Planning your portrait photo shoot.
With each shot I strive to capture the subject's true personality and spirit. This to me is what makes a portrait one that will be cherished forever. In order to do this it is important that parents are relaxed on the day of the shoot. Children pick up on stress and it often affects their mood.
All sessions are at the location of your choice. It could be at your home or at a nearby park. Children should be comfortable at the location you choose. If you need help choosing a location I can give you ideas.
Sessions with babies or young children usually last one to two hours. This allows plenty of time for snacks, clothing changes, and breaks for playing. I may ask to spend some time alone with the person being photographed. This is often helpful to reduce distractions and also helps me build a relationship with the subject. This relationship is extremely important to accomplish my goal of natural, carefree expressions.
I prefer photographing outdoors using natural light. When weather does not allow for an outside shoot I will set up a studio inside your home.
When deciding on clothes for a session, keep it simple. It is generally a good rule to avoid logos and busy patterns. Denim overalls with no shirt for boys and cotton or denim dresses for girls are classic choices for toddlers. Babies look natural and more comfortable in their birthday suit or just a diaper. Jeans or khakis and a sweater is always a good choice. If you are planning a group photo make sure everyone's clothes are the same tone (all dark, all light, or all neutral).
And last but not least, have fun!