- Try to have your kids (and yourself), rested, fed and happy. If someone’s not having a good day, we understand and are more than happy to reschedule if necessary. We reckon good photos come from feeling good and having fun and that is what we are aiming for with your photo shoot.
- Bring hair brushes, wipes, drinks and a snack. If possible, have your child’s hair cut or trimmed at least a week before the shoot if necessary. A fresh hair cut the day before rarely looks good.
- Clothing should be comfortable and attractive; it certainly doesn’t have to be new. Bring several variations on clothing, thee options is great.
- Neutral colours or soft muted colours often work really well. Grays, tans, creams and slate blues are just some examples. Avoid strong overpowering patterns such as stripes or cheques. We want the kids to be the focus of the images, not that psychedelic jumper. Avoid logos or writing if possible. Complimentary colours almost always work well. Dark clothes can vanish into the background. Try to avoid black.
- Props are great with kids, especially if they are relevant. Think of favourite toys or books, a pair of braces on the boys or a floral crown for the girls. Be creative! Create a theme that represents the characteristics of your child.
- Studio and outdoors. I like to shoot some of both and here’s why. Firstly, studio photos can be precisely controlled. This means we can adjust the light and shadow to create exactly the type of image we want, with light in the eyes and the focus squarely on our subjects, the kids. Outdoor photos bring that natural look that we all love. The green grass, trees and plants and the colour of the natural light. By shooting both studio and natural light, I love to bring the best of both worlds to my clients.
Above all, have fun! These tips and advice are designed to help produce the best images on the day but we also want to have a fun time that you will look back on with fondness.