Our First Session
I am so excited to meet you and get to know you and your family!!
There are a couple of things I have learned over my 4 years of capturing families. Some of these guidelines apply to everyone and some only apply to specific family members. :)
The first item we need to do is to get a model release signed. This basically gives me permission to use your images for advertising purposes. If I wanted to use our images for a commercial reasons or sell them to a stock photography company, I would contact you directly in hopes that we could talk about all the details before going forward with any decisions.
Model Release Form
I'm right here :) Click me!
Please fill in all fields, save the form with your last name attached to the file name and return the form back to me at [email protected]
You can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader here: https://get2.adobe.com/reader/
HOW TO MAKE AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/sign-pdfs.html
Since we haven’t worked together before and your babies don’t really know me, I will try to get as friendly with them as possible so that we can get some great traditional and candid photos of you guys within our session time. To help us out, I have come up with a list of guidelines that have helped in other sessions.
There are a couple of things I have learned over my 4 years of capturing families. Some of these guidelines apply to everyone and some only apply to specific family members. :)
The first item we need to do is to get a model release signed. This basically gives me permission to use your images for advertising purposes. If I wanted to use our images for a commercial reasons or sell them to a stock photography company, I would contact you directly in hopes that we could talk about all the details before going forward with any decisions.
Model Release Form
I'm right here :) Click me!
Please fill in all fields, save the form with your last name attached to the file name and return the form back to me at [email protected]
You can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader here: https://get2.adobe.com/reader/
HOW TO MAKE AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/sign-pdfs.html
Since we haven’t worked together before and your babies don’t really know me, I will try to get as friendly with them as possible so that we can get some great traditional and candid photos of you guys within our session time. To help us out, I have come up with a list of guidelines that have helped in other sessions.
- COMFORT - Please bring any special comfort toys or stuffed animals - it helps a lot in the beginning. We can gently remove the toy after everyone gets warmed up. Honestly, if every session was completely up to me I would like you guys as comfortable and yourself as possible. My passion is hopefully showing your amazing personalities at this time of your life with these photos…so if there’s trucks and a bunny in them then that’s what was important to your child at that time — and I’m thinking it carries a couple of amazing stories with it that can stir up some more memories as you look at these photos over your life and for generations to come. I can understand having a nice traditional polish photo of the family as well. So I leave it up to you. :)
- LOOK AT ME - (THE TRADITIONAL SHOT) The first 5 mins of our session is the best and usually the only time to get the "traditional everyone is looking at me" shots. When I start to pose you guys sitting together or standing, PARENTS please try to NOT to look at your kids, but just look at me as I’m taking the photos. 95% of my families that have babies/children that are 5 months to 3 years old do not like to stay still (I’m not telling you anything you didn’t already know). But!!! that means I have 1-2 seconds of your little ones finding me entertaining…lol If you can remember and I will try to hard to remind you during our session, please look at me and I’ll communicate with you when I need your help. haha After we get the "LOOK AT ME" shots I like to get you to not look at me but look at each other. lol
- LIKES & DISLIKES - Please let me know some likes/dislikes for you, your family, and your children. Such as a song, a dance, a book, to be tickled, “I’m gonna get you” game, hide-n-seek, bubbles, etc. Usually if the whole family is engaging in an activity children are happier or more expressive.
- LET'S GET ACTIVE - I will ask you to do certain activities such as: hug, give piggy back rides, kiss, touch noses aka Eskimo kisses, tickle contest, get close to each other and try to touch cheek-to-cheek, run, jump, sit, stand, land on your backs, strike a pose, BUT if you have something special that makes YOU — YOU...please feel free to do it without any coaching.
- WATER & SNACKS - It might be really really hot outside. Please stay hydrated. Bring water, juice, and snacks just in case.
- IT'S HOT IT'S COLD - Please feel free to bring a hand towel...I do! I'm all over the place and moving causes me to sweat (sorry...I know gross). Also if we have a fall or winter session...please wear many many layer and hopefully this windy or chilly day will give you many reasons to start snuggling!
- PRACTICE IS GOOD - This might be your first time EVER having you photograph taken...so it's ok to be nervous or not feel comfortable. I will help direction you as much as possible. BUT...I'll have to be honest. Sometimes we all need to do something multiple times to get comfortable with it. This is true no matter how old we get. Some times children will need practice holding new baby brother/sister before our session.
- MY FOCUS - My focus is on Lighting (no light = no photo), Colors, Camera Settings, your Engagement, your Children, and then You.
I focus on your children much more than I do you (sorry...they need it). I'm kinda hoping that you can focus on your hair, teeth, boogies, bra strap, hands while we are shooting and I can focus on capturing those fast —YET AMAZING moments of your family interacting. I will ALWAYS try and do my best to check out those adult things too :) - POSES - Flattering things to do: Bring your chin slightly out from your neck and bring your nose down slightly. Ladies: stand to the side keeping weight on the back leg. Men: hold your partner around the waist and place your hand in your pocket when you don't know what to do with your hands.
- WHAT TO WEAR: A good start is to pick three colors or one outfit that you love. Make sure it is season appropriate and then "coordinate" (not match) those colors with the other remaining outfits. Color is always best!!! This is about you!! So I would try and use your outfit to express who you are! If you are a jeans & t-shirt kinda girl – OWN IT & ROCK IT OUT! If you love lace & pretty pinks – GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!
Here is a little style idea list that can help you mix and match your looks: AMAZON FUN SESSION CLOTHES IDEAS
- TRADITIONAL HEADSHOTS: What should I wear for my Professional Headshots?
Dress the part.
Your professional headshot should convey an image of who you are and what you do. There are a lot of ways to get that wrong with clothing and accessories. Here are some simple ways to get it right every time:
a. Simple
b. Plain
c. Dark in color
d. Fitted
Dark colors and simple, flattering clothing styles draw the viewer’s eye up and towards the face. Long sleeves and neat collared shirts are best. Avoid trendy clothing, short sleeves or sleeveless shirts and dresses.
- Glasses--If you wear glasses most of the time, wear them for your headshot. Because of reflections, be prepared to remove the lenses or to bring an extra frame without lenses.
- Make Up--Makeup is important but it should not take center stage. We recommend getting your makeup professionally applied. Portrait makeup should be applied sparingly and primarily to conceal imperfections and define features.
- Background--The background should be plain and no patterns or loud graphics. The background should not distract from the head shot or your face, but should enhance your portrait.
- More ideas can be found here: www.pinterest.com/brannan_blascak/headshots/