Wondering how this will all play out? Here is a little more information to help. If all adults involved in your photo session can read this, that would be amazing. If we start this session all on the same page, the end result will be so much better.

These photo sessions are super relaxed and about you and your family interacting and being your wonderful selves. I’m there to document that. You have asked me to capture you, your family, your story, so you can remember and treasure this time forever. I just need you to be you, nothing more.

In saying that I know it can be hard to relax with a camera pointed at you. I promise you that I have never had a client call me up to make a booking and tell me they love being photographed, ever. It is a challenge for most people, but trust in my process, it is something I have been developing for 20 years and it works.

I will give you direction and guidance to a point, positioning you in the best light, asking you to look at each other, setting up games and cuddles but mostly I am just creating a space and opportunities for connections to happen naturally.

If there are small people involved in the session, they are almost always perfectly unpredictable and totally in charge. That’s the way I want it. Please just let that flow. The more you allow that, the more opportunities I have to capture their wild and free selves. I want to find the beautiful moments within the chaos, that’s where the magic is.

If your small people start to go a little crazy in the process can I ask that you let a few more things slide than you normally would? We want everyone as happy and relaxed as possible. Also, please don’t feel like it is your job to guide your children, telling them to smile at the camera will never give me the results I am after. I don’t want you to look back on your images and see cheesy, forced smiles. It is just as important to me to document their pursed lips and furrowed frowns as much as their laughter. We are documenting your real story, right?

This is a mini session, we have a small window to document as many beautiful images as we can. During your session my goal is to get all the different combinations possible within your family. If you’ve got any ideas before the session of what you’d like, please let me know before the day.

My sessions are about pausing time and being utterly present with your family. Please put your phones away, preferably turn them off. Please do not start taking photographs over my shoulder, this can be so distracting for everyone.

Arrive early! Please! I run my mini sessions back to back so if you are late it will mean you get less photographs taken. Arrive early and be dressed and ready to go. Let’s make this count.

If you are organising small people for these evening sessions here’s some tips and tricks that have worked for my clients in the past:

~ Pack a favourite toy or comforter

~ Try a late nap – change up your routine and give your children a later nap in the day so they are bright eyed in the evening

~Try for a quiet day for non-nappers – take it slow, don’t show any signs of stress about your session, and don’t build it up too much