Preparation Guide
family session
family portrait session
— With love, Kass
I'm so grateful for you're here and that I will have the opportunity to photograph your family this season.
Preparing for a family session can seem slightly daunting and at times really challenging. From what to wear to what to bring, this prep guide will offer tips and solutions to help you as your portrait session approaches. I hope that it serves as a helpful resource that also encourages & inspires you.
I'd also love to help you personally, so please let me know if I can help!
I'm Kassandra
Welcome
Keep reading for more details on how to prepare for your family session, what to wear, bringing pets, location ideas, and more.
My family sessions are all about connection! The smile on your face while you look at your kids, daddy's hands holding your little ones, the smiles, the giggle and all the moments in between!
I will guide your family every step of the way to achieve not only beautiful portraits but beautiful moments for you to cherish forever.
In this guide you will find helpful tips on outfits and information on
how to prepare your family. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask I'm here to help!
After your session I will cull and edit your photos. Your gallery is typical ready within 2-3 weeks of your session. You will receive a link to your private gallery, then it's time to enjoy them!
preparation
preparing for your family session
I know how stressful preparing for a family session is. It's a big investment, sometimes theres a bit of travel involved, finding complimentary outfits can be a challenge and anticipating how your children will behave isn't always simple. When it comes to my family, I have experienced all of the ups and downs. I've learned over time the best disposition is one of grace toward your children. Let it be a light hearted and playful family tradition. If your little ones associate family photos with the holidays and annual traditions it can, and should be a happy memory and hopefully a happy part of their childhood they will look back on with fondness.
I know all children are different. Some are shy, some are very enthusiastic, and some don’t want their photos taken at all. Some children need more time to warm up, while others don’t.
You know your children the best, and please let me know before our session if there is anything you feel I need to know about your children.
Feel free to use incentives (a great gift to all mothers). Often, smaller rewards throughout the session work better than a big reward at the end. Like a grape after a few clicks of the camera, this helps the little ones maintain focus.
As I said, you know your children the best and if you feel that a reward after the session can work on them, go for it.
But most important is that you try to excite the children as much as possible before the session and not give any exhortations.
How to Prep the Kids
"Light turns the ordinary into the magical."
No matter the season, in our experience we have found that timing your engagement session for when the sun is the least harsh throughout the day—either around two hours before sunset or the first two hours after sunrise—creates the best lighting for photos, which is why it is extremely important to be on time to our session.
My favorite time to begin sessions is a few hours before sunset. Golden hour makes for the dreamiest photos.
Timing and Lighting
THE BEST TIME TO TAKE PHOTOS
I recommend encouraging your children so that they have fond memories of their family photos. It can be a stressful experience to prepare for, but for the session make sure they know, they're not being forced to be there, they are there because they are loved and valued, and their place in their family is cherished and uniquely theirs.
Don't Forget to Make it Fun
Drink lots of water, bring a pair of flats for walking in between locations, bring fun snacks and your child's favorite stuffy.
Don't Leave Helpful Items Behind
Your family is lovely, and your session is going to be great. Be present with your family and enjoy the moment you have with them.
Don't Forget to Relax
preparing dont's
I know this isn't easy because babies never sleep when we want them to. But try to come to the session with children that have eaten and are rested.
Feed and Sleep the Babies
Plan your clothes in advance. And make sure that both you and the daddy are comfortable with what you will wear. If you have any questions about how to match the family, feel free to email me.
Plan the Outfits
Forget all your worries and focus on the memorable moment you will have with your family.
Be Excited!
preparing do's
Even if your daughter wants to have her favorite
t-shirt with Frozen's Elsa because that is the most beautiful t-shirt she has. I would discourage it. Prints and cartoons are distracting and make the photos less timeless. Such attire is endearing a perfect for more day to day images, but I would not recommend them for annual family photos.
Avoid busy prints and opt for timeless looks
syling tips
Soft Colors
syling tips
Using soft earthy colors removes distractions, and the feelings between you and your family members will be the central part of the pictures.
Patterns
syling tips
Patterns should be timeless and complimentary. An elegant floral or large scale plaid can be great. Smaller plaid prints and thin stripes cause distortion in the image and should be avoided.
Something worth mentioning is that long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera as they add movement to your clothing and tends to be very flattering and natural-looking.
Fabrics and Layers
syling tips
No one wants to freeze or look too warm during their session. You should be dressed in a way that is in line with the weather. If the location is the beach, barefoot works better than stilettos.
Dress for the Season and Location
syling tips
This is mainly for the dads. Cellphones, keys, and other items are nothing we want to see through the pockets.
Empty Your Pockets
syling tips
When it comes to colors, the goal is to complement each other instead of match. As it can be challenging to know what colors work well together and create harmony in the pictures, you can see a couple of color palettes here.
You can pick the one that feels most like you and use it when planning your outfit.
Color palettes
I love Spring sessions because they come around Easter & Mother's Day, a time when families love to celebrate, and share family photos. It's a time when we think on the relationships we have and cherish them a little extra.
Fresh blooms and airy strolls through the park.
spring
Summer sessions mean light and airy dresses, sunset walks, berry picking and dazzling sunsets.
Warm sunset walks on the beach. Tans and sun dresses.
summer
Fall is definitely a fan favorite for Writer & Beloved Photography families. It's a season full of nostalgia and warmth. The fall leaves and the crips air make for a sweet overall time and setting for photos.
Fall foliage, dreamy lighting, and romance in the air.
Autumn
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Magical snow, snuggling close, winter wonderlands.
winter
For example, moody leaves and foliage in the fall or bright and colorful florals in the spring. Styling outfits and choosing props will become easier after you have decided on a theme. Shoot times will vary from season to season.
let the seasons guide the theme
Below are some favorite locations on the East Coast, however, the best session locations are often meaningful to our individual families.
Locations
East Coast Locations
A Scenic Winery, Longwood Gardens, The Rodin Museum, Central Park
sophisticated & timeless
Ridley Creek State Park
the great outdoors
Untermyer Garden, Old City Philly, Princeton
architectural
Cape May, Port Jefferson, Cape Cod, South Street Seaport
by the sea
Check the weather in the days leading up to your session. If humidity will be high, remember to use products that will help keep the flyaway down. A fresh blowout, a low pony tail or bun, loose beachy waves, or braids- can all be good options so that you won't have to think about your hair during your session.
Makeup should be whatever you love, how ever little or much.
For the rest of the family, I encourage fresh haircuts for the fellas and a simple combing. And for the girls a simple combing and whatever hairstyle parents and child desire.
Feeling Comfortable is Key
hair & makeup
Avoid all of you having the same color at the top and bottom. It's better to have colors that are working together than to use the same ones.
Matching
Mainly because it steals all attention but also because it creates color casts. If you wear bright green, there is a big chance that your skin will look green.
Bright Colors
Tiny flowers on a cute dress are lovely. I'm talking about patterns that are all over the place here. It will only be a distraction. And also, please try to avoid small stripes. Cameras find that very confusing, and the result won't always look good.
Crazy Patterns and Cartoon Characters
STYLING dont's
Many small things bring a good photo together. Being relaxed, thoughtful styles, and approaching the session in an honest and loving way, will bring out the beauty of who you all are when you're together. Embrace authenticity in every choice.
Authenticity is Magnetic
This is because it's less distracting. The only thing that you want to see in your pictures is your love. It's also most flattering as it won't bring any color casts on you. And it will make your photos last a lifetime.
Choose Soft Colors
If you feel uncomfortable, you will look uncomfortable; that is nothing that can be fixed afterward.
Wear Clothes that Make you Feel Comfortable
Styling do's
My favorite shopping resources to look your best during your session.
shopping Guide
places to shop for the family
To get extra inspiration for your outfits, I have put together a Pinterest Board full of inspiration so that you can quickly see how colors and different types of clothes work together.
You can access the Pinterest Board via the link below.
Inspiration
visuals are always helpful
"When we have each other, we have everything."
I will make sure you're looking your best at all times—keeping an eye on your hair and makeup and the layers of your clothing—I've got you covered!
If you're worried about not knowing what to do with your hands or how to pose—don't be! I will guide you through everything.
posing
"We have done family photos with Kass for two years in a row and we'll never stop working with her. She is creative, kind and patient, as well as quick and efficient (super important with restless little kids!). She has a great eye, the photos always come out beautifully, and she turns around edits SO QUICKLY."
"She has a great eye, the photos always come out beautifully"
kind words from our clients
I get so excited when couples want to include their pets in their family session! After many pet-friendly sessions, we have a few tips and tricks to share.
Including your pet in your family session means we'll need to choose a pet-friendly location, so keep that in mind when you're choosing the theme and location.
I also encourage couples to bring your pets favorite treats, groom them beforehand if necessary, and give them plenty of exercise prior to our session.
Since your pet likely won't be in every photo, we always begin the session with your pet and then recommend either dropping them off, having a friend either watch over them or take them home for the remaining time of our session.
We love your furry family members.
pets
As a backup for potential bad weather or rain, I will always make sure to provide further dates for rescheduling or provide a full refund.
Scheduling and Weather
what if the weather is bad and it rains?
- Extra clothes. When children are involved you never know what can happen. I highly recommend getting the littles dressed on location!
- Wet wipes. Because anything can happen...
- Favorite toy/stuffed animal. If extra comfort is needed. If possible, avoid anything with bright colors in case they will be shown in some photos.
- A small snack. If the energy drops and preferably something dryer that doesn't leave spots and stains easily. But avoid raisins and similar as it sticks to the teeth.
- Touch-up makeup. For mama if needed.
Packing List
a checklist of things to remember
Online Gallery Delivered
six weeks
Blog Post With Highlights
four weeks
Social Media Sneak Peek
two weeks
when to expect your family session photos
My keepsake boxes are usually reserved for wedding couples but they're very beautiful and can be purchased upon request and make great print holders for gifts.
The Keepsake Box
My dream for every client is that their images don't stay in digital form but are printed into paper goods that their families can see everyday in their homes and for years in photo albums and prints. You can order prints directly from my print shop via your gallery.
Matted Prints
To order an album you can schedule a half hour planning call and we can get that album ordered with all of your favorite images for your session.
I recommend albums for newborn & maternity sessions or the My Motherhood Collection.
Heirloom Albums
From prints that become keepsakes and albums that become heirlooms, bring your images to life with the magic of prints. Ordering details will be provided with your gallery.
Heirloom Prints and Albums
Transform your images into timeless treasures
— Kassandra Ortiz
Whenever you are unsure or have a question, let me know.
No question is too small. If you can't decide if you are picking the pink or beige headband for your baby girl, I'm here for you!