Tips for timing, choosing a location, outfits, managing kids and more!
Portrait Session
PLANNING YOUR family
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We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your session. It’s normal to be a little anxious about your session. You're a busy family with quite a few things on your plate.
That's actually one of the reasons why we put together this guide. It covers things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a location, outfits, prepping kids and more.
Hopefully it helps you feel fully prepared for our time together, but should you have any other questions or if you need advice, please feel free to reach out!
- jody ann
One of the best things you can do to prepare for your family session is to expect - and even embrace - the unplanned parts. As parents, we often go in with expectations of how the day will unfold, what poses we want, and hopes that everyone will be 100% calm and collected.
While things often go totally as planned, it's best to allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised by the "imperfect" moments along the way. We've got you and what we see behind the camera is so much different that what you expect.
You want your family to be represented through your photos in the truest, most authentic fashion. Let this session be an opportunity to capture your family’s love for one another in a raw and genuine way.
Your child is in a new element and a stranger is holding a big camera in front of their face. They’re likely not going to entirely be themselves. They may show off more than usual or your extrovert may suddenly become shy but this is the big reason we don't limit the time in our family sessions for a child to warm up, sometimes that's at the end after games and play, and that ends up being the most real and treasured moments.
Rest assured, it’s all okay.
Managing
little ones
The best thing you can do for your kids is to go with the flow and stay positive. The more you relax and have fun with things, the more likely your little one (or big one,) is to get on board.
It can also be helpful to pack a few treats and bribes for younger children. Favorite toys, special snacks and the promise of ice cream afterwards work wonders (we just use bribes sparingly during the session so they don't give up). Prepping them a few weeks in advance by mentioning often how they will be meeting Jody and the fun games we will play is another great way.
We’re incredibly patient with kids and that we have a few tricks up our sleeve to help get even the smallest ones to cooperate. At the session. our goal is to capture the essense of each family member and your unique dynamic. We photograph the whole family interacting, quiet moments between parent and child, silly moments between siblings, smiles and pouts. Ultimately the special time in your family's life right now.
babies
You’ve likely realized this by now, but babies can be a bit messy. It’s always a good idea to plan an extra outfit just in case. If you have toddlers that might need a potty break or are training, extra pants for them is also wise.
This is a season when you might not quite feel like yourself. A fresh outfit you feel good in goes a long way. We’ve found longer, a-line dresses that are nursing friendly are often the most flattering. Baltic Born, Petal and Pup and Morning Lavender tend to have quite a few of these at affordable prices. (ask me if I have current discount code!) Session days are also a good day to take others up on that offer to help. You are one hard working mama and if you have time to nap, shower and get ready in peace, you’re going to love these images a lot more.
Dear Mama,
03
backup Outfits
Feed and change your little one’s diaper right before we arrive. This helps ensure that they are ready to go as soon as we arrive. However due to the tiny size of their tummies, it’s also likely that they’ll need another feed (and maybe a diaper change) during the shoot.
Please don’t worry about pausing the session to feed your little one. This is normal! We plan extra time for nursing or hungry babes. Bring along a stroller when possible.
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Preparing your Baby
If we’ll be photographing the newest members of your family, the following tips below will help ensure everyone is happy throughout the session.
babies
a note about
We’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. We normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” our clients have in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and a half to two hours and begin about two hours before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid squinty eyes, harsh shadows and bright sun patches.
We schedule sessions during what we believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting all the special interactions between your family members.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
Sunset & Bedtimes
In the warmer months, sunset sessions often fall during the witching hour. They may even fall during or after bedtime especially between June to early August in Calgary.
As much as we love a consistent bedtime routine, in order to capture the best light during "golden hour", we're like going to need to throw off your schedule a bit.
If our session takes place close to dinnertime, we recommend feeding kids (and yourselves!) before we begin shooting.
If your little one is going to be going to bed later, consider pushing their nap a bit that day, letting them sleep longer or packing pj's so that you can quickly tuck them into bed as soon as you get home. For super young kiddos, we can adjust timing but this will affect location and our preference is to book your date during earlier sunsets in the spring or fall.
Locations
our favorite places to shoot
We love to make recommendations for locations based on the questionnaire replies you give us. From grassy fields to mountain ranges to waterfalls, creek beds and urban streets, the options for session locations are endless!
Drumheller Hoodoos
Waterton Lakes
Red Rock Canyon
Elbow Falls
Big Hill Springs Park
Sunflower Fields
Tree Farm
Flower Field
Saskatoon Farm
Big Rock Okotoks
adventure*
High Park
Stephen Avenue
Central Library
Inglewood
Kensington
Downtown Rooftop
Glenmore Boat Docks
URBAN
Shannon Terrace
Bebo Grove
Pearce Estate Park
Hulls Wood
Sikome Lake
Confederation Park
Nose Hill
Fish Creek
Anne & Sandy Cross
Weaselhead Flats
Glenmore Resevoir/Boat dock
Douglasdale Ridge
water & PArks
Barrier Lake
Big Horn Lookout
Quarry Lake (beach too!)
Glenbow Ranch
Waterton
Mountain View*
The above locations are all beautiful but we also love exploring meaningful locations with our families! Do you have a farm, horse barn, cabin or hiking trail where you spend time together?
*Keep in mind, certain locations have a travel fee and park fees.
We know that some family members just happen to be furry and we love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
We recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have someone available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Managing
furry ones
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Even though Spring begins in March, we typically don’t begin shooting for another 6 weeks because the weather in our area is still pretty chilly. When we schedule spring dates, we typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date because #aprilshowers.
"Fresh Flowers & Sunny Days"
Spring
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In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 7-8pm. If you’re taking your photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
"If it could only be like this always"
Summer
View next
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the and because of the perfect weather, our schedules typically book up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall session, we recommend scheduling 2 months early!
"and autumn a mosaic of them all."
Autumn
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
My goal is to capture authentic images of your children and your family. Select clothes that reflect your personal style and taste rather than forcing yourselves into something trendy or outside of your comfort zone. The more comfortable you are, the more comfortable you’ll look in your photos.
If we’re shooting in the heat of the summer, light colored, breathable clothing is highly recommended. In the Fall, earthy and jewel-toned colours pair well with the muted backdrops of faded greens and changing, colourful leaves. Neutrals work in any season and if going for a more monochromatic look, use varying shades and textures to break things up and diferentiate. Stay away from clothing with distracting logos or words and very thin stripes (this can cause an unwanted visual effect in your photos called moire.)
I have several resources to help you find and coordinate outfits to save you stress and time. Along with this guide to give you tips on what and what not to wear, below is my Pinterest Examples, as well as my interactive styling resource, Style & Select which you'll access below our "tips" section.
tips for success
what to wear:
shop my PRIME favorites
on to the next
browse colour profiles
browse style examples
on to the next
When picking outfits we recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if Dad is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the Mom may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
A good rule of thumb: Choose 2-3 colors palette in the same tone and sprinkle in some neutrals to avoid matching. Don't be afraid to mix a few subtle patterns or textures (such as linen, velvet, lace).
If you are going for an all neutral look, or lots of earth tones, some denim shades can throw off the overall look. Instead, use complimetary coloured chinos such as olive, burgundy, khaki, grey, etc.
Picking outfits that can be flowy and show a lot of movement for the girls can create magical images.
Flattering fits: Accentuate what you love and don't hide your entire body. Shift dress can create unflattering illusions, instead, select a flowy wrap maxi that accentuates your curves without being too form fitting.
Choosing Outfits
for everyone
Heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking or we'll be in grass, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.
We love the way larger patterns and textures (like linen) photograph - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. We love bright, neon dresses, but we don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion.
Wardrobe Tips
for the ladies
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Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress.
Lace and tulle look amazing in photographs. Felt hats add another dimension and variety with how easy it can be added and taken away as well as another place to pose hands.
And dresses with sleeves are a great way to help slim arms.
Depending on your location, you might want to consider a fit and flare or a flowy dress.
They look great in walking and photos with movement.
Choose an outfit you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!
Accessories
for the ladies
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Adorn Boutique
Baltic Born
Joyfolie
Morning Lavender
The Gap
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Free People
Jessakae
Petal & Pup
Pink Blush
H&M
Vici Collection
Aritzia
Three Bird Nest
1909
The Latest Scoop
Favorite Shops
Simons
Zara
Etsy - Reclamation
Nothing Fits But
ASOS
Bohme
Hill House Home
Reformation
Rylee & Cru
Ivy City
Boohoo
Madewell
Lulu's
Saks 5th Avenue
Banana Republic
Boutique 1861
for the ladies
shop my PRIME favorites
on to the next
We think it’s so important that you look and feel your best for your photos. Investing in professional hair and makeup can go a long way towards creating photos you love for years.
Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better in humidity and wind. If you’re planning to do any spray tans or waxing, schedule those for a few days before the session to give your skin time to recover.
If you go this route, we recommend our preferred vendor for $100 fr either hair or makeup or $175 for both. Message for details.
Hair & Makeup
for the ladies
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You can’t go wrong with crisp button up. Or consider layering a blazer or sweater with jeans with this look.
Bowties are always a good idea.
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months.
Wardrobe
for the gents
on to the next
Ready to start
Style & Select is an interactive & shoppable styling resource that shows you hundreds of photo worthy tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories pulled in from well known retailers to give clients, like you, an easier way to figure out what the wear. You just pick your favorites and shop from the Style Board email! My client closet items are located on the results page for you to select from, as well. If you have something you have found online or that you love in your own closet, feel free to upload an image into the custom upload button so you can see how it coordinates with the rest of the families selections.
Once you have selected your favorites, you can then email yourself the styling board and you will have links directly to the retailer for purchasing. I will receive a copy of your results so I can assist with any changes or offer advice.
Take me to Style & Select!
USE STYLE CODE: jacphotography
styling your session?
We never over-schedule ourselves so that we can give each client the time and attention they deserve, but also, so we can have the freedom to move our sessions around with the kooky Calgary weather that is always so unpredictable! Coordinating schedules can be tough and we’ve found that the best way to make sure our families get the look they have in mind for their photos is to keep our schedule open and keep in touch as we get closer.
We’ll check in the week before your session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for session and it’s the worst to get dressed up, do makeup and hair, then drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let us know what works best for your family, but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! We’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If we tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because we know it’s going to make everyone laugh - and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.
Throughout your session, we’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. We want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
Yes, you are welcome to print the images on your own from ordered digital files. If you do this, we recommend making sure that the printer does not color correct the images (many automatically do this.) We also recommend looking for a high quality printer. While 10 cent prints sound great in theory, the cheaper printing quality often won’t do your images justice. Paper quality, color correction and a handful of other factors play a big role in the way your prints turn out. This is one of the reasons why we LOVE offering prints to our clients.
A:
Can I print the images on my own?
q:
We will make sure we capture your family thoroughly. Most families should expect to receive at least 45-60 images following their session for order selection.
A:
How many images will I have to select from?
q:
For order and selection, the gallery viewed at your ordering session.
We guarantee that your final images will remain in an online gallery for at least a year. While your galleries may stay up longer than that, we cannot guarantee it. Once your galleries have been delivered, we highly recommend downloading all high resolution images to several devices. Consider investing in a portable, waterproof external hard drive.
A:
How long will I have access to the gallery?
q:
While turnaround times can vary by season, we aim to deliver all images within three weeks of your session.
A:
When will I receive my gallery?
q:
Frequently
asked
Questions
You are absolutely welcome to share images on social media. To ensure that our work is properly represented, we ask that you refrain from sharing enedited previews or adding any edits. We also appreciate image credits and tags as they help us to continue to grow as a business. Please remember that screen shotting images and removing watermarks is a violation of policies and copyright.
A:
Can I share the images on social media?
q:
By default, the creators of images always own the rights to the images. However we’ll give you a release to use, print and share your images. The only thing you won’t be able to do is sell your image as a stock photo. We won’t do this either without your written permission.
A:
Do I own the rights to the images?
q:
We typically plan about 90 minutes for sessions. While we likely don’t need to be shooting this entire time, this does give us the flexibility for location changes, rowdy kids and time to warm up.
A:
How long should we plan for the session to take?
q:
We edit all ordered images to our standards you see online. We also do light retouching on all of our images. This means that if there are any glaring objects that should be removed (such as a bump from the tumble your toddler took that morning,) we’ll remove it. Larger edits (such as removing tan lines,) require more time and would require us to add additional editing hours to your collection.
A:
Will you retouch our images?
q:
We reschedule! We would much rather have happy and healthy kiddos than stick to a strict date. Together we will select another day within 2 weeks of the original date to achieve the same style & look.
A:
what happens when my kids are sick?
q:
We book our family sessions weekday evenings with 1-2 Saturdays available a month on a FCFS basis. Sessions are scheduled up to two hours before sunset and for families with really young kiddos, we tend to stick as close to your home address as possible for max happy time.
A:
What do I need to know about booking times and location options?
q:
As soon as possible after your session is complete, we’ll back up your images and begin the editing process. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your gallery for order & selection between 1-2 weeks and final edits within another 1-2 weeks after your session. Albums and Wall Art timelines vary.
Your Images
When to Expect
We’re big believers that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: fifteen years ago, if we had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a floppy disk. With the fast updates to technology, you would have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries we deliver will eventually fade away.
But prints? Those last. I bet your family still has images from your grandparents (maybe even great grandparents.) And that was likely from a time period when cameras were expensive and prints were harder to come by.
Bring Your Images to Life with
prints
Perfect for those who value legacy. These heirloom albums are a great way to house a large number of images in a beautiful way. Leave them on display as coffee table books or protect them with a keepsake box.
Albums
Our framed and matted prints are the perfect way to fill your walls with memories. With a variety of frames to choose from, we’ll help you select the perfect image pairings for your space.
Prints & Wall Art
Details for ordering will be delivered with your gallery
Easy to hang and easy to change out. Canvases are one of our favorite ways to decorate a space. They also work great on little easels placed around the home.
Canvases
We know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your portrait session. However if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email us.
jodyann@jacphotography.ca