WHAT EVERY CLIENT NEEDS TO KNOW

Preparing for a photo session? Let’s make sure you look and feel your absolute best! We created this guide for you, and packed it with all our best secrets for getting the best out of your photo session experience!

Date & Time

We’re ‘natural light photographers” because we believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections, create the most beautiful photographs. We try to begin all our sessions during “the golden hour,” when the light is the dreamiest. To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. We want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down because once we lose that light, we can’t continue shooting.

Location, Location, Location

The location of your session is up to you! The first thing to decide is whether you’d like to have your session somewhere that has meaning for you. If you’re a couple then perhaps somewhere relating to where you two met, got engaged, or share some other special memory. Think about if you or someone you know has access to a private estate, country club, a family ranch, or somewhere similar! The more creative the better! If you would like some suggestions for locations in the Mid-Michigan area, please let us know and we will be more than happy to share those locations with you.

We gladly travel for photo sessions, just keep in mind that there is a travel fee for anything outside of the central Michigan area (Clare, Mt Pleasant, Midland- ish). The fee depends on the location, so let us know where you are thinking and we’ll gladly get you those details!

*if you’ve reserved a fall mini session, then the location is already set so ignore all that! 🌟📸

Style Tips: For HER

From choosing the perfect outfits to selecting the right accessories, these style tips will help you shine in front of the camera. Whether you’re going for a classic, casual, or creative look, our guide will ensure you’re camera-ready and confident.

DRESS UP

Ever searched Pinterest for “photoshoot outfit” inspiration? You’ll see lots of DRESSES, HEELS, TULLE, and even fun accessories like flowers and flower crowns. The reason is, and we cannot stress this enough, you CANNOT be “too dressed up” for these pictures! Don’t be afraid to get fancy. It’s even a good excuse to check out sites like Rent the Runway if you don’t want to spend a lot to look like a million bucks or if you’re thinking you’d never wear that long flowy dress again… Once more for those in the back, you cannot be TOO FANCY!

Say Yes to the Dress

We highly recommend dresses. Why? Not only do long, flowing dresses look beautiful on camera because of all the elegance and movement we can capture, they are also flattering on all shapes. Ladies, the first thing you notice about photos of yourself is your insecurities, am I right? Dresses are a simple solution for effortlessly flattering those curves! Three-quarter length sleeves look great on everybody, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. Heels (especially closed-toed heels) have an elongating effect on camera and can be an added touch to make you feel as confident as can be. That confidence will even be reflected in the photographs.

Quick Tip: Feel free to bring a pair of flats to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you!

If time allows, you can even start the session in one red carpet worthy stunner and change part way through into a more comfortable dress, one that feels like one you might rock on a special date. As tempting as your favorite jeans and comfy top might be, why not dress it up for a day?

Accessorize

Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not be as noticeable on camera. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention so you don’t overdo it. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well. Of course, your ring will be the focal point of many images so don’t forget to clean/polish it and your nails up beforehand!

When it comes to hair and makeup, lash extensions or professionally styled hair will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If your guy questions the necessity of such a “splurge”, feel free to tell him it’s the Photographer’s orders!

Color Palettes

Likely our most important tip: COLORS. The right color can compliment your skin tone and make sure you’re wearing the outfit and the outfit doesn’t wear you. Avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors and patters will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments. Bright colors like hunter orange, bright red, or cobalt blue on the other hand can easily look harsh and distracting.

You and your family should aim to coordinate, not match. Most of our ladies choose their dress first, and then put together their family’s outfits together based on that. So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. This gives him his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette.

D6AB1239-46D3-4EDA-A569-195399FA69F5-4642-0000028C6298BAE7.JPG — Style Tips: For HIM

“Suit & Tie”
Men in Black
“every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man”
…you get the idea

Suit Up

It’s no secret that men look most striking in a well-tailored suit. Even a dress shirt and khakis can level up your look compared to jeans and a tee. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong compliment to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns can easily start to distract. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos too. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look.

Long pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on the face you fell in love with. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp compliments to any suit. Lastly, please please please: we beg of you: no logos or graphic tees. Please.

How to Prepare

Most men aren’t overly excited to take photos for hours, because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. Tell him why you chose us and our style of photography. Show him some of your favorite photos that we’ve taken, explain why you love them and how much this session means to you. Trust us, he’ll light up the camera for you! He might not love modeling, but he does love you. By the time we’re done, though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had! Guys, trust us when we say this isn’t going to be a repeat of that stuffy senior session you had with that less-than-friendly photographer back in high school!

Don’t Sweat It

We know we just gave you a lot to think about. We really do want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. We promise you’ll have fun and share lots of laughs.