Portrait Session Guide
Long Island Wedding Photographer
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Here you will find everything you need to know about how to prepare and what to expect for you portrait session. Please read this all through when you first receive it and a day or two before your shoot. The more prepared you are, the better this session is going to be. And prepare to have a lot of fun, move around a bit, and if you chose a beach location, maybe even get a bit wet!
SESSION FLOW:
We’ll start with more structured prompts and ease into relaxed, playful moments as everyone warms up. Breaks for kids, snacks, or cuddles are always welcome.
WHAT TO WEAR:
I have prepared a "Wardrobe Guide" that you can access at any time by visiting this link:
https://www.https://www.amyleighphotographyli.co m/wardrobe-guide/
This guide will help you to choose outfits that will make everyone look good and feel good! If you ever have any questions, or need help or opinions, don't hesitate to reach out, I'm happy to help!
WHAT TO AVOID:
- Neon colors or bold logos
- Large graphics or characters
- Matching outfits exactly (think coordinating, not identical)
- Tiny patterns that can photograph poorly
- Apple Watches / fitness trackers (unless intentional)
HOW TO PREPARE:
There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures! Avoid foods the day before your shoot that make you feel bloated (fast food, foods that are high in salt or fat or sugar). Trust me, being bloated is not going to make you feel pretty during your shoot. Speaking of food, keep it light the morning of as well. For children, make sure they are well fed, hydrated, and rested before the shoot. Bring non-mess snacks. Avoid gummies, chocolate, or crumbly items, instead opt for cheerios, raisins, even mini marshmallows, white cheese (in case it gets stuck in their teeth), or a promise for a bigger treat later… I am not above bribery. Make sure everything is all ready the day before so you aren’t scrounging up your clothes once everyone gets home from work/school, you don’t want to be flustered before your shoot Don’t get your hair cut/colored right before the shoot, the best time to do it is about a week to two weeks before. Try on your outfit a couple days before the shoot, you want to make sure that you still feel great in it. If you don’t feel great, change it up! Talk to your kids about the session before. It’s best not to surprise them with it, if they know what’s coming they can prepare themselves (even children as little as 2 need some warning). You can show them my picture and tell them that a silly friend is coming to take their pictures, but not to worry because they aren’t going to have to sit and smile for an hour.
WHAT TO BRING:
You may not need all or any of these items, but it's always best to have them on hand or in the car, just in case Water bottles (especially for those summer sessions, it gets hot!)
A brush, hairspray, and/or gel. Do you trust your hair to stay how you want it for 1-2 hours? I definitely don’t trust mine but you’re the one who is in front of the camera!
On that same note, bring a little makeup bag for touch ups. Make sure to include some type of towel in case anyone gets too sweaty.
A change of clothes. You never know what might happen (spit up, accident, or literally anything, because well...they're kids) so it doesn't hurt to have a back up
Comfortable shoes!
Bug spray
Favorite toys that might help me to get their attention
Snacks are always a helpful bribe
TIPS & TRICKS:
kay, now that you are ready for your photo shoot, I have some great extra tips and tricks for you! This will help you with my shooting style and give you an idea of how your session is going to go. I do my very best to make sure all your pictures don’t look “posed.” Instead, I will give you a direction or a pose and tell you what to do and then you can feel free to make it your own. Never. stop. moving. Seriously, the more movement you give me, the more pictures you are going to get. When I give you a direction and you stand still, you are going to get one shot from that pose. But if you take my direction and move around, you’ll get so much more variety. Don’t worry though, you’ll get the hang of it while we’re shooting! This style of photography works so well with kids because sometimes they don’t even realize they are getting their pictures taken! Feel free to take any liberties with any of the directions I give you, kisses, hugs, tickles are all welcome at any time. We’re going to get really silly. I will be making a fool of myself all in the name of getting your kids to laugh and I expect silliness on their end, and that’s okay! I want to encourage as much personality as I can and I suggest you do the same. Try not to think of this as a photo session, think of it as a family date and you just happen to look great and be getting your picture taken at the same time. If you are uncomfortable in any of the poses or actions, always tell me and we'll stop and adjust. If you’re uncomfortable then the pictures look forced and we do not want that. Be yourself! Remember, these are pictures of you so don’t try to be like that person from Pinterest. We will try a number of shots and not all of them will turn out and that’s okay. The ones that do turn out will be the most natural and beautiful versions of you and your family. It is really important to arrive on time. We are booking your session according to the light so we may be limited, it's often a race with the sun! It's best to plan to arrive a little early. I can't wait to capture your family.
WEATHER & RESCHEDULING:
f weather conditions are unsafe or unsuitable (heavy rain, strong winds, storms), we will reschedule. Overcast days are beautiful and photograph wonderfully, so cloudy skies alone are not a reason to reschedule.
For the months July -November: Weekend sunset sessions require a $300 retainer to reserve the date. The full $300 is applied toward your session balance. As with all sessions, retainers are non-refundable. The difference with weekend sunset sessions is that if you choose to cancel or reschedule, $150 of the retainer becomes non-transferable and is forfeited. The remaining $150 can be applied to a future date. If weather ends up being an issue or I need to cancel for any reason, your full retainer would of course be transferred to the new date.
FINAL PAYMENTS:
Final Payments are due on the day of the session. Payment can be submitted through Cash (preferred), Venmo, Zelle or check. Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% fee.
IMAGE DELIVERY:
You can expect your proofing gallery within 2 weeks. The proofing gallery are preliminary images and not the final edits, but I will edit a few examples so you can see what the final images will look like. They will clearly be labeled “Edited”. You can purchase additional images at $20 each or the entire album at a reduced price. To select your favorites, simply click the heart icon on the images you love.
Final edits include: cropping, background smoothing, skin smoothing, teeth whitening, and correcting any other imperfections in the image.
You have 2 weeks to select your images, after which the gallery will automatically expire. After this time, a $25 fee will apply to have your gallery re-uploaded.
Please note that during busy seasons, this fee will be strictly enforced.
Your gallery will include a curated selection of the best images from your session, edited in my signature style.
Once your selections are finalized, please share them with me. Within the next two weeks, you will receive a new link containing your fully edited, unwatermarked images.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The most beautiful photos come from connection, not perfection. Let your kids be kids, love on each other hard, and trust me to take care of the rest. I can’t wait to capture this season of your life.
LET'S MAKE IT OFFICIAL!
Let’s create something beautiful together. I’d love to learn more about you and what you’re dreaming up for your big day.