Prepare · Family
Prepare for your family session
Kids, dogs and grandparents do better with a plan. This guide helps you set one up in about a week.
Short answer
Book the session around the nap and the light, not around the clock. Pick outfits a week out, feed everyone first and bring a snack and a spare top. A Mini runs up to 20 minutes. Dress the kids at the last moment, and expect the gallery in 48 hours.
One week out: time and place
Pick a time around the nap. A rested child gives you ten good minutes, and a tired one gives you two. If you are choosing between sunset and midday, take sunset: the light is softer and the heat is lower. The golden hour calculator gives the time for your date.
Pick the place with the kids in mind. A pond, a playground or an open lawn gives them something to do. The photo spot finder filters by season and shade.
Outfits that work together
Choose a palette, not a matching uniform. Two or three colors that sit well together look better than everyone in the same shirt. Avoid large logos and neon. The outfit planner builds a palette from one outfit you already own.
Wash and mend everything early. Pack a backup top for each child.
The day before and the day of
Feed everyone a real meal before you leave. Dress the youngest at the last moment, or in the car. Bring wipes, a brush, water and a snack that does not stain. Arrive ten minutes early so the kids can burn off a little energy.
If a dog is joining, the dog session guide covers the leash, the shade and the running order. For toddlers, the toddler post has a 20-minute plan.
After the session
The gallery arrives in 48 hours, ready to download, with a print release included. Choose a favorite for a card, and one large frame for the wall. The print size visualizer shows each size to scale.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is a family mini session?
A Mini runs up to 20 minutes for up to 5 people at 1 location and includes 10 edited images. It is $225. Signature is $475 for about 1 hour, and Extended is $675 for about 90 minutes.
What time of day is best for family photos?
General tip, not a rule: the hour or two before sunset gives soft light and cooler air. Plan around the nap, because a rested child gives you the best expressions. In summer, ask for a start about 90 minutes before sunset.
What should my family wear?
Pick a palette of two or three colors that sit well together, not a matching uniform. Avoid large logos and neon. Bring a backup top for each child. The outfit planner builds a palette for your group in a minute.
Can the dog come?
Yes. Pets in session add $25. I run dog sessions candid first and posed last, so the dog burns energy first. Bring a thin leash, water and treats, and a friend who handles the dog. Check the park rule on dogs.
Keep planning
Next step
Book your family session
Pick a date and a backup date.
Prefer to talk first? Call 919-917-3015 or see pricing.
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