PREPARING FOR YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION
Your portrait session is about more than what you wear or how your hair looks. It’s about creating images that feel like you—beautiful, authentic, and full of the people and connections you love most.
A little preparation beforehand will help you feel confident, relaxed, and completely present during your session. These are some of my favorite tips to help you feel your very best.
GET THE LOOK
When choosing your wardrobe, think coordinated rather than matching. Your family doesn’t need to wear the same colors or identical outfits. Instead, choose a beautiful palette of one to three complementary colors that work naturally together.
A wonderful way to begin is with a foundation color and then build around it with one or two accent colors. Soft neutrals, warm earth tones, creams, muted blues, and timeless textures photograph beautifully and help keep the focus where it belongs—on you and the people you love.
Most importantly, wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you don’t feel like yourself in what you’re wearing, it can show in your photographs. Choose pieces that allow you to move, embrace, laugh, and simply be together.
Layer It Up
Layers are one of my favorite ways to add depth and personality to your portraits. Sweaters, jackets, cardigans, scarves, and beautiful fabrics can create visual interest without feeling overly styled.
Don't be afraid of subtle patterns and textures, either. A delicate pattern, a beautiful knit, leather details, or a favorite piece of jewelry can add just the right amount of character.
And remember—the little things matter.
Belts, jewelry, scarves, shoes, and other personal touches can turn a beautiful outfit into one that feels distinctly you.
Before your session, please make sure all clothing is freshly pressed or steamed. A few extra minutes of preparation can make a meaningful difference in your final images.
HAIR
If you’re planning a haircut, trim, color, or other hair service, I recommend scheduling it at least one week before your session.
This gives your hair time to settle and allows for any adjustments or finishing touches before your portrait day.
If you’re considering professional hair and makeup, I wholeheartedly encourage it. Not only can it photograph beautifully, but it also gives you an opportunity to slow down, be pampered, and take a little time for yourself before your session.
I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some incredibly talented hair and makeup artists and would be happy to recommend professionals whose work I know, trust, and love.
WAXING
If you plan to have any facial waxing done, please schedule it at least 24 hours before your session.
Giving your skin a little extra time to settle can help minimize redness, irritation, or bumps that can sometimes occur after waxing.
The goal is simple: beautiful, comfortable, happy skin when you arrive.
NAIL CARE
Your hands may appear in more photographs than you realize—holding your partner’s hand, wrapping your arms around your children, adjusting a little one's hair, or simply sharing a quiet moment together.
For that reason, I recommend making sure everyone's nails are clean, neat, and well manicured before your session.
And if you’re planning to go barefoot, don’t forget about your toes, too.
These details may seem small, but they are part of what makes a finished portrait feel polished and timeless.
MOST OF ALL, COME AS YOU ARE
You don’t need to know how to pose.
You don’t need to be a professional model.
You don’t need to worry about whether your children will sit still or whether everyone will behave perfectly.
That’s where I come in.
My job is to guide you, gently direct you when needed, and create an environment where you can relax and simply be together.
Your job is to show up and love your people.
Laugh with them. Hold them close. Let your children be silly. Kiss your partner. Enjoy the little moments. Forget about the camera and allow yourself to be fully present.
Those are the moments I’m looking for.
Because years from now, I want you to look at your photographs and remember far more than what everyone was wearing or how perfectly everyone was posed.
I want you to remember how it felt to be there.
The little hands in yours.
The laughter you almost forgot.
The way your child looked at you.
The warmth of an embrace.
The love that filled that particular season of your life.
Those are the memories worth preserving.
And it is my greatest honor to help you hold onto them.
