What to Expect

I specialize in timeless, true-to-color portraits, not fake-over edited portraits!! I love to mix interactive and traditional posing in our sessions. I want to see your beautiful, smiling faces, and I also want to capture the love and emotion that you feel for each other. It could be in the most natural environment possible-your home, or at the location of your choice! I absolutely ADORE doing sessions either mid-morning or 2 hours prior to sunset for the most soft, glowing light that those times provide to make the most spectacular portraits!

Your Session Flow

I always start my sessions with a "smiling at the camera picture" before moving on to more interactive poses and prompts. I'll always prompt and direct you--but never ask you do to anything that feels wrong or leaves you hanging with no idea what you should be doing next. The objective isn't just to take pretty pictures, but to capture this stage of your life, exactly as it is. Most of my sessions last about an an hour, but if they take longer that's fine too!

Couples and Families

Don't hold back...be you! This may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s tough to really commit to. I want you to set the tone and mood of the shoot, not what you think a session should look like. Are you silly? Or are you introverted? I want to capture all those little moments you might otherwise consider the “outtakes.” Don’t act like you think you should, I want to capture you as you are. Dress like yourself...dress comfortably, don’t feel like you need to “dress up.” I find that people feel most comfortable being themselves when they are dressed comfortably. If you are feeling fancy, go for it! Wear those long flowing dresses, heels, scarves and hats!! If you want to be relaxed in jeans - that works too! Just be comfortable in YOUR style!

Forget the "photoshoot" part: You’re not there for me. I’m there for you: to document your love & laughter. The objective isn’t just to take pretty pictures, it's to capture this stage of your life while spending time together. It's very likely that the last time you got your picture taken “professionally” was for an awkward high school photo or for super posed family portraits. I promise you, it will be nothing like that. So forget the camera, and focus on enjoying the evening together!

Pick an environment that reflects you!

Pick places that make you feel at ease. The setting, location, and weather will affect your mood and the mood of the photos. I want to make sure you’re surrounded by what you love, whether that be your own home, your favorite café or coffee shop, open fields, parks, city streets, or just exploring your favorite neighborhood! Be creative and think outside the box!! If you want to use classic or muscle cars, motorcycles, or even your pets...absolutely lets do it!!! I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your network can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits like a beautiful private estate, lake side, field pond, or resort. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel or even a boat, airplane hangar or a rooftop view. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around. You’ll be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask!

#1 asked question about Family Portrait Sessions....What to Wear!!

Advice on what to wear for your portrait session changes with the yearly trends--but my answer will always be..."What vibe are you going for with your session?

What fits YOU? What are YOU comfortable in? What style fits you and your family? Is it jeans and casual t-shirts, or is it long, flowing dresses with the guys in dress paints and linen shirts?"

I LOVE to discuss your clothing choices prior to your session to make sure that your clothing coordinates with the location we have chosen for your session. Send me pictures of your selections and let's discuss them to create your vibe for your session together!

Choose your palette first: Pick a palette of 2-4 colors. Let this be your starting place.

Choose loose, flowy, natural fabrics like linen, cottons etc. that will move freely with you & keep you comfy during your session.

You DO NOT all need to match, but instead just coordinate with each other!!!

I have found over the years of doing this, that if everyone is wearing the same colors everyone blends together and there won't be much pop and life to the portraits.

If choosing patterns choose smaller ones that won't pull attention away from faces, and only put one person in a pattern (the rule of thumb for families is one person in a pattern per 3 people).

When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give your portraits some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, and knits.

Avoid large prints, patterns, and any graphics, branding, or logos if wearing t-shirts.

Layering: One of my favorite tips for clothing choices! In the summer months, this may be more difficult to pull off, but during other seasons, definitely layer your outfits. Not only will it provide more visual interest in each portrait but it will also allow a lot more variety in your portraits.

Keep make-up NATURAL!! Avoid using very heavy makeup-especially eye make up!

Just a bit of color on your lips, eyes, and cheeks goes a long way in portraits.

Be sure to bring some lip gloss with you for touch ups as there may be lots of smooches from your partner and little ones!

Accessories give your portraits that needed punch! They lend pops of color, personality, and interest.

I also have a Pinterest page that i love if you want to check it out! https://www.pinterest.com/jewl06/style-inspiration/