- courtney
Studio sessions are different than outdoor sessions because they are more static and usually give off a cleaner look. The set ups are usually minimal with the focus being on the family. To achieve the look you are going for, having a shoot concept with outfits in mind will help create the tone of your shoot. I am more than happy to help discuss your ideas and what you dream of for your shoot.
Family sessions are the perfect opportunity to capture a specific time in your life that you want to document forever. Whether you schedule the session to take family photos for the holiday’s, or just a casual look, there are many directions you can take to create a truly fun and memorable shoot.
My goal for this guide is to help you create a vision for your shoot that we can work together to plan and execute, while also having some fun throughout your entire experience! This type of session gives you the ability to showcase your personality in an authentic way through a truly formal look, something casual or somewhere in between.
As you read through this guide, you will find out what to expect on the day of your shoot, have some guidance on planning outfits, as well as read some other logistical points that will help your shoot run smoothly.
Our hope is that this guide will be beneficial to you and answer a lot of the initial questions you might have. Of course, if there are any details you’d like to discuss or additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to be on your team!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Welcome
We get it, having your picture taken for an hour or two (depending on your shoot) might not be in your top 10 favorite things to do during your limited downtime. But, these sessions are an amazing opportunity to forget about everything around you and just focus on your family for a bit and have a good time!
During the shoot, you might feel awkward at first being in front of the camera, but by the end of the session, you will find that it is a lot easier than you thought and find you even had a little fun. I promise to be as efficient as possible and I know you will appreciate having these images once it’s all said and done.
The Guys
A NOTE TO
Normally, people schedule family sessions to document a certain stage of life they want to remember and share with family or friends. With that being said, there is never a “good” or “bad” time or reason to take family photos.
The advantage of a studio session is that they can take place at any time during the day since we do not have to rely on the sun for light. We also have the ability to create the feeling you would like to have for your shoot without waiting on the right season to shoot. (For example, we can create a fall or holiday theme in the studio without it actually being the fall or winter outside.)
Sessions typically last between one to two hours, depending on the number of outfits and props that you are working with, and the time we choose to shoot should be dependent on your kid's schedules so we have happy and smiling faces during our shoot.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
If you’re planning to use your family session photos for holiday cards or announcements, usually the more lead time you allow, the better. Studio sessions require an extra bit of editing, and the more time I have to make those edits, the easier it will be to share your photos in a timely manner.
Especially, if you are going to purchase and print holiday or announcement cards, it can take a few more weeks to design, print and collect addresses, before they are ready to be sent out to family and friends. With that being said, the earlier we can schedule your shoot for any printed cards, the better.
In the past, I have had some people who were not able to get their family session scheduled in time to have holiday cards printed and shared in December, so they pushed their cards out to celebrate the new year.
If you are scheduling a shoot that has a special announcement, like a pregnancy or gender reveal and you need the photos faster than the designated turnaround time, please let me know and I will see if I can accommodate you.
holiday cards
or Announcements
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
When picking outfits, it’s really important that you choose something that you are completely confident in. There is a saying in sports, “Look good, feel good, play good.” It applies to photoshoots as well. If you’re confident in your outfit and think you look good, you'll feel good, and photograph great!
Also, I recommend keeping in mind it is best to coordinate with anyone else in your shoot, rather than match completely. For example, if you are shooting as a family and your partner is going to wear a colored shirt or sweater, you might want to wear a more neutral shirt or sweater with the kids in a complimentary color palette or white, but all of you do not have to wear the exact same color. However, you do want to be in similar fabric styles. For example, if your partner is in a sweater, you will want to be in a thicker material as well instead of wearing something that is lightweight, like linen.
Another tip, would be for the woman not to wear anything too restricting or short. In case we want to get a shot kneeling with your kids. This is especially important with studio looks. If you are going to have two looks, make sure one of them you are able to bend down or sit next to your kids or partner with ease. Also, if you are doing an outfit change, I recommend one look that is more formal and another look that is casual. This will allow for variety as well as two different tones of the shoot.
Also, try to avoid any crazy patterns and unusual or oversized logos that might draw your attention away from you and anyone else that is in your shoot. Especially with studio, we want the focus to be on you, your family, and the emotions, so picking the right outfits that enhance these elements, instead of distracting from the shoot is very important.
As far as accessories go, something that completes your look without being a distraction is usually the way to go. You can never go wrong with thin hoops, classic pearls or diamond studs, silver or gold timeless bracelets and/or necklaces that will add the perfect finishing touch. And don’t forget to get your engagement ring cleaned if applicable.
Our studio backgrounds are very simple but we have different color options depending on the type of look you are going for. We also have some hand painted options with a little bit of color if you are doing a pregnancy announcement and know the gender already. The hand painted backdrops do give off a different feel than our paper rolls, so we will need to discuss the look you are going for before you arrive at the studio.
Heels lengthen legs, but if your heels aren’t comfortable, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between setups.
With studio shoots, it is also beneficial to wear something that shows off your figure. If you wear something super flowy, because studio shoots don't have a lot of movement, too much fabric could potentially be unflattering in photos, especially if it is all one color. I love a good midi dress or midi skirt, and if this is your style and something you're looking into, opt for one that will not be too loose on your upper half and make sure it creates a nice waistline.
To test your outfit for your studio shoot, have someone take a few photos of you standing still from a few different angles to see how the outfit looks on your figure in photos.
Another thing I like to mention when choosing their outfits is to be mindful of patterns. Patterns can easily make your photo look a little too busy if they are too small and become the focal point of the entire image if too large. If you are going to put your children in something with a pattern, maybe you opt for something solid instead.
With studio shoots, neutral or or darker colors tend to photograph really well and create a good contrast for your images. I love bright dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion. Also, the color orange specifically can affect the color of your skin tones in the photos as well.
Wardrobe Tips
for the ladies
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
Styling plays an important role in the overall look of your photos and it is important that you wear something that 100% reflects your personal style. Jewelry is a great way to add that extra touch to your outfit, and accessories tend to be very personal.
For example, if you are the type of person to take risks in fashion and follow the latest trends, your accessories might be the place to make a statement. With studio, I do recommend on making a subtle statement than something that is too over the top that will pull focus from the emotions in the shoot.
Choose your outfit(s) and accessories that you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!
Accessories
for the ladies
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
Shops:
ShopBop
Nordstrom
Anthropologie
Free People
Rent the Runway
Favorite Shops
Brands
:
Marchesa Notte
Ulla Johnson
Alice + Olivia
Self Portrait
For Love & Lemons
Joie
Vince
for the ladies
Here are my favorite shops and brands that will hopefully give you an idea when it comes to shopping for your session outfits. There are so many great places to shop. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I also have a personal styling and shopping contact I can pass along if you would like even more help.
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
Depending on how comfortable you are doing your own hair and makeup, your portrait session could be the perfect time to pamper yourself and feel extra special for the day by hiring a professional.
Professionally done hair and makeup tends to hold up longer in the humidity and wind, and depending on the type of shoot you are doing, this might be important to you.
However, in order for these photos to look the best they possibly can, it is important that you look and feel at your best too, so do whatever will make you feel the most confident!
Hair & Makeup
for the ladies
indy hair & makeup Artists
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
I really love trying to include a few detail shots in each of my galleries that might feature your hands running through your hair, holding the hands of your child or partner, etc. Which means, it might be a great idea to clean up your nails before your session. This applies to guys too!
Plain nail polish without any bold or bright designs always photograph the best because it doesn’t distract from the emotion behind the shot. I usually recommend a neutral nail color for photoshoots, but depending on the time of year you could wear something darker.
Manicure
for the ladies
*If you are looking for a pale pink color, one of my favorite nail polish combinations for shoots is one layer of OPI Funny Bunny and two top layers of OPI Bubble Bath for the perfect light pink. Great for the spring and summer especially.
*During the winter time, you can get away with darker colors, but it depends on your style and the type of shoot you are going for. If you want something edgy, OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark is a favorite of mine, but if you are wanting something romantic, then I would opt for something lighter.
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
find it fast
For studio, I suggest keeping it a little more casual than on the extremely formal side. To me, this means jeans and a nice sweater or a nice button down. I would not suggest wearing a jacket or coat in a studio setting. Similar to a female wearing a flowy dress, this could make you look a little boxier than you are in person.
If you’re doing a sporty but casual look, a plain but elevated t-shirt with jeans and boots could be the way to go. If you are shooting with your family or partner, make sure that y’all are coordinating to create a cohesive look.
Just like our girls, be careful when choosing a pattern or a bold logo. It may accidentally make your photos look a little too busy. Softer, neutral colors or solid dark colors tend to photograph better than bright colors that could reflect on your skin. And, if you decide to go for a sportier look, try to stay clear of pieces with logos. Large logos can be very distracting in an image.
When it comes to accessories, choose something that is not too distracting so you can pay attention to the emotion in the image rather than the accessories. Again, in your outfit search, think coordinating rather than matching.
Wardrobe
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
Nordstrom
The Black Tux
Rent the Runway
J. Crew
ASOS
Zara
H&M
Urban Outfitters
BYLT for Basic T-Shirts
Wardrobe
for the gents
find it fast
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
including kids
Tip #1: Let’s work together to plan the shoot around nap times if necessary. While shooting it is more important that the main subjects of the shoot are happy and excited to be there. Once we have our date picked out, we will work together to find a time that is ideal for all of us and ideal for participating children.
Tip #2: If your kids are super active, get comfortable with the idea of a more candid style of shoot. Especially if they aren't the type of kid to sit and smile for photos, it might be helpful that they aren't fully energized because they won't be able to run around like an outdoor shoot. Maybe give them a few minutes to get some energy out before arriving.
Family portrait sessions are extremely common and I have had a lot of experience running around with young and active kids over the past few years. Here are a few of my tips to make sure that we are setting ourselves up for success.
Tip #3: If you have an extra person that your kid(s) really love and smile at regularly, it might be a good idea to have them tag along to help grab their attention. In the past, some kids have been scared or nervous about someone they don’t know taking photos of them with a camera (completely understandable). Having someone they trust or recognize that is not involved with the shoot can help them relax and be more themselves.
Tip #4: If having an extra set of hands at the shoot is not possible, we can work together to find a toy or object that will grab their attention and hopefully make them smile. Bringing your kid’s favorite toy could be an option, but we try to avoid them reaching for the toy and covering their face throughout the shoot. Also, once they grab the toy, I don’t want to upset them while trying to take it away so that it’s not in the photos.
In the past, having snacks that help keep kids calm has worked, and I have had a tambourine before to help grab their attention with noise. Once we are close to the shoot, we can coordinate the best plan for grabbing their attention during the shoot so that we can set ourselves up for success.
previous
When it comes to posing during your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We will talk before the start of the session and walk through the flow of the session, which includes how the posing will work.
Most of the poses or prompts I will have you do are meant to bring out emotions, the sweetness of your family, or put you in a position to completely be yourselves.
All of the poses and prompts are only there to be used as a guideline, so you can feel at ease and fall naturally into any position. However, if I tell y’all to do something silly, it’s probably because to make you laugh, and that’s the photo that I’m actually going for.
Throughout your session, I will also keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits that make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your experience with me!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
Props
setting the scene
If you’re planning on bringing or incorporating props into your family session, you should only include them if they set the scene, enhance the look you're going for, or if they're meaningful to you and your family.
Props can be as elaborate or simple as you would like, but this is definitely something we should discuss when planning your session so we can incorporate them in a productive way. Our studio has is limited and creating a large install might not be possible. However, we will do our best to accommodate you.
Please note: Anything that you would like to have for your shoot will either need to be sourced by your or there will be an extra fee if you would like for me to source the items for you.
If you have any rings that you will be wearing during your family session, such as a family heirloom or a wedding ring, if possible, please try to have it professionally cleaned just in case it is in any detail shots, it will look shiny and beautiful.
If this is not an option, here is a way you can clean it yourself. To clean your ring at home, soak your ring in warm water with dishwashing soap for 20 to 40 minutes, then gently brush the stone with a soft toothbrush. If it still looks dirty, rinse and repeat.
Ring Cleaning
Note: When I clean my rings at home it usually air-dries with water spots that are visible from the top. To keep that from happening, I place it on a wash cloth and use my hairdryer.If you use a high heat setting, be careful, your ring will be hot to the touch, so wait a few minutes before putting it back on.
Date Night
After your family session, this could be the perfect time to schedule a night out afterwards.
If you’re anything like me, you only get dressed up every now and then, and if you are already in an outfit with full hair and makeup, you might as well turn it into something special. A date night or night out with friends could be the perfect way to end the day and reward yourselves on a job well done!
Following your session, I will upload your images into an online gallery that I will then share with you so you can create your selections for editing. Once those selections have been made, you can expect to receive your images between the designated delivery time.
I will deliver you photos in an online gallery where they will be ready for print. At this time I will share any additional details with you that cover custom product and album offerings.
When to Expect Your Images
You made it! Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide! I hope it covers any initial questions you have while preparing for your portrait session.
If you have any additional questions or need other recommendations please feel free to reach out. We’re here to be on your team!
THANK YOU!
@2021 Ninety Three Creative
courtneysstudios@gmail.com