Hey there!
I am so excited that you chose me to photograph your family! I am humbled and thrilled to capture these precious memories for you. Please know that my approach is very unscripted, sometimes a bit of high energy, and usually a tad goofy. I am not a huge fan of too posed images. Yes, I will try to get a few good smiling at the camera shots, but I love to also capture emotion, laughter, details, snuggling, and playing.
These family mini sessions will take place at Bourlay Historic Nature Park in Leesburg, FL (off of Canal Street, near the orange juice plant). You drive down Canal and you'll pass a water treatment facility, and then you'll pass one of LRMC's buildings (this is separate from the main hospital), then you will see a fenced in area with an opening straight ahead that's one lane and some woods. Go down there. There will be parking to the right by the historic cracker house. If you don't physically see me, I will be down around the dirt path.
Very Important Things to Know:
These sessions are back to back and there's no time to spare. I can get a ton of images in 15 minutes, but the key is being on time. If you're late for your session, I do not go over on time into the next client's session. I will only shoot during the 15 minutes scheduled for your session. Please know exactly where Bourlay Historic Nature Park is, and arrive early to your scheduled time. Please also know that there will be everything associated with being outdoors (mosquitoes, gnats, fire ants, dirt, bugs, insects, debris, wildlife, etc.). I recommend not wearing sandals, and I recommend wearing bug spray. I love the natural bug spray with citronella in it.
If there is bad weather (storms and rain only, I will shoot if it's cloudy). If the forecast isn't looking good, I will send out emails in the early afternoon, so please be checking your email. My phone number is (352) 455-8015, if you are concerned and want to text me regarding weather questions (please don't call, because I rarely answer my phone, but I will answer a text rather quickly).
Sneak peeks will be within 3 days of your session (if you want a sneak), and images will be ready for proofing within 4 weeks.
What to Wear:
Wardrobe can be so fun, and it can be so stressful. Please ask me any and all questions about wardrobe. Truly, what you wear can make a huge impact on the look of your images. Please avoid anything fluorescent or super bright. These colors can cause color casts on the skin and are pretty impossible to edit to bring the skin back to a normal color (and I do not edit out color casts due to clothing choices). Also, please, please, please do not wear all white matching polos, or all black matching polos with jeans. That used to be very popular, but I like to create timeless images, so let's stray from old fads. Neutrals are perfect. Timeless and classic. Cream, white, brown, khaki, gray, warm gray is super popular and amazing right now, pale colors, mustard is great for the fall, greens and browns are lovely right now (but not too much green, because the whole area is green from the trees). Layering pieces are great. The main thing, be comfortable. These are all my styling opinions. Of course, you don't have to follow any of them, because these are your images and I want you to love them, so please dress comfortably, but please also keep in mind that wardrobe can greatly affect the look of your images. Coordinating is good, matching not so much. Ladies, start with your outfit. Wear something that you feel like a million bucks in. Then build the wardrobe around that. Imagine your family being a complete piece of artwork. Each person and outfit will bring together a feeling of formality and coordination. Think about where you will hang these images in your house, and make sure they flow with where you're wanting to put them.
Tips and Tricks:
Let your kids know that a session with me will be fun. And, if your kid doesn't care and decides to have the meltdown of 2018, I am totally cool with that. I have 4 kids, and I have meltdowns myself, so don't worry. I have yet to have a session where I couldn't get a good gallery due to a child's behavior. And yes, there have been plenty of meltdowns. Don't feel stressed about getting your kids (or husband) to smile. I want you to relax, and let me do my thing. By the way, a serious face in a photo is much more beautiful than a forced smile. I usually get the most genuine smiles when I fake toot, so if I completely mortify myself, it's all for the sake of your pictures. If kids see mom talking happily, they usually feel more relaxed, so try not to be stressed. Also, as you focus on your children during the session, please keep in mind that I will take semi guided images where you are loving and snuggling on your littles, so keep good posture, and try to keep your chin out a bit. These allow for the most flattering images.
Props:
I am not a fan of props and won't be bringing any.
Lovey Dovey:
Yes, I make mom and dad take lovey dovey images, but only if you want to. Please let me know if you don't want to. I can take just the "normal" look at me and smile pose.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have. I look forward to working with you and creating timeless images for you to proudly display.
Warmly,
Brenda