YAY! You’re booked!! And you’re so excited. Now what?
Let’s face it. The excitement can fade quickly when you feel any level of stress over what to wear for your session. It’s the most important part!
Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Your welcome link has a style guide that includes winning color combinations, tips for choosing what to wear, and helpful photo examples.
But that’s not the purpose of this post.
This post is all about helping YOU stay organized from booking to picture day.
So get ready to take a some notes so that you and your family can arrive to your session in great spirits and looking like a million bucks.
PLAN AHEAD
It’s my best tip! Don’t underestimate the importance of planning wardrobe choices waaaaaay before the session.
Think of it like party planning. If you save everything for the hour before guests arrive, you will run out of time for everything. Likewise, you (the planner), will help everyone in the family arrive looking and feeling their best if you are not stressed the day of pictures by having planned everything in advance.
SUGGESTED ORDER OF EVENTS
This is only a suggestion! But it may help.
Find your outfit first–you’re most likely the hardest one in the bunch, then coordinate everyone else around you
Find everyone else’s outfits next
Then, choose shoes and belts
Finally, choose jewelry and hair accessories last
Be sure to give plenty of time for shipping if you’re ordering items online. It’s likely you may find pieces one-by-one. In this case, hang what you have in the closet together while you complete the process of finding everyone’s outfit. This may take weeks!
When everyone’s outfits arrive, let them all together on a neutral colored surface to narrow down what looks good together and what doesn’t – the floor usually works well.
Take pictures. It can help!
Send the pictures to me if you want a second opinion.
Replace a piece or two if you’re unsure – trust your gut!
When you’ve finally selected the winners, then it’s time to prep them!
PREP OUTFITS DAYS/WEEKS BEFORE
Just like picking your wardrobe in advance is helpful, prepping the wardrobe in advance is also huge! Need to take that item to the dry cleaners or be sure those favorite pants get in and out of the wash? Need to iron everyone’s outfits? Beginning this process days in advance (or the week prior) will be a lifesaver!
LAY IT OUT EARLY!!
The day before pictures lay outfits out for each family member, including socks and accessories so there is little conversation needed the “day of” pictures. Having these conversations early can sometimes help the “pickiest” of family members come to terms with their selected outfit and show up in happy spirits (we ALL have at least one of them!).
REWARD THOSE HARD TO COAX KIDS PEOPLE
Let’s be sensitive to those who aren’t excited about picture day. Whether it be your four year old, your teenager, or dad <wink>. My aim is to make their experience surprisingly enjoyable! But it can help if they have something to look forward to when pictures are done. Don’t think of it as bribery (ok… who am I kidding, it IS bribery). Whether it be ice cream afterwards, or a treat at their favorite bakery. For your young ones, maybe it’s extra TV time, or video games – anything special you can think of. Tell them that just for showing up, they will get their reward- and I’ll be sure to follow through on my end by making our time together better than they expected.
I LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING YOUR STORY!
