Here are a few recommendations for the varying types of photography we have to offer...
Family/Children-
We know that every child is different, so it's hard to have a straightforward recommendation that would apply to everyone. You know your child(ren) best, but here are some ideas for how to make them more comfortable for their session.
1. Sometimes it's best not to tell your younger child(ren) (ages 2, 3 or even 4) that they're going to a photo session and that they have to smile. Instead, let them know you're meeting a friend at the park who is excited to see them and might even take some fun pictures of them! This relieves a lot of the pressure kids sometimes feel about having to act a certain way. I will try my best to make them smile and laugh without pressure. Any recommendations you have for making your child(ren) smile are always appreciated!
2. If you're bringing an older child to have their pictures taken with a newborn sibling, please keep in mind that they're going through an adjustment time period themselves. Many young boys just aren't eager to be around their younger siblings, especially around the ages of 2 or 3. If your child starts acting up, please don't feel embarrassed, this is completely normal behavior and happens all the time!
Please bring something that you might enjoy having in the pictures that your child can use as a source of comfort (a small teddy bear that they can show to their newborn, a colorful lollipop, or even a special blanket). Giving them space and time usually helps as well. A lot of times they want to jump in when they see their sibling having their photos taken.
3. Clothes-
Bright colors really are the best! For family photos, try to go for a cohesive look. Not everyone has to have the same pattern or the exact same color, but having it "matchy" or with a nice seasonal pallet adds a great flow to the photos.
4. Things to bring: Bringing items such as family quilts, picnic baskets, and things that are unique to your family will enrich your session even further! Quilts are especially nice for individuals in the family who don't like getting dirty! It brings out lots of color and is more comfortable! Some people bring things that the whole family likes to do (golf clubs and golf attire, books to use as props, equine clothing, themed period outfits, a station wagon that father and son have been working on remodeling), be as creative as you want! We want to make it true to your life!
Here is a photo I took of our family with the tripod to show just how fun a family photo can be without having to have everyone look at the camera! We are REALLY into books, so I thought bringing some for our kids to look at would really bring out the spirit of our family
3. Clothes- Bring a couple of different tops! I recommend things that shape close to your body and are going to show off that adorable bump! If you are doing a studio session, please avoid wearing exceptionally dark colored tops for when we use the black background, as they tend to blend into one another. Having your clothes coordinate with your husbands is not necessary, but does make the session look more cohesive. In the long run we just want to make sure that you're both enjoying yourselves!
Engagement Photos
1. Engagement photo sessions can be tricky. Meeting a stranger (us), and being intimate in front of them right off the bat can be awkward for some people. As silly as it sounds we highly recommend that you practice in front of a mirror prior to your session. Also, take a look online and see if you have any poses or themes that you would like to incorporate, if you want to send a sample via e-mail or print out a copy of what interests you, sometimes it's easier to emulate something, than it is to be intimate and creative all at one time.
2. Casual or dressy? It's totally up to you! I highly recommend bright colors, but recommend steering away from green as it tends to blend into the background. Something flowy perhaps... definitely romantic, but most of all something you feel flatters you and is comfortable to wear throughout various poses. Also, please feel free to change your clothes in the middle of the session for more of a variety! If you're wanting to dress up and have varying backgrounds outdoors, remember to bring a change of shoes if you're wearing high heels, so you're not in any pain walking around. Bring things that are reminiscent of the two of you. Books, picnic baskets, quilts, board games or even something like your fiances firefighter gear. We want this session to be representative of your relationship and for you to have a blast doing it!
Newborns
2. Your baby wants there mommy... hands down, no question about it! Please plan for you and your loved one to be in a good portion of the pictures. We will get plenty of them alone, but you will have so many more options if you make yourself available to the camera as well!
3. Indoors or Outdoors (or both!)- When the weather gets chilly it definitely is best to have your little one inside for photos. But we are available to take the pictures at your own house (and sometimes our own). Not having to pack for baby, worry about directions or anything along those lines is something parents of a newborn tend to really appreciate. And PLEASE do not try to clean your house for us... we are not visitors, we're hired professionals, and I promise you, house cleaning is not my strong suite so I would never judge! Plus, you just had a baby, give yourself the time to relax and not worry about it! It is imperative that the location at your house have about 8 feet of open space and a big bay window/patio door that lets in a lot of light [not so bright the baby will be squinting]). Using window lighting can look just as good, if not better in some cases, than soft box lighting!
4. This is probably the most imperative aspect of your session. Giving baby a sponge bath and nursing/feeding baby right before the session allows for us to adjust your sweet bundle of joy without disrupting their sleep repeatedly. We want baby conked out if we're going to be maneuvering them on top of bean bags, placing them in baskets, changing out backgrounds and blankets, etc. After enough maneuvering they will definitely wake up towards the end of the session and we will get their bright eyes, but initially we want babe fast asleep. We realize that there can be lots to do to get everything ready to get out the door (if we're meeting at a specific location), but a bath and feeding right before leaving the house will make the difference between 50 photos of various poses vs. 20 photos of limited poses more often than not. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please feel free to message us.
Birthing Session
Karen Goade (Reighlynn's Mom)-
We never thought of doing pictures during the delivery of our baby girl, in fact my husband and I weren't planning on having anyone in the delivery room, but when presented with the opportunity we decided why not. During the whole process Brookeanne was so nice and professional, she never got in the way and was literally like a fly on the wall! After viewing the photos we couldn't imagine not having the delivery photographed. As the mother it gives me views that I would have never been able to see and now I can cherish them forever. My husband and I agree that picture 24 is the absolute best of our little girl, and that it may never be outdone! We are more than pleased with the whole experience and are planning on having our next child's delivery photographed!
Your pictures will not show anything "down yonder". It is my goal to capture the amazement and wonder in your husbands eyes, and the moment of awe in yours, as well as that special moment when your child is in the loving arms of their parents for the first time. I edit 25-35 of the pictures for your enjoyment and ALL the pictures taken will be available for you to took look through, cherish and keep as your own. Should anything arise that does not allow me to take pictures (emergency c-section, delivery too fast to contact, etc.), you will not be charged in any capacity even if I am already at the hospital (unless you are wanting pictures immediately after the birth at the hospital). After you deliver and have the baby in your arms, I will step out of the room to give you and your husband some private time together and if nursing, give you an opportunity to do so privately. I'll check in after about 20 minutes and you can let me know then what you would like to do, it is up to you whether you would like a quick family picture together or just want to relax and be finished with your session.
Weddings
We do ask that a $50 deposit be paid for weddings that are 4 hours or less, and $100 deposit for 5 hours or more, within two weeks of the wedding. It is also important that we take the opportunity to meet at the location(s) to discuss your ideas within that time period. Please have any formal requests e-mailed or written so that we do not miss anything of importance to you. Having a list is a great way for us to make sure everything you want is taken care of! We're excited to meet you both and to capture this incredible time in your lives!
