What to expect
Hi! I’m so glad you’re here! Here’s a quick look at what you can expect when booking a session with me! Your session is intentionally unhurried and thoughtfully guided. You’ll never be left wondering what to do or how to pose; every movement is gently directed to feel natural, flattering, and authentic. There is no expectation of perfection, only presence. The most compelling images are created in the quiet, unguarded moments in between. For families and children, flexibility is embraced. Laughter, pauses, and natural interaction are welcomed, allowing the experience to feel organic rather than posed. The session unfolds at a comfortable pace, ensuring everyone feels relaxed and cared for. By the end of your time together, what once felt unfamiliar often feels effortless. My goal is for you to leave feeling confident, seen, and beautifully at ease.
Lighting is one of the most important parts of beautiful photos. I typically schedule sessions during or just before golden hour, the hour or so before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and flattering. For indoor sessions, I look for natural light and may guide you on the best setup to make your space look bright and timeless. If your location is mid-day I typically choose a location with lots of shade! A park or garden to avoid the harsh lighting.
Weather I always keep a close eye on the forecast. If weather conditions aren’t ideal (heavy rain, extreme wind, or unsafe temperatures), we’ll reschedule at not extra cost. Overcast days are actually great for photos, so don’t worry if it’s cloudy, soft clouds can create gorgeous, even lighting.
Location Guide
We’ll talk about what you love, barefoot walks on the beach, moss-covered trees, colorful downtown spots, or wide open fields where the kids can run free. I’ll take that vision and match it with locations I know inside and out. This isn’t just about picking a pretty place, it’s about choosing a location that feels like you. Somewhere that makes you comfortable, and brings out genuine emotion and lets your story shine.
If you’ve booked a beach session, get ready for an experience that’s as fun and unpredictable as the ocean itself. The beach isn’t a studio with perfect conditions… and that’s exactly why I love it. Here’s the truth: you will get sandy. Your hair might get wild. Some of the most beautiful moments happen when you stop worrying about looking perfect and just lean into the joy of the moment.
Bring a towel, and a change of clothes!
Outfit Planning
Once we’ve nailed down your session vibe and location, I’ll help you pull everything together. I’ll send over a style guide with tips on color palettes, textures, and what photographs best. And if you’re still unsure, just send me photos! I’m always happy to help you decide between outfits, give feedback, or even build a whole look around one favorite piece.
Whether you're going for coastal casual, boho and barefoot, dressy and romantic, or a cozy, laid-back feel, I’ll help make sure you feel confident, comfortable, and totally you in front of the camera. Some color palette ideas for your photoshoot with picture to help. I keep things soft and simple with no busy patterns, and no neon colors. Choosing 2-3 colors to build on, then add neutrals.
Reason for the season. Pair colors that complement each other, the surroundings and the time of year. Be comfortable in the outfits you pick out. I want YOU to love what you wear and it matches your personality.
Add different textures and natural fabrics, wool, cotton, and linen.
Hair & Makeup Tips
For makeup, soft and natural tends to photograph best. Neutral tones, defined lashes, and a matte or satin finish help prevent shine in photos. Even if you don’t normally wear much makeup, a bit of extra coverage, blush, and lip color can help your features stand out beautifully on camera.
For hair, think movement and polish. Soft waves, loose curls, or smooth styles all photograph well. Avoid styles that are too stiff or overly teased, and be mindful of flyaways, especially on breezy days.
Posing, Comfort & Capturing the Real Stuff
Almost every client tells me the same thing before their session:
“We’re so awkward in front of the camera.”
But here’s the truth, you’re not. You just haven’t had someone photograph you in a way that feels natural yet. My job isn’t to make you look like someone you’re not. It’s to gently guide you into moments where you can be yourselves, together. I’ll give you simple prompts, walk hand-in-hand, whisper something silly, hug them like you mean it, and the magic comes from what happens in between. The laughs, the soft looks, the hair blowing in the wind, the way your kids light up when they think no one’s watching.
Yes, I’ll give you direction when you need it. But I won’t make you freeze in stiff, forced poses either. Instead, I focus on movement, emotion, and connection. The things that make your story yours. If you have a Pinterest board full of dreamy poses or vibes you’re drawn to, send it my way! It gives me a glimpse into your vision, whether it’s moody and romantic, fun and carefree, or sweet and cozy.
Some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken weren’t planned at all, they were captured in the space between the poses. That’s where the real stuff lives. And that’s what we’re going to document together.
After Your Session, What Happens Next
Once your session is complete, the magic doesn’t stop there! Over the next few days, I’ll be working behind the scenes to carefully curate and edit your images. I’ll cull through everything to remove duplicates, blinks, and any moments I know you wouldn’t want, so what you receive is a beautiful, thoughtful gallery of your very best memories.
Sneak peeks are shared within 5 days because I know how hard it is to wait!
Your full gallery will be delivered in less than 3 weeks via email with a link to view and download your images.
A quick tip: please download your images directly to a computer rather than a phone when possible. This ensures you’re getting the full high-resolution files, not a compressed version like when you screenshot or save to your camera roll.
You'll also have access to a professional print store directly from your gallery. You’re more than welcome to print your images wherever you'd like, but prints ordered through my shop are fulfilled by a high-quality photo lab, meaning better color accuracy, sharpness, and long-lasting quality than you’ll get from places like CVS or Walmart.
And finally, if you loved your session, sharing a kind review or recommending me to a friend means the world. Truly. Small businesses grow through kind words, and I’m so grateful for every one.
