A Guide to Your
Family Session
Experience
Children change quickly. Loved ones pass away. So much of life can slip by when we do not slow down to soak it in. That is why I love family photography. It allows you to remember these small moments in time, the people you love, and the life you are building, for years to come.
My goal is to capture you and your loved ones doing what you do best - being yourselves. And hey, if I can make you laugh and have fun while we do so, then that's an even bigger win. So let's plan the day, pick a location, and create a slew of images that will fill up the frames on your walls for years to come.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session. I get asked much of the same questions prior to a family session, so I thought it would be the most beneficial to put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know! I'll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!
Session
About your
Expect lots of fun, lots of laughs, and plenty of hugs, kisses, and snuggles during your family session. Whether you are booking a mini session or a full lifestyle family session, I am so excited to document this season of life for you.
My goal is to capture your family in a natural, authentic way that feels true to who you are right now. These are the moments you will want to hold onto, the everyday chaos, the sweet connections, and the in between moments that make your family yours.
I know family photos can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, but I am here to make the experience easy, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone. I focus on keeping things fun and real so your family story can be documented honestly, just as it is in this season of life.
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Shots that are fun, natural, and full of emotion are what your family session is all about, and they are the kinds of moments I look forward to capturing most.
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No two family sessions are ever the same. I love when families include their favorite hobbies, pets, or little pieces of their everyday life into their photos. This session is all about capturing your family exactly as you are in this season of life.
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My number one goal for your session is to create a positive and relaxed experience for everyone involved. We want your kiddos to associate this time with fun, connection, and happiness, so the experience feels just as meaningful as the images themselves.
WHAT TO BRING
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To help your session feel relaxed, natural, and fun, here are a few helpful things to bring along. These small items can make a big difference in keeping everyone happy, comfortable, and engaged.
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Do you have a cute furry family member? Bring him/her! I always encourage you to bring your pets as they ARE family!
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Do you have a special toy/music that gets your children(s) attention? Something that brings comfort is always a great idea, especially if your kiddo may be a little shy.
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Diaper bag! Although we're only together for 30-60 minutes, accidents happen and it's good to be prepared with an extra outfit, diapers or wipes.
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SNACKS OR TREATS. As much as we try to avoid it, bribes of sweet treats or something you know your child loves can create a positive experience for them! Snacks that aren't messy - crackers, gummies, fruit snacks.
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A small prop that feels meaningful to your family, like a book you read together or a favorite activity.
Really, anything is fair game. We can discuss all the details over coffee or a phone call before your session. ​
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Most importantly, bring patience and a go-with-the-flow mindset. Some of the best moments happen when we let things unfold naturally, and I will guide you through everything so you can simply enjoy being together as a family!
Styling Tips & Palettes
Overall Style
For selecting outfits for your family session, I recommend keeping things soft, simple, and coordinated rather than overly bold or distracting. The goal is to create a cohesive look where everything feels natural and connected without any one outfit pulling too much attention.
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Colors
Start with a base of neutrals like creams, tans, whites, and light grays. From there, you can layer in soft, muted tones such as dusty pinks, blues, greens, and other earthy shades. Avoid bright neon colors and large blocks of black as the main color, as these can feel harsh and take away from the natural feel of your images.
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Patterns
Light, delicate patterns tend to photograph best, such as soft florals, subtle eyelet textures, light stripes, or small plaids. A good rule of thumb is to limit patterns to one or two outfits per family to keep everything balanced and coordinated.
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Layers and Accessories
Layers add depth and variety to your images and can help adjust for weather changes. Consider adding items like hats, jackets, vests, or simple accessories such as headbands or necklaces. These small details help complete the look without overpowering it.
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Shoes
Comfort is key since we will be moving around during your session. Neutral and simple footwear works best. Please avoid character themed shoes, athletic shoes, or bulky soles when possible. That said, if those are what your kids will happily wear, or what feels most “them” in this season of life, go for it. These images are meant to reflect your family as you truly are.
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Styling Tip
I typically recommend starting with Mom’s outfit first, often a dress, and then building the rest of the family’s outfits around that piece by pulling colors and tones from it. This helps create a naturally cohesive and well balanced look.
Styling Tips for
DAD
For men, comfort and personality matter just as much as style. Depending on the season and overall vibe of your session, jeans or even shorts can absolutely work. Simple, neutral footwear like Hey Dudes or similar casual shoes photograph perfectly fine as well. The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves while still creating a clean and timeless overall look.
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For the most polished and timeless look on camera, I typically recommend long fitted pants or clean, well fitting jeans paired with closed toe shoes. Neutral tones and simple pieces photograph best and help keep the focus on connection and emotion rather than clothing.
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Solid colors like gray, navy, tan, cream, or earthy tones tend to complement the rest of the family’s outfits beautifully, while bold patterns, graphics, logos, or overly distressed clothing can become distracting in photos.
Mom
Styling Tips for
Dresses and skirts tend to photograph beautifully and flatter every body type, especially on camera. I recommend choosing a dress over pants or shorts for your session when possible, as it helps create a timeless and effortless look, but if jeans are more your style - go for it!
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Flowy, full length dresses and skirts work especially well because they add natural movement and softness to your images. Fabrics like chiffon, tulle, or other lightweight materials are ideal since they move beautifully with wind, walking, or simple motion with your kids.
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When choosing length, consider how much you will be moving around with little ones. Shorter cocktail length dresses can look stunning, but if you are chasing toddlers or holding babies, a midi or floor length dress is often more practical and still photographs beautifully. The key is finding something that feels comfortable, functional, and beautiful all at the same time.
Favorite Shops
Amazon
ASOS
Anthropologie
Target
Azazie
Altar'd Estate
Morning Lavender
Red Dress Boutique
Lulu's
Baltic Born
Nordstrom Rack
Von Maur
Accessories
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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in when you’re coordinating with a group. Belts, headbands, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention.
Although it might seem counter-intuitive, I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone or a real tan will photograph the most beautifully and naturally.
Hair & Makeup
The last thing you want to worry about while having your pictures taken is how your hair and makeup look. Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup, and they also tend to hold up better for humidity and wind.
Styling Tips for
The Kiddos
Comfort is key when styling little ones for your family session. Happy, comfortable kiddos always photograph best, so choose outfits they can easily move and play in.
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Stick to soft, neutral, or muted tones that coordinate with the rest of the family without matching exactly. Simple textures and delicate patterns like florals, knits, linen, or subtle stripes photograph beautifully.
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Try to avoid bright neon colors, large logos, graphics, or character clothing when possible, as they can be distracting in photos. Layers like sweaters, cardigans, bows, suspenders, or jackets can add beautiful texture and variety.
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Most importantly, let your kids still look and feel like themselves! Their personalities and little quirks are part of what makes these memories so special.
Prepping Your Child
Before your session, pack a small bag with snacks, water, and a few simple items like toys or lollipops. These can help grab your child’s attention when it is time to look at the camera.
If your children are old enough to understand, it can also help to prepare them ahead of time. Talk with them about what the session will be like and why it is meaningful to you.
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You may also want to plan a fun reward for after the session, such as:
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Ice cream
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A small treat
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A fun family activity
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This can help encourage good listening and cooperation.
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A few other helpful tips:
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Make sure everyone has a full belly before arriving
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Try to ensure kids are well rested
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Bring any comfort items they may need
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Once you have prepared them physically and mentally, give both your children and yourself grace. They are little, and not every moment will go as planned.
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I have seen it all, and I will always work to capture beautiful images regardless of moods or behavior. My goal is to make this experience as fun, relaxed, and stress free as possible for your family!
Prepping with Pets
Pets are such an important part of the family, and I love when they are included in sessions. Just keep in mind that bringing a pet usually means we will need to choose a pet friendly location. Just like with young children, we will go with the flow in what your pet is giving us. Sometimes dogs can be uncomfortable getting their photo taken, too! Don't stress if they aren't cooperating the way you envisioned.
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A few helpful tips when bringing your pet:
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Plan for your pet to join the first part of the session. If possible, arrange for a friend or family member to pick them up or take them home after, have someone available to hold or help with your pet between photos if you they can't be off leash, roped up or hangout in the car.
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Please bring a neutral colored leash/collar if your pet needs a lead.
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This helps keep the session smooth while still getting those sweet moments with your pet.
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Before the session, I also recommend:
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Giving your pet a good walk or exercise beforehand (sometimes dogs need just as much warming up as kids! So, I'm totally okay with getting acquainted with your pet before we start)
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Bringing their favorite toys and treats for attention.
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Let me know key words they love ("treat", "walk", etc)
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Grooming them ahead of time, depending on their coat type. Event a quick brush makes a difference!
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These small steps help your pet feel more relaxed and make the session easier for everyone involved.
FAQ
Q: Do you bring props?
My lifestyle and family sessions are all about telling an honest story of your family, so I like to keep props to a minimum. All we really need is you and your family to tell that story.
Depending on the location, I will usually bring a blanket or quilt that we can use if it fits the setting.
If you have any questions about including specific items or props, feel free to reach out. I am always open to incorporating meaningful pieces into your session when it makes sense.
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Q: What do we do in case of bad weather?
If the weather is not favorable, such as rain or extreme cold or heat, we will plan to reschedule. I will reach out with available options if that is needed.
I typically wait until the day of the session to make a final call, since weather can change quickly.
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Q: What else should I know?
A few helpful tips to help your session run smoothly:
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Relax and enjoy the experience
It is normal to feel a little stressed about how kids will behave, but they often feed off your energy. If you set a tone that this is going to be fun, relaxed, and positive, they will usually follow along. -
Expect a mix of poses and candid moments
I will always capture a few traditional “everyone smile and look at the camera” images, but I also focus heavily on natural, honest moments. Some of the best images come from playing, exploring, and simply loving on your kids. -
Snacks can help if needed
Bringing snacks or small incentives can be helpful if your child needs extra encouragement, but they are not always necessary. Use them only if it feels right for your family.
After Your Session
Once your session is over, you can expect your final digital gallery within 21 to 30 business days, with sneak peeks delivered within 5 business days.
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You will receive high resolution, fully edited images that are ready to download through an online gallery and enjoy anywhere.
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Your contract includes details about printing and sharing rights, so you can easily share your images with family and friends. You will receive an email with your gallery link, and I will also resend this information for convenience.
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You will also have the option to order professional prints and products directly through your online gallery. You can also create a custom photo album through Northern Roots Design Studio, so please feel free to ask me about this option!
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I highly recommend printing through high quality print labs. The only way I can guarantee 100 percent color accuracy and quality is by printing through my lab, but you do have permission to print wherever you choose.
Thank you so much for allowing me to capture this special time in your family’s life. It truly means so much to me.