Session & Style Guide

You're having your portraits done! Yay! You're longing to have beautiful pictures, so you booked a session to capture these precious moments ... but now you're totally nervous as heck!

Don't worry! Most people feel self-conscious about being in front of a camera(me too!) But my goal is to make this a fun & relaxing experience! I've done hundreds of sessions of all kinds, and I'm here to tell you, as soon as you get that first shot clicked, the nerves will dissipate.


In the meantime,

here are a few tips for a session that feels good!

LETS Talk style
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Pick a palette of 3-4 colors.Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.

Choose your palette

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Muted tones look beautiful together in a family picture. When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won't pull attention away from the main subjects, and only put one person in a pattern. When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give photos some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, and knits.

Use muted colors

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Your outfits should be comfortable to move around in and should feel like you. Everyone will look the best in simple & well fitting clothes. Make sure you can move around freely without tugging or resetting clothing.

Keep it comfy

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Keep accessories to a minimum during sessions to avoid frequent adjustments or distraction. Wedding bands, earrings, are perfect but ditch the Apple Watch. When choosing a hairstyle keep in mind some locations are windy. If you’re not interested the windswept hair bring a cute hat or opt for an updo!

Accessories & layers

A Few More Things


Here's a little checklist of things that you might want for your session!


  • photo worthy blanket for picnic style shots & keeping warm
  • touch up make up or lip balm
  • Water bottle (for warmer sessions)
  • Coat for cover-up ( for colder sessions)
  • tissues or wipes
  • snacks (just in case!)
  • Playlist of your little ones favorite songs. If you have a Spotify playlist you can share it with me and I'll play it on my phone.

Bringing Your Dog Along

I love when families include their dogs in photos—they’re such a big part of your story! If your pup is joining us, plan to arrive a few minutes early so they can get a short walk in and release some energy before we start. A calm dog is usually a more cooperative one.

Bring a leash that you wouldn’t mind showing in photos—something neutral or simple works best—and a few small treats to help keep their attention. It’s also a good idea to pack a small water bowl, some potty bags, and a lint roller for any last-minute cleanups.

If possible, have a friend or family member come along to help. They can step in for a few minutes when we’re including your pup, and then take them for a walk or hang back once we move into photos without them. That way, you can relax and enjoy your session without worrying about your furry sidekick.

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