what to expect


on the day


If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve booked me to capture this amazingly special time in your lives. This is my jam, my bread and butter, my absolute passion. Thank you for trusting me.


Let me start out by saying, first of all, that your shoot is going to be awesome. 99% of the time the first 10 minutes of any photoshoot can feel a liltle awkward until you and your fam can relax into it and feel confident in front of the camera. I will help you guys do this! Trust me, I do it everyday. I'll always prompt and direct you and never ask you to do something that feels wrong or weird or leave you hanging with no idea what you should be doing next.


We’ll cycle through a few different prompts, but there will be lots of room for you to express yourselves too. It’ll feel like play – the perfect way to reconnect with each other in a time when most of us lead such busy lives.


I’ll be sure to provide you with specific directions to find the location (and me, if you don’t know what I look like) so you don’t get lost. I promise it will be fun and by the end of the session you'll be total pros in front of the camera. But my objective isn’t just to take pretty pictures – it’s to capture this exciting stage in your lives, exactly as it is now.

Timing


If you have time the day before the shoot, get all of your things ready and have them in the car so that in the morning of the shoot you and your family have some moments to unwind together doing something that you love. Give yourself lots of time to get to the location so you don’t feel frazzled and rushed on arrival. When a family shows up to a shoot having had to drive illegal speeds to get there, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganised session. Give yourself the gift of a relaxed session, allow plenty of time for showers, baths, grooming, and forgetting things.

when to shoot


In terms of when to shoot, I love to shoot when the sun is low in the sky (within 1-2 hours of sunset or sunrise) because the kind of natural light that fills the sky at this time makes everything look magical. I recommend adjusting kids schedules the day of the shoot (late naps) so we can shoot during these golden hours. If you're having an in-home session I like to shoot in the morning or afternoon for the best natural lighting in a home.

family


constellations


I’ll be sure to take some photos of you all as a family, as well as different combinations to capture all angles of the family dynamic. Let me know if there are specific combinations that you’d like to see captured and I’ll make sure to prioritise based on what’s most important to you guys. I’ve got tons of poses and prompts up my sleeve for any scenario, so all you have to do is relax and go with it!

so you want to bring your pup


They are part of the family, after all! If you’re arriving with your a four-legged-friend in tow, here are some things to consider first:


  • Make sure the location that we’ve chosen is dog-friendly.
  • Brush up on some commands and tricks to make sure they’re not having excited pee's or muddying anyone’s white pants during the shoot.
  • Get the zoomies out! Make sure they’ve had lots of outdoor exercise beforehand so that they’re calm and attentive when it’s go-time.
  • Pack their leash, treats and toys, and a lint roller.
  • Give ‘em a good brush beforehand!





Kids will be kids


If you walk away after reading this and only remember one thing, let it be this: have zero expectations.


Embrace what comes – the wind, the rain, the laughter, whatever unfolds. Every shoot is unique, and we have no set shot list to tick off on the day. It’s all about YOU and capturing your life exactly how it is on the day of your shoot. We’re not here to mimic the shiny perfect families you see on your feed, we’re here to tell your unique story as it shows up on the day of the shoot – laughter, tears, smiles and all. Throw your checklist out the window and know that magic will naturally unfold. When it does, I’ll be there to capture it. Although I will have a basic shoot list to make sure we get what you're looking for! Either way, I'll be there to capture you and the moments in between.


how to prep kids


In the leadup to the shoot, get the kids excited about what’s to come. Show them some photos that I’ve taken, let them know that you’re really excited, that we’ll be playing lots of fun games, and there might even be delicious snacks on offer. This brings me to my next point…


Bring snacks. Clean snacks (nothing sticky, melty, colorful, you get the idea!). There are lots of variables in family shoots that are beyond our control. When photographing kids, I’ve learned relatively quickly that every plan is contingent on their mood. But snacks are an almost entirely failsafe mood booster for the little ones (and lots of adults I know, too!). Packing a stash of treats to bust out right when the kids need that slice of motivation buys us a lot of precious time and cooperation!


Avoid having your child eat colorful foods that will stain their face, lips, fingers and/or tongue within 24 hours of the session. It might go without saying but ensure your children are well rested and fed.


If you wear them and the location calls for it, bring some jackets or hats or other items that reflect this time in your life. If your kids want to bring their favourite stuffed toy or wear their favourite rain boots, let them! Authenticity is in the details.

in-home or reschedule

Do you find it hard to get everyone dressed and fed and out of the house on time? Maybe you don’t have to! There is so much beauty in the everyday moments in a family home. From candid moments around the kitchen table, to rolling around in tickle fights on the bed, I am a huge fan of in-home sessions for the way they authentically capture a snippet of your family reality. When everyone is comfortable, snacks are on-hand, and the weather isn’t as much of a concern, we don’t have to worry about rainchecks or hangry kids and can focus on the good stuff of capturing memories for years to come. If we are planning an outdoor shoot, and the weather turns, think about having an indoor session instead!

In-home session tips


Move or hide clutter out of the rooms that will be used. Clear side tables by the master bed and in the living room. Basically move or hide anything you don't want in photos. Your house doesn't need to be spotless clean, just areas where the photos will be should be clutter less to make for timeless photos.


Open curtains/blinds on the windows and turn off all lights. We will photograph with only natural light and in rooms that have the best lighting.


If you can, send me photos of the rooms (master, kitchen, living room) during the time of day the photoshoot is booked for. This will help me prepare!



Newborn Prep

Turn the heat up, so babies comfortable and calm. If you have a space heater, it's a good idea to pull it out and heat up the nursery.


If you can feed baby just before I get there that's wonderful. If not, no worries, you may feed him while we get set up and plan out where we will photograph.



What to expect

When I get there, I will introduce myself to the kids (if there are siblings) and if they want to show me around that's great!! We will have a look around and scope out the areas with the best light. We will start with the baby photos in the crib, then move onto family photos, and do the siblings last. However, that's just a general plan. We will go with the flow of babies schedule, feed him when he's hungry, change him

when he's wet, etc. while also working around the siblings.


Think of a daily activity you do as a couple or family (work in the kitchen, story time, etc). We will incorporate a daily activity into your session of which I will document.