Photography Style Guide & Details

** Please note this is best viewed on computer and not on your phone **

If you are using a dress from my client closet, please be sure to wear skin toned underwear (not white or blue as it will show!!!), a low cut bra. You can use nipple coverings if comfortable!

When do sessions happen?

Welcome and here are some tips to help make your photoshoot the best it can be! Keep in mind that in order to have photos turn out properly, the best photoshooting times are in the morning and evening during the ‘golden hour’ or close to it! This can vary throughout the year and is often in the evening in the summer, so please contact me and I will advise you on the best time for photos! It’s worth it for that perfect lighting that will elevate your photos!

What locations work best?

I have many locations that I am happy to suggest for photo locations— I suggest thinking about what style of photos you would like and I can help you build from there. Gardens? Field? Forest? Beach? Some locations have multiple looks so be sure to ask me for some of the options that work best! Locations are the best way to include story telling into your session.

Planning your outfits? What’s your home décor like? No, seriously! Think of what you would want to hang on your walls.

About Clothing:

Once your session is booked, start thinking of clothing right away—like an investment. This way, you come better prepared to the session and more relaxed. Better yet, have everything laid out the night before to limit things from being overwhelming. Pay attention to the overall look of your outfits— the idea is to coordinate outfits and not match! This can be done by picking a color scheme :) A colour scheme is not all the same colours! Great options are pastels, warm colours, cool colours, and and earthy tones. Think soft, muted shades instead of bright and vibrant as this does not capture as well on camera. Work with what goes best with your skin tones.

Coordinate, don’t match.

Ladies, this is your chance to dress up! Dresses are encouraged, especially long ones and help flatter the figure and that are flowy. Any booked session has the option to access to my client wardrobe. Click here to see your options and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are interested! Ask me if you’re interested for recommendations on hair and make up— it can make all the difference for your photoshoot! It takes a lot of the stress out of prepping for your session! I also have some great boho hats and crowns if you’re interested in this for session!

When in doubt, please contact me if you’re feeling overwhelmed about wardrobe choices! I’m happy to give input!

See below for some colour suggestions that work great in photos:

If you couldn’t complete your outfit with the color palette on the left side, add 1-2 complimentary colours. This should work with the colours you have already picked from the left side and used less frequently

Colour coordination is especially important in family sessions! Scroll to the end to see some sample palettes!

“Woah, that’s too much for me, I’m not a fashionista!”

Finding this overwhelming? Choose easy mode and go completely neutral so everyone can shine— use cream or tan for most of the pieces and then mix in some nice denim for a simplistic, clean look.

Specific tips

In general:

Please avoid polo shirts and turtle necks as they are unflattering to the jawline.

Shoes matter. Please don’t wear sneakers. Think of shoes as another avenue to get creative and add texture. Shoes can make or break a session!

I love furry friends! Please let me know if you want to incorporate any fur babies!

Try to avoid logos and stick to solid colors or minimal pattern so it doesn’t distract from the main elements in the photo like faces. Solid colours are winners! You want people to look at your photos and think ‘that’s a nice photo of them’ and not ‘that’s a nice shirt!"‘ If you want patterns, make sure it is minimal and understated as to not distract from the focus of the photos— you! Think small stripes, dainty florals, or calicos or opt to add visual interest by using lace, linen, denim, chiffon, or tulle.

Save your favorite outfit for last! You’ll be more comfortable at the end of the session and shining the brightest at this point.

For men:

Please avoid t-shirts and polos. V-necks, button, or textured shirts are better for flattering the lines in photograph and drawing attention to the face. Polo collars can reach too high and reflect the color of the shirt in an unflattering way on your jawline.

Long, fitted pants and closed toe shoes create a sophisticated look for men— it draws the attention upwards to the face. Stay away from pinstripes and plaid as this can ruin the effect!

Don’t be afraid of layers! In stores, most male mannequins wear more than one layer of clothes— this creates a flattering effect and gives the option of removing/adding a layer to create more diversity in your photos.

For the ladies:

Consider accessories. Textured clothing (scarves, jeans, tweed, etc) look fantastic when photographed and add depth. This can help slim your figure.

Don’t be afraid to dress up! Let me know if you’re interested in any outfits in my client wardrobe, free for use with each session! Dresses flatter any body type and long flowy ones are great built-in props!

Heels can elongate the leg in photos and make you appear slimmer— only do this if you want to! I recommend closed toe heels to maximize this effect— if you bring heels, make sure to bring a comfy easy-to-slip-on pair of shoes for the moments in between! If you choose a beach session, consider going barefoot! Nothing is cuter than sandy toes!

Family and children photos:

Try to choose locations with less distractions and stimulus for younger children. This can mean avoiding downtown so the only thing catching their attention is yourselves, me, and the camera.

 Bring props! Children are best photographed when interacting with their environment—consider bringing favorite toys to help children open up and focus on the camera or props, such a wagon to add a story. Props can be subtle, like a basket of flowers that go with your colour scheme, or bold, like pumpkins! Just give me the heads up if you want to incorporate something in so I can plan for it!

 When wearing dresses or outfits for photos with children, please keep in mind shorter skirts limit the amount of interaction we can do. With children, we will often be crouching or posing closer to their level, so make sure to wear long enough skirts or wear something that will flatter you appropriately.

Try to shop at the same store if you’re feeling overwhelmed! Stores usually have collections that match other styles so this can help ease the stress!

Avoid logos and distracting shirts! Paw Patrol is a distracting element in photos, but I’m happy watch them dance to baby shark as needed!

Bring a backup shirt if you have a toddler— toddler’s can get their clothes messy quick, better to have a back up than messy clothes in every photo!

Be comfortable! It’s great if everyone looks fantastic but doesn’t photograph well if someone is grimacing because their collar is too tight! Comfort is the first priority!

Don’t worry about outbursts! It can be expected in this season of their life while first exploring strong, new emotions. Sometimes photoshoots can be overwhelming and we need to take a few minutes to pause and regroup— this is totally normal! Sometimes, they may just need to burn off some energy also (which makes for some great interactive photos!)

Sometimes, photos are not about the perfect posing but capturing relationships and this is done by interaction. Not all photos will be looking at the camera to help highlight the connection with your loved ones. Life isn’t perfect! If they are giggling, initiate play time and scoop them up! If they shy or upset, bring them close and tell them how wonderful they are and tuck their hair behind their ear— these tender moments can be beautiful.

Prepping children before a photoshoot

Make sure everyone is freshly bathed that day if possible and that children are well fed. For younger children, it helps sometimes to have a nap time prior.

Pack a bag with snacks, water, and a few favorite toys to help with distraction.

Many families choose to offer a reward at the end of the session to promote good behavior like ice cream.

An easy checklist for your session with all this info (the important bits)

• Set a time and date and sign a contract to secure your session

• Review this guide as needed

• Begin planning outfits

• Schedule hair and make appointments (if you want!)

• Bring a bag with: touch up make-up if needed, comfy shoes for walking between photo locations, and, if you have toddlers, water, snacks, a favorite toy and small treats (if you choose) to hold their attention

• Touch base with me if you need any input or help planning

In the end, the outfits will not matter as much as the memories to look back fondly on in the years to come.

To wrap up

I will post 1 web-sized teaser photo from your session 1-2 days after the session to hold you over until you receive your finished gallery.

Galleries take 3-4 weeks for completed editing. You will receive options for your gallery in color or black and white for all photos and be able to select your favorite images for the number corresponding to your package. If you choose, you can have the option to upgrade to more photos (if applicable) or purchase the entire gallery in colour and black and white for an additional fee.

Sample Palettes for Photography