Preparation Tips

I do not want you to feel that you are anything less than perfect, so... for that reason, I do not use photoshop (lightroom on the other hand is my bff). It always makes me sad to hear "I am so awkward on camera!" and "My 3 year old's smile is weird, sorry!" Guess what? Everyone feels awkward in front of the camera, and no 3 year old's smile could possibly be weird! I will accept you as you are, and I want you to do the same.

That being said, having your picture taken can be uncomfortable if you are not accustomed to it (I have Mason take my picture all the time, and I still feel weird!). In order to alleviate your discomfort, I have compiled a list of things that might help you feel better on the day of our photoshoot!

Clothing

Wear what makes you feel like the best version of you, and the most comfortable in your skin. These are special moments that we are capturing, and I want you to feel special on the day of.
Make sure your clothing is relatively wrinkle-free. Wrinkled clothing does not photograph very well.
If you are going to bring a change of clothing, make sure that your outfits reflect different styles. For example: if you start in a dressier outfit, bring a second more casual outfit to try out, or maybe even bring a formal.
Make sure that you have tried on your clothing and that you feel great in it. If you have not tried on the outfit, bring a second outfit that you have tried on and love, just in case!
Extra outfits should be stored on hangers- this will keep them wrinkle-free.
As a rule of thumb, if you feel great in the outfit, you will feel more confident, and it will reflect well on camera.

Grooming

Chapstick, chapstick, chapstick! Make sure that your lips are well hydrated. For some people that might mean wearing your favorite lipstick, and for others (like me) it might mean wearing chapstick for a more makeup-free look.
Nail Polish: Either make sure that your nail is completely polished, or completely unpolished. Either one photographs well, but the "I haven't done my nails in 3 weeks but there is still the part that I haven't peeled off yet" look does not photograph well... Don't worry, I am guilty of leaving my nail polish on a little too long too, so I will keep some nail polish remover on hand if you need it.
If you have time, practice your look! It is always fun to try a new hairstyle, so try a couple and choose the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself! Make sure you snap a couple pictures before you pick one, just so you know what you like, and what you don't like on camera.
I love photographing your natural beauty, so if you want to rock your natural hair, or a makeup-free face, rock it!

Posing

This is an area where I struggle on camera. I never know what to do with my body, so I will try to help guide you for what picks up well on the camera.
Try practicing a few poses in the mirror! It will feel silly, but it makes a difference. When you practice poses, you get a feel for what feels good to you.
Make a Pinterest board. I find a lot of inspiration on Pinterest by searching "family poses for 5" or "engagement and bridal poses" or "newborn announcements". These pull up beautiful images, and if you make a board and share it with me, I will be able to get a better idea for what you want your pictures to look like! Here are a couple Pinterest boards that i have put together for
Another place where I find inspiration is on Instagram. Tag me in the comment section of images that you like! It will help me get an idea for your style, and give me inspiration for shoots later on.