A popular question I get asked when discussing a shoot with a client is, “what colours should we wear?”.
It is as important to invest time into planning your wardrobe for your session as the investment you made for your session. The last thing I would want is for you to not like your images because of your outfit choice.
Be comfortable! No, not sweatpants and a t-shirt, pick items you feel your best in. If it’s an outfit you wouldn’t typically wear and you find yourself adjusting and tugging at outfit, don’t wear it. Your discomfort and concern will show in your photos. The better you feel in your outfit choice the better you will portray yourself in the photos.
Please co-ordinate your colours but don’t match. Earthy neutral tones are a guaranteed win! I do not suggest bright colours & our friend plaid is acceptable if only one person wears it and it also is more a neutral plaid colour and not 80’s neon shocking. I suggest you choose one colour for the family and each person can wear a piece of clothing with that colour in it. The result is beautiful and flows so nice. It also doesn’t need to be the same colour, just keep it in the same shades.
Colour coordinating with a pop of colour also adds great contrast to your images. Patterns are good but try to keep the busy ones to a minimum. Sometimes patterns attract the eye to the pattern instead of you.
Outfits with logos or texts are fun but this can be that one time I suggest skipping wearing it as it ensures your photos to be timeless.
Look at your home environment. Where will you be hanging these images? On a neutral house palette, if so it’s likely best to stay within that same palette. These are images that will be hanging on your walls for years to come and I want you to be happy with them.
Accessories are our friends! Hats, scarves, jewelry, coats, flower crowns, shawls etc. can make your bland outfit complete and don’t be afraid to bring a long a few extra things that can be changed out and accent your images uniquely. That being said, not everyone in the photo needs to be wearing a hat, just adding that little extra texture to the photo will make it pop!
Now, the shoes! Most sessions take place on a beach, in a park or a field so I suggest cute n comfy footwear. Leave the heals at home and wear a cute pair of stylish boots or wedges. Something you can walk in comfortably but also fits your outfit choice. The beautifully styled family doesn’t need the fluorescent shoes ruining it for them.
Be who you are naturally. If you aren’t one to have your hair all done up or wear large amounts of makeup, then you probably don’t want to do this for your session. If you are getting your hair and makeup done for the session by a professional, please do a trial run with them prior to be sure you have the look you are wanting and so that you aren’t frantically trying to fix your look prior to the session.
At any time if you are unsure of your choices, please connect with me. I will do my best to assure & guide you in the best decision.
These are things that you can do to help us as photographers capture the best possible photos during your photo session:
Show up early, at least 5-10 minutes. This is a Huge one! Photographers typically have several sessions booked on any given day. Meaning they can be travelling from session to session and only having 20-30 minutes between sessions. Showing up 10 minutes late or more can affect your session. If I have another session booked after you I won’t be able to stay late, leaving you with less shooting time. Showing up on time or early is critical for lighting. If you are running late and have a sunset session booked this can greatly affect the light for your shoot and missing out on the gorgeous gold light. Show up early and enjoy the moments of your full session without feeling rushed and frazzled.
We photographers are very creative humans. We are thrilled when our clients book sessions because they love our work and trust our process to create legacy moments that will last a lifetime. I love to see one or two of your ideas that have inspired you, it helps me understand your vision a bit better. A list of 10-20 ‘must have shots’ for a family session can be defeating for the purpose of our jobs.
Dress appropriate for shoot location. If we are headed to the mountains or to the river be prepared. Wear footwear that matches the location. Short skirts and heals may not be appropriate for the middle of winter in the mountains. Dressing accordingly will prevent you from being sore or cold and your shoot will be more enjoyable.
When you receive your photos back and are posting them on social media, Please don’t add generic instagram filters. We have worked for many hours to edit your photos to align with our niche brand, look and quality. Seeing these filters added is heartbreaking and discouraging. When you are posting to social media, giving photo credits to your photographer with a quick comment or just their social media name is greatly appreciated.
Photo sessions are a time for you to make different memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. So have fun, relax and enjoy the legacy moments you are creating.
This is one of my ultimate favourite sessions to shoot. Even more so if I am unknown to your partner/ring recipient. I can be right in your space or close to where the proposal will happen without anyone being suspicious.
This moment goes by quicker than you think it will. As hard as the partner works to make this moment right for you, it goes by in a flash of time you think is standing still. Hiring a photographer to capture these moments will ensure you can embrace those moments forever. All the unique excitement and joy that surrounds you is a good one to have forever.
It’s also fun when family members or friends are involved in the event. Sharing that exact moment with your peeps who are ecstatic for you can be as memorable and proposals that are private and intimate are as unforgettable.
The proposal is a part of your love journey. Your first meet, first date, first kiss and now the proposal to the love of your life.
I am a lover of love stories! So, if my eyes start leaking during your session, it’s because I’m a big sucker for it all! I’m here for it all. I am willing to offer location ideas and anything else I can do to make this come full circle for you! I just Love proposals.
Photographers alike call it Golden Hour. Golden hour is the most beautiful time of day to book your outdoor session, the light is perfectly pristine!
The sun is lower in the sky which radiates the warm hues creating the most incredible images for you.
1-2 hours before sunset is typically your best bet!
Mid-day sessions work too, just be sure to check what your potential photographer likes to work with the most, so you are getting the feel from your images of what you desire the outcome to be.
When booking for your family session, I know as a mom myself how lots of women are not feeling the vibe of the timeline right now. Especially in Alberta during the summer months when sunset is around 10pm. Your littles are usually fast asleep by 7:00 – 7:30 pm, and this is your time to unwind and enjoy your evening.
Let me assure you, this is doable! Allowing a late nap along with a later dinner plan helps put your children in a great mood, with lots of energy for a fun filled session. As your children get older, I’d almost bet they wouldn’t mind a later bedtime which allows you to be photographed in the best light of the day!
If your timeline just doesn’t work with sunset sessions due to shift schedules, not to worry! Before the sun can set, we have a sun to rise. Look out energy, hello prime opportunity! The family is fresh and full of the day’s ambitions. Sunrise sessions are typically 1-2 hours before sunrise (location depending of course).
Look at the photographer’s website as well as social media platforms to get a good idea of what they specialize in and offer to their clients. Their work will have a look and feel to it, see if it resonates with your vision.
Updating your family photos yearly is quite normal for those with little ones. They grow so fast; their looks change in the blink of an eye. Documenting these moments & milestones is so vital & your future self will thank you for it!
Photographers vary in their style, editing, approach & you bet this can be an overwhelming choice.
Make your choice to invest in a photographer who you can trust, relate to, will give you their best & one you can rely on year after year.
When you find that “one photographer”, do yourself a favour & keep them! Your image styles will be consistent & your family becomes use to this photographer capturing them, which makes the entire session run smooth like butter.
Things to consider when searching for your family photographer
Lifestyle or Portrait Photographer
In all, both styles are great, it’s best for you to know what style it is you want for your session.
A Photographers Niche
Connection Vibes
If you Love what you see on the photographer’s website & social media but just aren’t sure if you align, reach out to the photographer, if they haven’t already done so. Set up a discovery call. There’s nothing worse for you or a photographer than walking into a session without any knowledge of the personalities or overall vibe/connection. It can also make for a very awkward and uncomfortable session. My goal is to have you feeling comfortable like we’re friends hanging out, having a good time & we will!
In our current day and age, everyone and their dog has some sort of camera with them. This allows people space to think photography is simple and there’s no need for fancy equipment. I’ve written reasons why hiring a professional wedding photographer is important below.
Sticker Shock comes to mind when most people start exploring their options for their big day. I’m here to tell you, it’s not just the one day! Our works begins a long time before your actual wedding day. The genuine photographers will want time with you over discovery calls etc months before your wedding, so they understand your vision for the day, answer any questions or be there as a wedding planner of sorts. No matter the length of time you hire them for they will be on their game the entire time. Following your wedding day, all your images are backed up and downloaded followed by culling of photos and then hours and hours of editing your images to make them the best, and a timeless legacy for you to love for a lifetime. This process alone typically takes weeks.
Photographers work with some precious, high-end camera gear and have backup gear in case something breaks. Most photographers have invested in tens of thousands of dollars into their gear to be sure they have all their bases covered. These are necessary and valid gear/tools to have in our collection, like multiple lenses, flashes, extra camera body, batteries and memory cards, computers and editing equipment as well.
Most weddings, depending on where your photographer is located, aren’t right down the street or quickly accessible. We must have a reliable vehicle that can/will get you to your wedding day on time. This comes with putting thousands of kilometres on our vehicle as well as maintaining them more often than normal. We are constantly on the highway or backroads somewhere.
If photography was as easy as taking a pretty picture with a good camera; a larger majority of people would be practicing this form of art. Photographers have spent many hours of training and equally shooting as many sessions as possible to get to where they are today. Keeping up to date with the flow includes consistently educating ourselves while learning new or different techniques which takes time and money. It’s not as easy as a click of a button. Anyone can buy an expensive camera but like driving a car you need to know how operate it so you don’t crash and burn.
Seasoned photographers have good intuition that comes with experience of anticipating the special moments. They watch the crowd for the tearful eye, special hand holding, the twirl of the flower girl down the aisle or on the dance floor. These are the precious detailed moments that will forever tell your magical story of your day.
You’ll only have one chance on your day to capture these unique memories so make sure you have trust and confidence in your photographer.
Deb McNeil Photography
Edmonton & Calgary Wedding Photographers
T: 403-357-4601
E: debmcneilphotography@gmail.com