Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
We’re so excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your family session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your session. We always tell people that we still get nervous before having our photos taken - and photography is our greatest passion!
We’re big fans of family sessions for a few reasons. First, you can showcase your genuine, unique, and beautiful personalities in a setting that is fun and beautiful.
Second, they capture a moment in time that you can reflect on for many years to come.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session, and since we get asked the same things over and over again, we thought it would be the most beneficial if we put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know.
We’ll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, location ideas and more!
- Sarah kathryn d
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” you have in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and when we can—we love to begin sessions about an hour before sunset. We prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. The first hour after sunrise is also an ideal time to shoot, if you are morning people.
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 and if your session takes place in the morning, the sun gets more harsh as it rises.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
We recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match" when picking outfits. For example, if a family member is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, another family member may want to choose a long, soft yellow or grey dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
If you are having a difficult time, try starting with mom's or daughter's outfit, since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints. Then move on to choose complementary outfits for other family members.
You are welcome pick two outfits for an family session, but we recommend sticking to one outfit. A few reasons why: makes things less complicated, more time for your shoot ( = more pictures), and you avoid possibly putting your kids in a grumpy mood. On top of that, many locations don't allow an outfit change.
Don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
find it fast
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.
Heels lengthen legs, but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.
We love the way larger patterns 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
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the ladies
find it fast
Adding accessories is the quickest way to take your outfit from average to AMAZING! Accessories can include jewelry, scarves, cardigans, belts, and hats. They are a great way to add color, sparkle, and/or pattern to a simple outfit.
Keep this in mind while styling the men and kids!
Accessories
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the ladies
find it fast
Morning Lavender
Joyfolie
Baltic Born
Shabby Apple
Vici Dolls
One Loved Babe
Jessakae
ModCloth
Hazel & Olive
Anthropologie
Free People
Francesca’s
Favorite Shops
VICI
Lulu's
Dillards
Nordstrom
ASOS
Rent the Runway
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the ladies
find it fast
You can’t go wrong with dressing up, but comfort is key!
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 Tips
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
find it fast
J. Crew
Dillards
Nordstrom
Urban Outfitters
Banana Republic
Ralph Lauren
JoS. A. Bank Clothiers
Indochino
Suitsupply
Men's Warehouse
ASOS
Rent the Runway
Favorite Shops
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
for the gents
for the kids
Outfits
WHERE TO SHOP
Again, you can’t go wrong with dressing up, but comfort is key!
We also recommend letting the kids have input. If your daughter hates wearing dresses, don’t force her to wear one for the session. If your son thinks that bowties are uncomfortable, ditch it. Happy kids make for happy photos!
find it fast
Wardrobe Tips
for the kids
Outfits
WHERE TO SHOP
Favorite Shops
Reverie Threads
Joyfolie
H&M
Boden
Etsy (trendy kids clothes)
Maisonette
Dillards
Nordstrom
Rent the Runway
find it fast
Outfits
WHERE TO SHOP
Since the main focus of your maternity portraits is your bump, solid colors are a great option. They will allow your belly to stand out and create timeless portraits. A great alternative to patterns is textures, like lace. It is stunning and feminine!
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.
We also have several gowns in our client closet that you are more welcome to borrow for your maternity session.
find it fast
Wardrobe Tips
Outfits
WHERE TO SHOP
Favorite Shops
Rent the Runway
Mama Bump Rentals
@ReviveYoSoul on Instagram (Rental)
Etsy
Amazon
Baltic Born
PinkBlush Maternity
Ingrid & Isabel
Dillards
Nordstrom
find it fast
Night Out
If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t get dressed up all that often. Which means that the day of your family session is the perfect occasion for a lovely dinner night (or brunch if your session is in the morning!)
The family session is another part of celebrating your unity and heading off to dinner is a great way to end the session!
Locations
new mexico area LOCATIONS
We love when families choose a location for their session that complements them. The best session locations are often meaningful places to you; however, we’re also happy to make recommendations. From ski slopes to lavender fields, to apple picking, the options for family session locations are endless!
Railyards
Downtown ABQ
Old Town
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
around abq
Your Home | Lifestyle
Aquarium
Favorite Bakery
Favorite Museum
Favorite Coffee Shop
indoor
Sandia Crest
Sandia Peak Tram
Elena Gallegos Open Space
Michael Emery Trailhead
Piedra Lisa Canyon Trail
Sandia Mountains
Alameda Open Space
Rio Rancho Bosque Preserve
Coors Bosque Trails
Tingley Beach
Glass Graveyard
Rio Grande
Cooking class
Jemez
White Sands
Tent Rocks
Plaza Blanca
Hot Air Balloon
ADVENTURE
The above locations are all beautiful, but we also love exploring meaningful locations with you!
When it comes to posing for your family 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 your family 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
We get it. Having your picture taken for an hour might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. At first you might feel sort of awkward being in front of the camera. But I think you’ll find that by the end of the session, it’s a lot easier than you thought, and you even had a little fun.
The Guys
A NOTE TO
While we shoot most of our family sessions between April and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of our families choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
01
02
03
04
Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your family photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 4pm to catch the sunset. We recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
In spite of the heat, we’re big fans of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your family photos during the summer, we recommend bringing extra makeup and water to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
01
02
03
04
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
We’ll check in the week of your family session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and review the weather. We know it takes a lot of time to get ready for a family session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain.
Let us know what works best for you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, we typically try to make the decision to reschedule at least 12 hours in advance.
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 then focussing on the "hoomans". We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, we recommend exercising them before the session and bringing your pet's favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot and bring lint rollers.
Pets
Props
let's get creative!
If you’re planning to bring props to your family session, we recommend including them if they’re meaningful to you and/or they will get the kids excited.
Destination Family Sessions
While we take most of our family sessions in the New Mexico area, we’ve photographed sessions everywhere from Colorado to Oklahoma to Nashville, Tennessee. If you have a location in mind that is significant to your family, let us know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your photos outside of our normal area.
Travel fees may apply depending on the location and our availability.
As soon as possible after your session is complete, we’ll download and edit your session's photographs. Unless we have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your family photos within 2 weeks after your session.
When to Expect Your Images
We know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your family session! However if there is something we missed, or you need a recommendation, feel free to email
Hello@SarahKathrynDPhotography.com