What do I wear?
We are in Florida and even if it will be early morning or early evening, it will be HOT! So, Choose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, corals (not recommended for sunset sessions), and slate blues. Personally, I love a pop of color, so if your family likes the spunky side of life, choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy). Bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents are good for that effect. The rule is if one person wears a pattern, the others would wear solid colors that are pulled off the pattern to complement the look.
Do - Dress cute--flowy dresses and tops, button downs, etc.
Don't - Wear really short flowy dresses (it gets really windy at times and areas not intended for showing can be exposed, hello! :) )
Do - Bring hair utensils...brush, hair ties, headbands, etc (it gets windy at times, you may need something to fix or hold your hair)
Don't - Wear black or white or colored undergarments under light colored clothes (they will show through)
If you are a "t-shirt" kind of person, new t-shirts look better in pictures than old t-shirts, FYI.
Wrinkles will show also...….
Be well rested and well fed
Don't come on an empty stomach! I can't stress this enough! Especially if you are bringing children to the photoshoot. Also, bring snacks and your patience.....crying babies can be interesting in a shoot....not crying parents. :) (Don't forget to bring a bottle of water for the thirsty ones)
Ask Dad to be a cheerful participant
Sorry Dads.......Well, not all Dad's fit this mold, but if you or yours do....please, please be cheerful and participate. I know this is not usually a "Dad thing" and they dread "the family photo session", but please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be a legacy to the children when they are grown one day. They will be cherished for years to come.
Bring props/activity that your family likes doing together and you would like in the photoshoot
This gives you something to do with your hands and feet, engages the little ones, and brings an authentic smile to your face. Whether it be games, sports, reading, eating a tasty treat.....whatever it is, having an activity for the whole family enhances the authenticity of the photos resulting in some beautiful photographs.
Plan bathroom visits accordingly
Bathrooms are not always readily available on some on-location shoots, particularly beach photoshoots.
Be OK with getting sandy
If a beach session is what you want, you will be sitting in the sand. It's ok! We come prepared with brushes and towels to dust you off with. Remember, just have fun!
Be prepared for "unposed" style of photography
My personal favorite! Not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family members and your smile with being natural. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they show emotion and depict your family connection and your love.