Portrait Guide
So I’m booked in. Now what?!
No really... what do we wear?
This is the most common question I am asked! My main tip is to make sure you are comfortable and wear something that reflects you and your personal style.
There should be a focus on complementary tones, beautiful texture and simplicity so that YOU can shine in your photographs. Try to coordinate, but avoid being too matchy-matchy (the whole fam in white shirts and blue denim is so 90’s - unless you’re a Kardashian). Also try to avoid large brand names on clothing. These images will be in your family for generations to come - so it’s definitely worth putting some thought into what you might like to wear.
Say yes to
Pieces with movement
Fabrics with texture and details photograph beautifully
Complementary colours – start with a base piece and work off that, especially if it’s a patterned fabric. Draw from the colours in that and build out the whole family’s outfits.
Dress to suit your location or the vibe of your session. We do a bit of walking, and I’ll keep shooting during the movements, so make sure you are comfortable in and can sit in it as well as walk/stand. Note footwear to make you look comfy walking too!
Dress in something that makes you feel amazing! It will come through in your images.
Earthy colours work beautifully in the areas I normally shoot. Blues, greens, reds and blacks – not so much!
HOT TIP: Start with you. Choose YOUR outfit first, then choose complimenting outfits for everyone else! I love to throw all our outfits on the bed when I’m deciding between different options.
Where should we have our session?
If you’re after a beautiful ‘background’, I suggest choosing a location with a big open field, luscious garden, or somewhere the sunset will pop! Here is a list of regular places you can choose from (but we’re not limited to):
Australian Botanical Gardens, Kialla
Apple/pear orchards, Shepparton East
Dookie Quarry (usage fee)
Mount Major, Dookie (we can drive up)
Cactus Country, Strathmerton (usage fee)
Dubuque Bed and Breakfast, Numurkah (usage fee)
Modern Country Estate, Shepparton (usage fee)
Mitchelton Winery, Nagambie
Private property in North Shepparton with beautiful overgrown gardens
You can also decide to have your session in your own home and backyard. Majority of my newborn sessions are held in the home. If it is a warm day and you want to venture outside with your new baby, that is an option too!
What time will our session be?
In home sessions have a lot more flexibility for time (compared to outdoor sessions). Because we are indoors, it leaves us open to photograph at any time of the day. I usually schedule in-home lifestyle sessions for around 10am in the morning, or 1pm in the afternoon.
I always try to be flexible around kid nap times and your family’s routine, so feel free to let me know the time of day that suits you best. Happy babies/kids are my number one priority, so generally straight after their morning nap is a great time to begin our shoot!
If your session is outdoors, I strongly recommend choosing the hour before sunset. This is when you get those beautiful golden tones you see on this website! If there is no way you can make golden hour work, we can try for a very early morning session - if you’re up for it!
How do we prepare our house if our session is at home?
For most people (me especially), the thought of dressing multiple small humans and keeping them clean, for any amount of time is daunting enough, but then throw in the idea that the house be clean, too? Crap!!! Trust me, I get it. I don’t want this to be stressful for you, so here’s my tips to get your home “session ready”.
The main spaces I shoot in during a session are the master bedroom, the nursery if there is a newborn, and the main living area so these are the areas you should focus on when preparing for your session. I always suggest tidy and decluttered, but, please don’t go all Martha Stewart on me! The important thing is not to stress. I know every house has a junk room, and it’s perfectly ok to chuck it all in there - I promise I won’t look.
If you need some guidance you are more than welcome to send me through some images of your spaces for advice before your session. Ultimately I will only shoot in the areas with the best natural light and I will explain this more once I am in your home and can assess the light.
Don’t forget the bedspread! I almost always photograph my clients on the master bed, so it’s worth choosing a bedspread that compliments your outfit choices. If in doubt, go neutral!
What happens at the session?
When I arrive, I’ll become BFF’s with your kiddos and get familiar with the space, the light and plan for the session.
At every session I follow the lead of the youngest kid - eg. if there is a toddler running around, they are boss for the day. Older kids and adults tend to be a tad more flexible! I have a loose order in which I shoot but I will change that up if I need to. If we have a newborn involved, they take the lead of course. If they need to be fed, burped, changed - I’m here for it all!
I give direction and guidance to a point, such as positioning you in the best light, asking you to look at each other, set up games and cuddles etc but mostly I am just creating a space and opportunities for connections to happen naturally.
Most sessions take around 60-90 minutes (if there is a newborn included sometimes 1.5-2 hours).
How do we prepare ourselves for having photos?
What if my toddler is wearing his grumpy pants and our dog is tearing the sheets off the line?
FACT: all of these things happen! As a Mama to 3, I get it. I really do. I get that families are chaotic and messy and crazy and intense. Instead of fighting and trying to make everything appear perfect, let’s get real and just embrace it. While I always aim for a money shot (SMILLLLLLLLEEEEE) for you to send to the grandparents, my mission is to get the most natural photos of your family’s connection.
We will play games and get tickling to break the ice. You know your kids best, so feel free to talk to them about what they love, play their favourite games, tell them silly dad jokes, throw them up in the sky and give them lots of kisses and cuddles. I want this experience to be one you’ll all remember not just for the photos but in making them!
Some other tips
Feed the kids (and the men!) well before the session. No one enjoys themselves when they’re hangry!
Bring along some clean snacks for the kids in case they want a break. Grapes, pretzels, sultanas and crackers are all good options!
Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready so you don’t feel rushed later on when you’re getting the tribe in the car. Eliminating any stress will help you relax and enjoy the session to it’s full.
Get the kids excited by showing them any other family portraits you’ve had as a family, or when you were younger. This session is going to be a beautiful time spent together, so talk up how fun it will be!
Things to consider if you’ve booked a newborn session
My newborn sessions are very different from studio/posed newborn photography. It is more relaxed and free flowing with a focus on simplicity, connection and storytelling. I specialise in natural, honest, lifestyle newborn photography.
As soon as you are ready to pick up your phone, don’t forget to let me know you’ve had bub! I will roughly pencil in a date or two around your due date and once they have arrived can confirm this date with you looking at my calendar.
If you want sleepy newborn photos, then 6-12 days is an ideal time to book your session.
If you want more interactive photos with your babe’s personality shining, then any time up until 12 weeks is great for a newborn session. If you end up having them done later, we just alter the type of session slightly.
Have a couple of outfits handy for baby - just in case - poo explosions! And we can use a different option throughout your session if you’d like, including wrapped and unwrapped etc.
I have a stash of gorgeous blankets and wraps I can bring along, but I’m all for you using your heirloom knitted blankets and things from your household, that you can remember in years to come! Get out the special teddies, special outfits or booties for a cute pic if you have them.
I would normally time a new baby at home session to start 45 mins after the start of the feed time. This should give you enough time to feed, burp and get comfortable while I arrive and get organised, ready for a happy time together!
The session will be held in your home (or we can go exploring outdoors if the weather is warm enough).
Please don’t freak out thinking your house has to look perfect! My advice is to tidy 2-3 rooms that we’ll use (maybe your bedroom, the nursery, and the lounge). White bed covers are great, as they reflect white onto your face. You don’t need to go out and buy a new one, but if it’s a bright red bed cover you have then maybe we can just throw a white sheet over it, or you can borrow one!
I allow plenty of time for cuddle breaks and feeds, so we are never rushed. The best way to be ready on time is to get dressed yourselves 2 hours before I am due to arrive. This will allow you time to get baby fed at least an hour before I arrive, and then some time to relax beforehand.
What if it’s raining?
What if we’re sick/you’re sick?
If you’re sick, we reschedule! I want you all happy, bright and well for our photoshoot. I make a point not to photograph families, particularly those with new and young babies, if I have even the slightest hint of a cold.
Will you whiten my teeth/make me look skinnier?
Short answer, no. All of my photos are professionally and carefully edited to bring out the absolute best in colour and tone. All photos that you see on my website have been edited to my standard, and this is what you can expect when you receive your photos.
When can we expect a preview via social media?
I like to share sneak peeks of your session on social media within 7 days, where you can tag yourselves and share for friends and family to see (but am happy if you’d prefer me not to - just let me know at the session if this is your preference - I totally get it!).
You’ll receive your images via an online gallery to download from 4 - 6 weeks, sometimes earlier if it’s not during peak wedding/holiday season.
What’s the most important thing I need to remember?
So glad you asked. The most important thing you need to do during your session (and in life) is this: Slow down. Be present. Have fun with your babies. These photographs will serve as reminders of this time in your lives. Reminders that it’s the small things that count. Reminders to breathe in and hold the ones you love.
