How to Prepare For Your Session

So you've finally done it!! You've booked a professional photographer for your portraits! Kudos! I know its an investment but its one that will last you a lifetime. And I promise your children will be so thankful to be able to look back at them and share them with their own children.. 

So now that you've booked, how do you prepare?
Well, to start lets talk about what to wear. It's always best to lay out a few outfits the night before and choose your favorite. Remember comfort! If you don't wear 9 inch heels on a daily basis, you may not want to start now. If you're uncomfortable, it will show in your images. And we want these to be the most fabulous photos EVER!

If its a family shoot, you do not all need to have the exact same identical outfits or colors. Though sometimes its nice. But just to keep the color in the same family will work great too. Earthy tones/colors for everyone... or pastels... just as long as no one person stands out. It would be bad if everyone is in light toned clothing and ONE person shows up in a black shirt. Guess who will stand out like a sore thumb?....lol. Solids are best. If you do a pattern... Be sure they're alike. Don't put stripes on Bobby and Polka Dots on Jane...lol. Even to have one person in a pattern with colors from the pattern being worn by others can work. (See image below)

Notice how the boys shirts pull colors right out of moms dress.

Now, I'm no fashionista so that's about all the advice I can give on what to wear. I can also say... for fall.. layers and bold colors and funky accessories on kids is just GREAT. If the kids can look like they stepped out of a Children's Place flyer, id be tickled pink!...lol.

You can follow me on Pinterest to see some clothing samples. http://pinterest.com/jmpny/

 And Sometimes.. wearing NOTHING is just as fun!!!

Some helpful Do's...

• Get your hair and makeup done. This is a great one! Who doesn't want to be pampered. No better reason than now. If you can do it on your own.. even better. Just be sure to have your best face on and hair looking gorgeous. You're putting a lot into these images, you want to look your absolute best when a 30x40 family photo is hanging in your living room. 
• Get a mani/pedi! Yes, more pampering! (Don't worry guys.. I wont tell her to get a massage next... but you can get that for her to make it extra special if you wish.) But you'll want your nails to look great... you never know when ill be taking a shot of hands or feet. Especially on the beach!
• Bug spray!!! If its summer and you're shooting outdoors, wear it! (I wish I followed my own advice here...lol)
• For sessions on the beach, bring baby powder. Best way to get sand off in a instant!
• Bribery! Yes, I said it. Bring a small bribery snack for any child who may have a hard time. It will be the last resort but it may help get the shot. Just don't make it an entire sandwich as that would not be ideal....lol. M&M's, Gerber puffs, cheerios and other small snacks are best.

Important Don't's!

• Don't be late. Your photographers time is valuable and they may have a session right after you. So if your shoot is from 6-7 and you get there at 6:45, be prepared for a 15 minute shoot. And its always great to call if you're running late as most of the time they may be able to accommodate you.
• Don't bring hungry children. Kids cooperate much better with full tummies AND after naps. So be sure that they're full and rested.
• If a child is not cooperating, please do not get upset at the child. It will only make the mood worse and chances are the photographer is getting the shots they need anyhow.
• Please be sure not to take any photos during the session with cell phones or any other cameras. Not only will it be confusing for the child but chances are the very second the photographer gets the child to LOOK at him/her, they will be looking at the other camera instead.
• Don't show up in old t-shirts. It seems this would be a given but a lot of time and effort is being put into the session. So even if it was a gift from someone else, or you won it.... please be sure to dress nicely.

 Now, I may have left some things out so any photographers that would like to add to this, please leave a comment with your DO or DON'T below.

Now go make some memories!

http://www.jmpny.com