MINI SESSIONS VS. Full SESSIONS

If you're like most folks, you're probably debating if a Full Session is really worth it or if you should just book a Mini Session. There are many factors when it comes to deciding between the two and I've created this fun decision tree to help you figure out what's best for your family. (Any other info graphic nerds out there like me?! hehe I just love a good flow chart! :P) The suggestions I make in it are based on my 15+ years a professional photographer and seeing how both types of sessions work for various types of families. Start at the top with the first question and move through the questions until you arrive at an option. After making your way through the tree, scroll down for more detailed information on each type of session.

First things first... photography can be an expense that adds up quickly. And I can imagine how tempting it is to opt for the Mini Session right away since it's the budget friendly option. But there are some scenarios where I would highly advise against it. My first question the decision tree is big hint. I've found that children between the ages 3-8 can sometimes have a harder time focusing during family photos. And when you book a Mini Session, which will either be 20 or 30 minutes long, that simply is not enough time for me to get my job done. Parents stress out, then the children usually follow suit. Which just makes for a bad experience all around for those of us involved. But I know this doesn't apply to all children between those ages. And you definitely know your children more than I do. So if your young child/children are used to do photos with a professional photographer annually, then a Mini Session will be just fine. But if your child/children have never done family photos before, a Full Session is a must. Mostly so that they can get into the swing of things and so that I have time to get their true personalities out. Regardless, I trust you to make the decision you think is best for your family!

There are other session types that I don't offer a Mini Session option for because I need more time. Those things include Senior Portraits, Personal Branding, First Birthday/Cake Smashes, and Newborns. I want you as my client to have a great experience working with me. And in order for that to happen, we need the appropriate amount of time for your session type. I've definitely tried doing Mini versions for those types of sessions and the time crunch is stressful. There is nothing like a newborn who is hungry and/or fights the sleep to stress you out a bit. And for my senior portrait sessions, I really want to get to know the senior and that takes time. It can be awkward being thrown in front of the camera to document such pivotal time in one's life. I don't want seniors to look back on their images and feel that awkwardness. I want them to look back and remember how much fun we had. Long story short: I don't like being stressed out. My clients don't like being stressed out or to feel awkward. So allotting the right amount of time is the best choice.

If you're looking for the quick bulleted list for each type, here ya go!

Mini Sessions are:

• Perfect if you need something short and sweet

• 20-30 minutes long, depending if you book a seasonal mini or book my year-round rate

• Can be lifestyle in-home or outdoors

• Limited to a 15 mile travel radius

• Great for families with older children

• Perfect for an updated family photo

• A budget friendly option
  

Full Sessions are:

• Great for little ones who may need more time focusing

• Up to an hour and a half long

• Lifestyle in-home or outdoors

• Long enough for a wardrobe change

• Long enough to accommodate larger groups, such as extended families

• Ideal if you're wanting to shoot at location outside the 15 mile travel limit. 50 miles round-trip are covered with a Full Session. There is a small travel fee for mileage beyond that.
  

I hope you found all this information useful. Like I mentioned before, the Mini Session may be tempting. But it may not be ideal for your family at this point in time. In which case you'll want to book a Full Session. But the good news is that if you haven't booked a Full Session with me yet, you get $50 off your first one!

If you're ready to book your session, regardless of the type, click here to see my current availability!

The Best Time to Schedule Your Newborn Session

I recently did a newborn session for a client who asked if newborn sessions should really take place within baby's first 5 days. While I've never personally gone through the process of giving birth, I have been in the homes of many families have done those things and I'm going to be honest... Trying to get a newborn session done within baby's first 5 days is ambitious to say the least!

That's not to say it cannot be done. But those first few days after coming home from the hospital are a whirlwind. If you're getting enough rest and the baby is doing well, you can certainly schedule a session within those first 5 days. However, when clients book a newborn session with me, I try to get the session done within the baby's first 6-10 days. Prior to the 6th day, the baby is still adjusting to life outside of the womb. Breast milk starts to come in between days 3-5, so scheduling the session before day 6 can lead to many breaks for breastfeeding, restlessness for the baby, and fatigue for mom. Of course if the baby is not breastfeeding, the complexity of this timing doesn't apply.

From day 11 and on, the sleep pattern starts to change and the baby starts to develop muscle tone in the arms and legs. The baby may start staying awake for slightly longer periods of time between feeding, which can make the newborn session last a little longer. And when muscle tone starts to form, it can make the baby a little less flexible for the tight swaddle wraps you see in newborn photos. So ideally, I try to get the session done within baby's first two weeks.

Some photographers lean towards only doing the session in the morning time, since that is when babies are most sleepiest. But I have found that morning doesn't always work light-wise with lifestyle newborn sessions that take place in my clients' homes. So I work to schedule these around times when the light is strongest in the rooms my clients like to use. Typically clients use a combination of the nursery, the master bedroom, and/or the living room. If you're not sure when those times are, no worries! I have a few resources for helping us figure that out. Especially since the light in those rooms will be different today as compared to 6 months from now, as we enter a different season with either shorter or longer days.

Hopefully this post has help shed some light (no pun intended) on when it's the best time to schedule your newborn session. Each baby is truly unique, so it's possible that some or all of these guidelines may not apply. But having been a lifestyle newborn photographer for over 10 years now, and photographing over 100 newborns, these general guidelines for scheduling have worked for most clients. If you're looking for more tips on newborn sessions, you can check out my post on how to prepare for your session here! And if you have any questions, drop me a comment below or shoot me an email. I'm happy to help!

Wardrobe Do's & Don'ts

It may seem like such a small detail, but outfits are actually a huge contributing factor to how well your images turn out. I cannot stress this enough!

Between personal styles, wardrobe limitations, and a room full of opinions, it's not always the easiest job to get everyone on the same page when it comes to dressing an individual person, a couple, or the entire family for a photo session!

Thankfully it's not rocket science and chances are you probably already have what you need in your closet! If not, I bet Old Navy has something on sale right now that you could pick up if needed!

Here are some Do's and Don'ts when it comes to your wardrobe for your photo session!

WARDROBE DO'S

• Wear clothes that fit well - If you feel comfortable, you'll look comfortable!

• Complement the setting - Use texture and color in your wardrobe that will look cohesive with the location we'll be shooting at.

• Dress kids in clothes they love - If the kids are happy, everyone is happy!

• Wear complementary colors - Outfits should consist of a limited color palette that will complement complexions and accent other outfits.

• Wear prints wisely - Clothing and accessories with medium and large patterns are best. Try mixing with solids to balance things out.

• Dress for the season and weather - Being dressed for the season will make your photos look natural because you'll be more comfortable during the session!

• Wear clothes and accessories that reflect your style - keep it classic and timeless, but don't be afraid to add some personality!

WARDROBE DON'TS

• Don't dress teething little ones in dark solids if possible. Their drool will stand out on their clothes and I can't guarantee that I'll be able to photoshop it out.

• Don't wear busy patterns and extreme colors - Overly bright colors are distracting and will clash with the location. Small, intricate patterns can create an effect known as Moiré which looks like a rainbowing or circular pattern on these prints. I cannot fix this in Photoshop. So it's best to avoid these types of patterns.

• Don't wear poorly fitting clothes - Clothes that are too big or too small, are restrictive, or wrinkled are very obvious in photos and won't be photoshopped out.

• Don't wear anything that's too trendy - Go for a timeless look and avoid clothes that will look dated in a few years (hello, shoulder pads!)

• Don't wear distracting items - Big jewelry, sunglasses (especially transition lenses), and hair bands on your wrist are more noticeable in photos. I suggest keeping it simple. We want you to be the focus of your images, not these other things.

• Don't be a walking billboard - Don't wear sneakers with brand names, logos, characters, or words that are visible. These things can also fall under the list of distracting items.

• Don't wear underwear that is hard to conceal - Avoid bra straps with a spaghetti strap dress/top, or underwear with lines that are visible through tight skirts, or even underwear with print that can be seen through sheer fabrics. Ladies--Invest in a good nude color bra for this exact reason!

• Don't show more skin than you want to show - Only show as much shoulder leg, midriff, and neckline as you're confident in capturing for a lifetime.

I hope this was helpful and provided a little bit of reassurance that putting together outfits for the family is not as complicated as you may think, but it does require some forethought and planning. Also, one of the perks to booking your session with me is gaining accessing to my Style & Select subscription. What is Style & Select? It's a digital stylist that will show you REAL outfits in real time. It's fun, and more importantly, SO easy to piece together a cohesive look with this tool. I can't wait to see the outfits you come up with now!