Blue Hill Images

Blue Hill Images

2019 Session Guide | Families at Home

Hello there!

It’s almost time for your photo session! I can’t wait to spend some time with your family and have some fun capturing your unique personalities. Before our session, there are a few things you should know so we can get the most out of session and make it as amazing as possible.

Preparing for your Session

Make sure everyone is well-rested and fed before you the session. Hide most of the clutter, but don’t stress out about making the house look perfect! We can move things around, and dirt doesn’t show in pictures, so just relax and don’t worry too much. If anyone is grumpy, or doesn’t want me around, don’t worry! Keep your cool, and everything will be great. I will take care of everything. Since we are in your familiar space, everyone usually settles into the session in the end. I get that sometimes photos can be stressful. I promise, this session will be fun and easy, if you just relax and be yourselves. I will guide you into some lightly posed moments, and then we will watch them unfold into your own stories.

Styling Tips for your Session

THE BEST SUGGESTION THAT I CAN OFFER YOU IS TO BE YOURSELVES. Choose a wardrobe that is comfortable for everyone. Choose clothing that reflects your style and feels natural at home. New outfits are amazing and can make you feel really great, but you may have most of what you need already. I like to tell moms to find your outfit first, and then coordinate all the other clothes with yours. Neutral colors are beautiful and classic, but it’s ok to mix subtle prints and color in too!

Color

Coordination is great, matching exactly is not. As you choose coordinating colors, try not to have one person glaringly stand out. If most of you are in tan or blue and one person is in bright pink, all eyes will go to them! It is helpful to think about how the colors would look in black and white. Is one person wearing the only dark, or the only light color? Use layers to fix those problems!

Be Comfortable

Everyone has their own style, so every session will look and feel different. Choose outfits that are flattering, but do not make you self-conscious. If you’re a jeans and t-shirt kind of person, this is probably not the best time to decide to wear a tight fitting cocktail dress. I find that flowy dresses for moms, casual button-downs or t-shirts with khaki pants for dads, and simple and comfortable clothes for kids always makes for an easy session. Don’t try new shoes on kids for the first time that day.

Clothing Changes

Some families like to be in PJs for part of the session so the morning routine can be part of the session, and snuggling in bed seems more natural. Clothing changes are easy when we are in your home, and as long as there aren’t too many, that’s fine!

What to Expect

Our session will be one to two hours long. When I get to your home, we will walk around the house and decide which rooms we will use, and run through the order of session and any activities. Don’t worry about posing, smiling, keeping kids in line, or doing what’s “right.” I’ll take care of everything as I capture you as you are, and direct you into natural moments.

After your session, I will prepare your online gallery. This generally takes two to three weeks. Once your gallery is complete, I will email you a link where you can view and download all images (printable up to 5x7). This gallery may be shared with whoever you’d like. You may then choose to order albums, prints, full resolution files, or any additional products. You are welcome to print images yourself, but I do guarantee quality when I print from my favorite professional labs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit to the number of family members per session?

Nope! Family members are unlimited. We may take a bit longer than one hour with families with lots of children. Extended family sessions usually 2 hours long.

Can we shoot outside?

Yes! If the weather is nice, we will go outside and use your front porch, the spaces in and around your yard, and even take a walk down the street if we feel like it! This session is meant to include all the places you feel most comfortable and spend time with your family.

Do you retouch my photos?

I like to keep the photos clean and natural looking. If anything looks out of place or distracting during the editing process, I will fix it! If you have requests for major changes or head swaps, there is an additional editing fee that will be applied.

Why Film?

I shoot mainly film because I’ve found that it not only provides the most beautiful results, especially in print, but because it creates a more relaxed experience during the session for the families I work with. I am able to connect more and shoot less, which provides more authentic images. I love the beautiful natural colors, fine art quality of the photos, and nostalgic feeling that film provides that digital just can’t replicate. I do, however, often bring a digital camera to my sessions just to take a few backups, and all images are delivered as digital files.

Do you only shoot candids?

I always provide a combination of both posed portraits and candid moments. Although I always try to get the “money shot” where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera, it is not my focus in the session. I always strive to capture images that get to the heart of your family and relationships. I love personality and fun, and I think it’s fun to mix in creative shots with more traditional poses. I’m also a huge fan of close up portraits, and I always take individual portraits as well as smaller group photos, and basically every combo I can think of!

Focus on your Family

I know photos can feel awkward and no one really knows what to do in front of a camera. I am there to put the focus on your family, so you do the same! Just relax, chase your kids and kiss them, hug your spouse, snuggle, never say “cheese,” and just try to forget I’m even there. I’ll make sure you know what to do.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to reach out to me at any time. You can run wardrobe options by me, send me photos of your home in different light, talk through activity options, or anything else you’re worried about. I will probably tell you not to stress three times every time we talk. I want this to be about your family right now, and I’m pretty sure “perfect” is not a word most people would use to describe their family. So let that idea go, and just be YOU. We’ll make some memories and have lots of fun and get some gorgeous images in the process, I promise.