We are so excited you are interested in increasing your knowledge regarding photography, business and marketing. In our 10+ years in the photography industry we have been able to create a business that is able to support our family of 4 and 2 employees. We are also blessed to have a physical front for photographing and design consultations. There is so much that goes into building a photography career and we are happy to share our knowledge with both amateur photographers just wanting to learn the basics, to full fledge professional photographers looking to break into the industry or better their current business. We want to set up an online or in person appointment to get to know you better and ensure we are a great fit for you and your business needs. Contact us today to make your free consultation appointment!
Solid colors usually photograph the best. Wear colors that enhance your coloring and bring out your facial features.
Make sure your clothes fit correctly and bring extra for kids AND for you. You never know when he/she will have an accident.
Sometimes less is more on these shoots. Little hands and little feet are so precious and we will want to grab some pictures of those as well.
Look for outfits that you and your family members feel comfortable and amazing in.
Undergarments can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Make sure they fit properly and do not show through your outfit.
In regards to color coordination, staying within the same color family is encouraged. For example: staying with all jeweled tones or all fall tones or all pastels. If everyone is wearing all pastels and one person is wearing lime green, for example, this may deflect from your families story as the eye will go to the shirt not the expressions.
Accessories are fun and encouraged, however, to much may distract from the main subject... YOU! Hats, sunglasses, shawls and beads can works as fun props for pictures, but if we ask you to take them off for a few shots it's only because we want to variety of looks and styles.
We can photograph you in studio, in your home, or at a location of your choice! This will be discussed during our phone call with you. If for some reason this is unclear, make sure to call us immediately.
This is a biggie when it comes to wet weather shoots. We can and have shot in light rain and in fact they have been some of our favorite shoots, however, not everyone is a fan of getting wet. If it is really raining we will want to move your shoot to another day, because grey skies just aren't the prettiest. If there are open clouds and streams of light, with a bit of misting then that will work if you guys are down. This also goes for snow. We don't mind shooting in snow if you are ok with it, however if the light is flat then the pictures will be as well. We also need to consider safety driving back and forth, so we will go over this with you if the weather is varying a lot.
The heat can be a beast to work with. We try not to shoot engagement sessions on days that are over 95 degrees. It is just TO DARN HOT! You will be sweating and red and just plain uncomfortable. During the super hot season (June - August) we tend to shoot either in the Sierra's or on the coast where the weather is considerably cooler.
We may ask you to sit on a rock, bench, grass, or anything else that looks awesome. Sometimes objects in the public are not as clean as we may like. Here are a few ideas to help:
1. Bring a blanket you don't mind getting a little dirt on, but still looks good in pictures.
2. Bring a very small rag/handkerchief to put under your outfit so you don't get it dirty.
3. Don't care!
Yes! We love to photograph your fir babies. They are very often apart of your families and should be in your pictures. We do ask a few things as to not distract form your overall experience and take away from your time.
1. Bring another person to help contain the animal when they are not to be in the shot.
2. Bring treats and/or toys to help us get the pet to look where we need them to look.
3. Bring a leash/carrier
4. Check to be sure your location is cool with pets. Some locations may specify 'no animals'.
Yes! Water and snacks are advised if you have kids or coming from work. Drinking water throughout your shoot will help keep you going and make for better pictures. Eat a good meal before your session so you have a lot of energy and you "hangry". High protein snacks, like nuts, work great because a little goes far and they do not melt.
This is always up to you, however we are going to focus on capturing everyones individual story. Parents, partners, siblings and fur family are all encouraged. Everyone has a role and we want to celebrate those roles to their fullest. We will discuss who will be in the shoot during your phone call.
Family shoots can be a bit overwhelming and let's be honest, you will have people looking at you. We come with lighting and a pretty hefty camera, so we tend to draw a little attention. Don't worry though, we promise you will have fun. The best pictures are the ones of you guys just having fun. Laughing, kissing, hugging, thinking. We WILL pose you when needed and direct you throughout the day. THAT IS OUR JOB! You show up and just enjoy. We are hired to get great images, and we always do. Don't over think it. Time flies and at the end of the day you will realize it wasn't so bad, and that you actually had a great time. Just trust us when we ask you to do something that may be a little out of your comfort range. Most of the time we are trying to get a genuine smile and connection.
Your personalized design consultation is where we take the photos that we created for you and turn them into timeless and invaluable wall art, portrait boxes and albums for you to cherish for a lifetime. This is a very special session as it allows for discovery and connection and self refection. THIS is where we see connections made and lives transformed as you are able to see yourself and those you love the most captured in a way that best tells your life story. For this reason we require all decision makers to be present and ask that you arrange childcare for small children. All final decisions will be made during this time in regards to your photos.
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