What Every Client Needs to Know

I am so excited for your portrait session! Whether I'm capturing your sweet family, or celebrating a special moment in your life, like a graduation, birthday, anniversary or new baby, I'm so honored to help you create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. I've created this guide to help you get the most out of your photos, and by the time you’ve read through this, you'll have all your questions answered and feel more than ready and prepared for your session. Then I'll take care of the rest! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. I can’t wait to get you in front of my camera!

Choosing Time & Date

I'm a natural light specialist because I believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections, create photographs that feel fresh, timeless and truest to you. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your portrait session date, especially if you’re taking off work or have evening plans afterward. 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. I am only able to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so I will want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing one, arrive in that.

QUICK TIP: My weekends fill up fast and far in advance, as does my fall season.You can get a Fast Pass to the front of the line by scheduling mid-week or off-season.

Think Outside the Box

This is the time to think outside the box! I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, country club or resort. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel or even a boat, airplane hangar or a rooftop view. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around. You’ll be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask! My clients have secured permission to some pretty amazing places in the past. If you get stuck or need inspiration, check out my blog. I have some great go-to locations around town that we can always hit, too. Just let me know which type of session you’d love and I'll go from there! Easy. Peasy.

Destination Portrait Session

Your portrait session includes travel time anywhere in the Phoenix Metro area. If you’d like to go somewhere outside the city, I'm up for the adventure! The travel fee for two-hour drives to places like Sedona, Tucson and Flagstaff is $100. The Grand Canyon is $200. I love traveling and am actually on the road quite a bit. I've done different types of sessions at the beach too, so if I'm already going to be in or near an area you’ve always dreamed of doing your photos, and we can coordinate our schedules, let’s set it up. I'd love to make it work! If you’d like me to meet you in a destination outside of Arizona for your portrait session where I don’t already have plans to visit, just let me know and I can get you a custom quote.

Styling your Session

Want your photos to look more editorial? Bring a little extra something with you! Fresh flowers bring an extra “wow” factor to just about everything, especially when they’re attached to something else, like a bicycle basket, tree swing, tent, picnic basket, balloons or car bumper. Whether you want to incorporate larger items like classic cars or bikes, or smaller ones like blankets or hats, even planning for just one extra styled item could be a fun way to make your session more unique.

Prepping Your Little Ones

Before your session, pack a bag with snacks, water and any small objects (like toys or lollipops) that might help me get their attention when it’s time for them to look at the camera. If they are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. Explain how much the photos mean to you so they know to be on their best behavior. A lot of families discuss and pick something fun in advance as a treat after the session if they’re good listeners, like an ice cream cone, for example. It also helps if they’re bellies are full and they’ve has some good rest beforehand. Once you prepare them physically and mentally, then feel free to give them (and you!) grace! They’re little, and I know that some days don’t always go as planned. I've seen it all and will make sure to get you great photos, regardless of their moods. My goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you and your family!

Photo Delivery Timeline

10 Days after the session (sometimes sooner!)

sneak peek with one of my favorite photos texted to you! Feel free to share to social media!

3-4 Weeks (sometimes sooner!)

online gallery with all of your final, retouched, high-resolution

Final Note

I know we just gave you a lot to think about. I created this guide to help make your portrait session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future memories are the most important thing to me, and I want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And I'll take care of the rest!

Portrait Session Checklist

Set date, time and location with me
Review guide for style tips
Schedule hair, makeup and nail appointments (if applicable)
Choose your outfits
Pack a bag with:
- Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots
- Second outfit (if you’re doing two)
- Touch-up makeup
- Water bottle (for warmer sessions)
- Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)
- Snacks for the little ones
- If you have a toddler or younger, small eye-catching toys (or lollipops) to hold their attention