Family Portraits:

Smaller Families and Couples
You may choose to have your portrait taken indoors or outdoors, weather permitting. When the children are under the age of five, please refer to the information given below.
Larger Families
We will help you choose whether your portrait should be photographed indoors or outdoors (weather permitting) depending on how many are in your group, their ages, dressy or casual clothing, and the look you are trying to achieve.

Children's Portraits: (when the session includes only those under 12 years of age)
When any of the children are under the age of five, we recommend focusing on one outfit and a few backgrounds to guarantee that we will be getting several great images before tiring. This will also insure that all of the special breakdowns with siblings as well as each individual portrait are achieved. When the portrait consists of just children, please note that if the little one(s) are not tired and time permits, we are happy to utilize additional backgrounds and outfits. When we can, we utilize both our indoor studio and our outdoor gardens. Bring things from home that your children identify with or may have special meaning. A gift from Grandparents can add a special touch to any image.

High School Senior and Individual Portraits

You may choose to have your portrait taken indoors, outdoors or a combination of both. If you choose a combination of both, please come prepared for your indoors, your dressiest outfit, first. Bring two clothing changes if you would like, for a total of three outfits.
You are welcome to bring props from home that reflect your personality or hobby. Consider sports items, musical instruments, uniforms, cars, trucks, letter jackets, etc.
Bring a friend, sibling, or pet (horses, too!- but let us know so we can allow extra time)

Important for all Portraits

Clothing

• Pick 2-3 complementing solid colors in tones such as greens, blues, purples, burgundies, khakis, black, navy and denim. Remember pants or skirts are colors too.
• Avoid large prints, stripes, patterns and bright colors - these overwhelm skin tones and facial features and create distractions in finished images.
• Middle tones or deeper solid colors are ideal for formal indoors.
• Long-sleeves photograph better than short-sleeves: avoid sleeveless.
• Garments that are short or tight often limit what we can do
• Avoid showing tan lines or sunburns when possible, it is an extra cost to remove them.
• Your feet do show sometimes, so bring the shoes you would want to show.

Hair

• Plan to wear your hair in a style you’re comfortable with. Avoid new cuts or styles.

For Girls

• Keep your make-up natural and fresh. Please have your hair and make-up done before coming. We do not have make-up services available.

For Boys

• A fresh shave is a must! If you have a beard or mustache, be sure it’s neatly trimmed

Glasses

• If you wear glasses, wear them for your portrait, but have the lenses removed to avoid glass glare. Please note that lenses vary in the degree of reflectiveness but can not be reduced when glare is too extensive or if glare does cover pupil.

Braces and Blemishes

Refer to Print Enhancement/Retouching in the Pricing Section for more details.

Pets

We welcome dogs, cats, and horses, too!!! Please let us know you will be bringing your family pet so we can plan accordingly. Even though we are pet lovers, it may be helpful for you to bring leashes, familiar toys and treats, kennels, and an extra person to help if needed.

Punctuality

Arrive 10 minutes early so you won’t feel rushed. (If you’re late, it only shortens your session.)

We encourage a pre-portrait consultation to help plan for your best portrait ever!