Portraits and Families:
It’s time for your shoot! Hopefully your outfits are all picked out, the weather is good, we’ve touched base about where to meet, I’ve sent you an invoice and you’ve got your payment ready. What actually happens?
- For starters, you’ll spy this chubby woman probably in jeans and a black tshirt with a big black backpack of a camera bag and possibly blue or purple hair. That’s me! I don’t dress up for shoots because I’m often sitting in the dirt or laying in grass or trampling all over kingdom come. If it’s a busy shooting day and you aren’t my first clients, I’ll probably have dirt on my knees, a wild messy up-do, flushed cheeks and an adrenaline high because I honestly love what I do. Or I’ve had a LOT of iced coffee. Hard to tell sometimes.
- We’ll take a few minutes to get to know each other. Introduce me to your family, the kids especially. Even the dog if he/she has come along! I’m terrible with names but do my best to remember the kids.
- We’ll start off taking a few snaps. Sometimes these just get tossed entirely when I’m on the computer because everyone is often stiff and awkward. No worries! We’re just warming up.
- Next we’ll mosey about, posing here and there depending on the location. I always choose spots outdoors that have some sort of architectural element – stone walls, a pergola, fences, big rocks, etc. If we’re at your home we may explore the yard, the front steps, the back deck, whatever you’ve got.
- I will take pics of you and your family in any arrangement and combo you want. Kids together, kids individually. Parents alone, boys, girls, whatever.
- Relax! No need to obsess about every little detail and hover over your kids. I find that tends to make them more self concious, even the little ones. Do as much as you can *before* to make them ready:
- hairspray, smoothing gel, and if it’s windy, hair clips or braids or something to keep hair out of faces.
- clothes that fit – aka pants on little guys that aren’t going to be falling down every two seconds or sleeves cuffed so we aren’t losing hands at every turn.
- Drool, crumbs, boogers, some fly away hairs…98% of that can be photoshopped out. I’d rather not lose momentum and happy smiles to stop and wipe or re-arrange!
- If we’re working with smaller kiddos, we will move fast. I’m a mom, I know how those attention spans can wander. We might tell a few poop and fart jokes which always gets the giggles out. I’m a strange new grown up and I said “poop!” Apparently this is often found to be utterly hilarious. I’m also not above bribing your kids with M&M’s. There’s a whole gang of preschoolers that know me as the lady at the park with the M&M’s and have memories like an elephant even though I only see them once a year. Not an M&M family? Feel free to slip me a treat of your choice before our shoot.
- If we’re doing senior pics, headshots, or a couples shoot of some sort we’ll take our time in order to get the best poses. I don’t expect everyone who comes to know how to pose or feel like a natural in front of the camera. All I ask is that you take a deep breath, relax, and put your trust in me to guide you.
Events:
- A lot will depend on the size of your event. If we’re in the yard or a park, much about how I operate will mimic a family shoot (but I’ll wear my nice work clothes I promise – ha!).
- Anything longer than 2 hours will require a non-refundable deposit and signing of a fairly standard contract. We’ll get into more details when you contact me for booking.
- Ahead of time we will meet (in person if possible) to go over with you what shoots you want – all the different combos of family groupings, as well as any special requests. Also to get a feel for you and the look you have in mind for your event. We’ll also walk through the order of events and any surprises that might be in store. I’m a very good secret keeper, but if you want your surprise documented I need to know about it so I can be prepared!
- If there is a ceremony, we will check with whomever is in charge of the space (wedding planner, officiant, etc.) for any rules on photography during the service. This is important to know ahead of time because depending on the size of the space or restrictions on photographers I may consider renting a lens not in my kit.
- If we’re in a reception space chances are my home base will be with either the DJ or behind the bar. I’ll keep my camera bag and step stool back there but extra batteries in my pockets so I’m ready. DJ’s are used to the photographer hovering behind them at times. We all have a symbiotic relationship for sure. Also yes, I often bring a step stool with me. I’m short-ish. There’s some great shots to be had when you can change your point of view and be seven feet tall instead of five foot four.
- I am fairly stealthy and will hover around the edges to get candids between planned moments. You can remind your guests that you have hired a professional but I’m sure that will still barely put a dent in the phones poking out trying to get the best shot. Regardless, it gives some understanding when I have to pull out the stern teacher looks to get them to move.