Prepping for a Studio Session | Zionsville Family Photographer
You have booked a studio session and now what? I’m here to assist you every step of the way. This post will cover some helpful tips about dress, prepping kids, planning your session, what to expect, and lastly my address so you know how to get here. There is also a special section about cake smashes if that is included in your session.
DRESS:
- If your entire family is included in the session, coordinate without completely matching. Hey, it is your session, and if you are dead set on everyone wearing white shirts, then by all means, go for it. BUT - I highly discourage it. (: Variety is definitely more interesting. I tell my clients to pick a couple coordinating colors and dress the family in a mix of solids and patterns of these colors. Then maybe add a splash of color (if needed) in a scarf or accessories.
- Wear what you are comfortable in! If you are not comfortable or confident in the clothes are you are wearing - it will show in the photos!
- Bright fluorescent colors are a NO NO! Whether you realize it or not, bright colors will reflect off of skin and clothing, so anyone standing next to that person wearing the hot pink shirt will have hot pink skin. I can't edit that out.
- If you have glasses that don't have the non-glare lenses, you might consider taking them off for the photos as my strobes will reflect in your glasses. If your glasses are must then we’ll work on positioning you to minimize the effect but be aware it will be difficult to eliminate it completely.
- Typically I only take photos of families from the waist up so I’ll ask that you remove your shoes.
- Children -
Make sure the clothes on your little ones fit and they are comfortable in the clothes. If you go out and buy something new, I know it's hard to buy clothes that aren't one size up, because you know they grow so quickly. But baggy clothes will swallow up little ones, especially if they are sitting down.
No shoes - I typically love bare feet for kids in the studio
Babies can show some skin! Shirtless babes or babes in a diaper cover can make great images and allow you to capture that sweet chubbs phase. (:
PLANNING YOUR SESSION:
You can select two different backgrounds for a studio session. Below are my background options and you can let me know which two you would like and which one you would like first.
- For kids I have plenty of crates, bowls, stools, and other props for them to sit on/in.
- Feel free to bring a couple different outfits for babies/little kids.
- No matter the timing of your session, I recommend keeping the kids on a normal schedule for the day. We can plan our session around naps, meals, etc.
- Make sure kids (and you) are fed before the session or at least have had a heavy snack. We all get cranky when we are hungry!
- Plan ahead, set clothes out, check timing/directions, and save my cell number in your phone (765-749-4388). It's hard when clients show up and they are frazzled because they were in such a hurry and the kids are all crazy, etc. I know things come up, but if at all possible, leave plenty of time to get ready, get dressed, and drive to my studio. If you are running a little late - DON'T FRET - it's not going to be detrimental to your session. Just text me to let me know. I would rather you be 10 minutes late and show up relaxed than show up on time with screaming kids.
- Please fill out the questionnaire to help me plan the best session possible.
RESCHEDULING POLICY: If you have a conflict come up, please let me know ASAP. I normally am fine with rescheduling and transferring your deposit to another session.
My Address is 6525 Briarwood Place, Zionsville, IN 46077
AT YOUR SESSION:
- Empty your pockets - no phones, wallets, keys bulging out of pockets
- If you have young children - try to make sure their faces are clean. I don't know about you, but my kids always seem to have bits of food, yogurt stains, and/or snot on their face.
- Please do not take photos with your cell phones during sessions. (Unless you want to take a picture of me taking pictures and post on FB about what an awesome photographer I am). (: If you want to video a cake smash or special moment, please feel free.
- Most importantly - RELAX and have FUN! Sometimes kids take awhile to warm up in the studio so please don’t force them do something they don’t want to do or get frustrated. We’ll work with it and I have some tricks up my sleeve to help kids feel comfortable.
CAKE SMASHES:
- I love cake smashes! I partner with Lil’ Bites Confections to provide a simple 6 inch smash cake for an additional charge. I will pick up your cake before your session so you don’t have to worry about it! (Because you have enough to worry about!) https://www.facebook.com/lilbitesconfections
- Here are some tips if you are providing your own cake: Do NOT get red icing! (unless you are going for a bloody Halloween theme). And a cake with chocolate frosting can kind of look like, you know what, when smeared all over. Also - it’s super helpful if the cake is on a solid cardboard piece (or some bakeries put a ribbon around the cardboard to make it pretty) to help transport it to the cake stand or floor. It’s difficult to try to move just the cake without messing part of it up.
- I recommend that you feed your child a cupcake or a piece of cake a week or so prior to our session. It’s not required but it’s good to have a trial run.
- If you have a special theme and have props you want to bring, please feel free (maybe just give me a heads up beforehand). I have a few girl and boy banners that I can show you to see if you want to use those. I tend to keep my studio setups simple.
AFTER YOUR SESSION:
- Your work is done! You did it! I will post a sneak peek on Facebook and Instagram within a couple days, unless you opted out. A proofing gallery will be send to you in 7-10 days and then after you select your final images I’ll finish up edits and send you a final gallery. Typical turnaround time for the final gallery is 7 days. If you had a full session or upgraded to receive all images, expect the turnaround time to be 14 days or less.
If any questions arise at any point in the process, please don't hesitate to contact me. kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.
Light + Love | The Smith Family | Carmel Family Photographer
I'm always amazed when a family can get multiple people up and picture-ready for an early morning photo session. (I know when I wake up I'm always so glad all I have to do is put my contacts in and slap on some casual clothes - no make up needed here! You're welcome clients - I make you look good!!) (: Eric and Kristen managed to get themselves ready, as well as 9 month-old Theo, and teens Cayden and Conner. And the dogs joined us too! They all looked amazing and we had a wonderful session. Kristen's parents even drove up from Bloomington to join us at the end. Thanks to the Smith's for once again trusting me with their memories.
If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.
9 Months | Molly | Indianapolis Lifestyle Photographer
I do shoot a lot of lifestyle sessions, but they typically are for newborns. So when the opportunity arose to photograph the Large family with their sweet 9 month old Molly in a lifestyle format, I was excited. Our session was on a bright Sunday Mother's Day morning and we began our session by waking Molly from her morning nap. And newsflash....she wakes up super happy!
Mom and Dad just wanted to capture their "little darling" as she is now - smiley, giggly and oh so wiggly! You can see from many of the images she was trying to squirm her way out of mom and dad's arms. She didn't mellow out until her mid-morning milk when we were able to end the session snuggling on the front stoop. Thanks so much to the Large's for sharing their sweet Molly with me.
If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.
Birthday Boy | Indianapolis Family Photographer
Newly turned one-year-old Will got to spend the first hour or so of his birthday morning being a model. He rocked out a family photo session with mom and dad and then we celebrated with cake...the ultimate reward for a kid! He may be disappointed during future photo sessions that don't end in cake....so Caitlin and Justin, you may want to keep that in mind (: Odds are he won't remember this session but the images will live on.
As our families grow over the years, sometimes it's hard to remember what it was like to only have one kid. I certainly can't imagine it now, having 3 littles running around, but I know it happened. That first child certainly changes your life, and while you will love future children just the same, there is something about that first one.....they made you a parent, they made you a better, less selfish human being, and they taught you love like none other. I know this session shows that love........that first child love. Mama's baby and daddy's little bud.
Browse through the sweetness below of the Karvasky's and their sweet ONE year old Will.
If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.
Johnny is ONE | Cake Smash | Indianapolis Children's Photographer
I first met the Moore family when baby John was 11 days old. I had the honor of shooting his newborn session in their home. One year later they came to my studio for some updated family pics and a cake smash. Mom is a baker (like a real baker people - follow her on Instagram @moorepleasebaking) and she made the perfect little smash cake for her little man. John was perfect - cute, smiley, and oh so polite with his cake. Mom and Dad had to smear some frosting on him to give the cake smash effect. Frosting or not, his session was adorable. Happy birthday buddy!
If you are looking for a family photographer in the Indianapolis area, please contact me at kellymartinphotos@gmail.com or 765-749-4388.
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