shirt and shorts. Try to visualise how you see the pictures turning out, and dress accordingly.
CO-ORDINATE, DON'T MATCH
Twinning outfits have had their time! Pick a few colours that you will all wear, and have different people wearing different amounts of it - for example, you could wear a coral dress with a blue necklace to bring in your little boy's blue shorts and a bit of coral on your baby girl's white outfit, etc Try not to have too many contrasting patterns. One person wearing a pattern in the shoot is normally enough.
NO LOGO
No big logos or fluorescent sports shirts - this is key - anything with writing or big pictures detracts from the subject (ie you guys!) and also dates quickly…
MOST IMPORTANT TIP
Be yourself! If you don't usually wear dressy clothing, don't. If your daughter hates dresses, don't put her in a dress. If your son can't stand wearing button down shirts, don't put him in one. If you are a sporty family, dress sporty. You can find clothing that fits your style that is clean, nice, and comfortable. Wear what makes you all happy and comfortable and what feels right for your family.
LASTLY
If you’re struggling - please give me a shout! I’m always happy to cast an eye and offer advice on your choices!
After your Shoot
Once your session is complete, I'll get to work on carefully selecting and editing the best images, and your gallery will be ready within 3 weeks. Once they're ready, I'll be in touch with the link to your slideshow.
When you're ready to click the slideshow link, I encourage you to make an event of it! Seeing your photos together for the first time is the best feeling! Sync it up on your tv or a large computer screen and gather the whole family around (sound up!) to watch your own family movie!
Your slideshow will be available for 24 hours or until you purchase your collection - whichever comes first. Once you've selected and paid for your collection, your gallery will open up and be available for thirty days for you to download the number of files that corresponds with your collection.
Downloading your files:
Once you have chosen and purchased your images, I would encourage you to download immediately. The process is simple: select the images and use the down arrow in the upper right corner of your gallery - click on that and the system will walk you through the download process. The images will download as a zip file, which you can double-click on to expand. I suggest you make a second copy of the expanded files, then save the two copies to two different locations - I generally recommend that one copy be saved to an easily accessible drive (either on your computer or on an external hard drive), and that the other get saved to the cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).
Copyright:
Once you have your digital files in hand, you are free to print them when, where, and as often as you wish - you can use them to make cards, calendars, share on your social media pages etc - if you credit me, I’ll love you forever! The only things you can't do are related to the resale of your photos or use for commercial/business purposes. For instance, if you authored a book, you'd need additional permission to use one of the photos on the dust jacket, and you wouldn't be able to enter one of the photos into a contest and win prize money for it. Otherwise, you've got free reign.
Printing your images:
While you're welcome to print your photos wherever you like, I also offer a streamlined, high-quality printing service for those who want the best results.
Included in every image package is a voucher for my Print Shop, making it easy to select and order your favourite images directly from your gallery. I’ve partnered with leading suppliers who use the best materials, ensuring your prints stay vibrant and true to life for years to come. Plus, my equipment is calibrated with these labs, so you can be sure your prints will look exactly as they’re meant to, capturing all the richness and detail you remember.
Simply pick your favourite images from the shop section of your gallery, choose the prints you’d like, enter your voucher code at checkout, and sit back as your beautifully printed images arrive, ready to hang and enjoy.