THE LAURA MATTHEWS
FAMILY PORTRAIT GUIDE
Welcome! I've been creating portraits for 15 years and working with children and families is one of my greatest joys! Photographing your family is such an honor and I do not take a single moment for granted.
My goal with this Family Guide is to help you prepare for your session and get the MOST out of your experience. Your family session is an investment and of your time with me is precious…so it’s my job to be sure you're fully prepared! In this guide you will find suggestions for outfits, accessories, hair and makeup, ways to customize your experience, what to expect the day of your shoot, how your final gallery will look and everything in between! Please take the time to read it thoroughly to ensure you have all of the information you need to make your session the absolute best it can be!
I want your session and your images to reflect exactly who you are as a family, and I’m here to help ensure we make that happen. Use the content in this guide as suggestions, but feel free to reach out to me at any point in the planning process to chat about how we can make it personal to YOU and create images you will look back on and LOVE for years to come.
Can’t wait to work with you!
I'm Laura!
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I've been a professional photographer since 2009 and began my business capturing milestone moments. I'm also a sentimental wife and mother and understand the importance of capturing your family in this stage.
Portraits can seem daunting, but they don't have to be! I'm known for my easy and comfortable approach to photographing my clients. I love putting you at ease, which sets the stage for authentic and natural portraits...my signature style!
I'm endlessly thankful for my clients who choose me as their photographer and cannot wait to work with YOU!
in case we haven't met...
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire portrait experience, step-by-step! Your photography starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your session day!
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You will find all the information you need in this guide. I have included every single detail you may need to know for your session day! Please read it thoroughly in the weeks prior to your session and let me know if you have any questions. :)
this PORTRAIT guide
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the week before
The week before your session, you can expect and email from me with our meeting time, location, final invoice, and last minute instructions! I photograph portraits at “golden hour” - typically 2-3 hours before sunset. These times of day have the most amazing, glowy light, cooler temperatures and less crowds at popular locations. Overcast days are also perfect, creating a soft blanket of beautiful light. If we have threatening weather, we will discuss as it gets closer to the date.
This is also the best time to prep and hang all outfits for portrait day!
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SESSION day!
This section of the guide could be its own book in itself! There are so many fun things to talk about for the day of your session! Let’s dive into what to expect and what's most important each minute of your session:
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL. And I don’t just say that because of my time, I say that because we are on the SUN’S time. If you've booked an Exclusive or Micro Session, I shoot multiple clients back-to-back on those days, so my schedule is super tight. So, try to plan to be 10 minutes early for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you're late to your session, I can only work as long as your scheduled session time, which means I won't be able to deliver the fully gallery of portraits I promise and/or we may have to leave out key desired images.
the first Few minutes
When you arrive at your session location, we'll begin shooting right away! I typically start out with the larger family group shots and then move on to smaller groups and individual photos. I will give you lots of direction on how to pose and I promise to put you at ease very quickly. The most important advice I give my families is to relax. I want you to be yourself and capture your genuine smiles, laughter, and personality. It typically only takes one or two photos to feel comfortable. You will see really quickly that a photography session is super easy and fun!
Managing the Kiddos
A day or two prior, explain something such as, "we're going to meet our friend Laura and she's going to take pictures of our family! These photos are special to us and it will be lots of fun! I will want you to be happy and put on your best listening ears. Afterwards, we will go have _____ (favorite treat)!" Reminding kids each day up until picture day will help!
Be prepared to PLAY with your kid(s)! My sessions are lighthearted and fun. In my 15 years of photographing families I've learned yelling NEVER works, bribery only works for a little while, but playing or engaging with your children (yes, even the older ones!) always leads to wonderful lifestyle portraits! If your child/ren are just having an off day, we will do our best with the time we have.
Happy Family Tips
Make sure to have a snack prior to your session and bring bottled water along. Hungry kids/dads and photos don’t mix, so be sure to adjust your routine a bit if dinner will fall during portrait time. Feel free to bring along a treat your child loves. I highly favor rewards for cooperation and smiles, but please wait until the end of the session!
Please keep in mind I’m a mom, too. If your child is shy, grumpy, or is full of energy, I usually have a trick up my sleeve to still capture great images! I may ask for a little alone time with your child just to spark their interest or follow their lead.
Family portraits are usually the last thing Dads want to participate in, but reassure them I'm a professional, have done this quite a while, and it's important to you! :)
Booked a full session? Let's talk locations...
are they a big deal?
Aside from choosing your outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your LOCATION is a big part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your images. It also takes a little bit of logistical planning to map out where we will shoot, traffic, and travel time, so make sure you share your location choice with me at least 7 days prior to your session. Number one, if you have small children in your family, safety matters most and we will choose locations accordingly. Overall, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer but hear me out: if you have the most beautiful garden location in mind with tons of fluffy flowers and manicured walkways…but it’s in the DIRECT sunlight all day long or the sun sets in an unfavorable direction…it’s actually not an ideal place to shoot. It would be better to have the session in a random field with gorgeous back-light coming through the trees…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your session…and let this guide your location choices!
While the location of your session totally matters…it may not matter quite as much as you think. Many of the images in your final gallery will be close-up images…meaning you can’t see a whole lot of the background. What you CAN see is the colors, light and overall “feel” of the location. This should also be based on your family's personal style. For example, if you want an urban gallery…we probably don’t need to photograph every section of Downtown...we just need one small section of one building or cobblestone street to give your images that overall feel. If you want a rustic vibe…we don’t need to visit a farm. We can do some in grassy areas, down paths, gravel roads, or in a makeshift field with tall grasses. The point is: don’t get caught-up and stressed over the specific location. Choose a “vibe” that you want that matches your outfits…and I can help you pick spots that will make it happen!
(If you have booked a Micro or Exclusive Session, your location is already set and you can skip this part! :)
Now for the most frequently asked question: WHAT DO I WEAR!? Choosing what you will wear for session is a huge decision that can make or break your portrait session! Gone are the matchy-matchy outfit days and white shirt and khakis! This section will break down my best tips for what to wear and how to style your family session outfits (and some great inspiration!)
What to Wear
1. Don't be afraid of color!
Complimentary colors photograph best. Choose colors of a similar palette, such as autumn tones or pastels and work from there. Add patterns and textures for interest. My motto is always “coordinating, not matching.”
2. be Comfortable
Keep in mind you will be sitting, standing, lying, etc. and your session most likely will be outdoors. Your outfit should allow you to freely move.
3. add layers
In the cold months (fall + winter), adding layers to your outfits always looks STUNNING in portraits! A sweater with a flannel underneath paired with a vest, statement earrings, or scarf adds so much dimension to your images and makes for super fun posing options! Even in the warmer months (spring + summer) you can add these layers + dimension by wearing a tank top with a cute sheer cardigan or by throwing a denim jacket over a dress!
4. Dress to your location
Remember, the outfits you choose should reflect your personal style as well as go with the location of your session. For example, cowboy boot and jeans look great at casual, rustic locations, but probably not in an urban setting.
5. Please Accessorize!
6. no wrinkles!
There is a whole section dedicated to props and accessories coming up in this guide…but it’s honestly one of the most important parts! Adding accessories like jewelry, hats, fun shoes, etc. to your outfits adds a whole new layer of detail to your portrait gallery. I’m a huge fan of statement earrings, a bright lip color, a super fun shoe, colorful sun or winter hats or even a ball cap…ALL of these things give us so much more variety with posing + create such beautiful pictures!
Editing out wrinkles can take hours PER PHOTO...which can result in your images taking a lot longer to get back and require additional fees for extensive edits. Make sure everything has been steamed and I highly suggest hanging each outfit separately to prevent wrinkles! We will be doing a lot of moving around, sitting, walking, etc. at your session. If the material of your outfit easily wrinkles...you may want to be careful.
Color Palettes
Here are a few of my favorite color palettes that photograph beautifully!
Hair and Makeup
If it is in your budget, hiring a professional for your hair and makeup can make difference in the quality of your photos. You're investing a lot in your portrait experience and want to look your best. However, if you're comfortable creating your own makeup look, go for it (read my styling tips below!)
my RECOMMENDATIONS
Here are some of the amazing artists I recommend in the Richmond area.
Radiant Reflection
RICHMOND MAKEUP ARTIST
- Plan to wear slightly heavier make-up than normal (remember heavier doesn't mean darker). A light foundation to even out skin tone, and well-blended blush and bronzer are key! Make sure to blend!!!
- A lipstick or gloss that are at least slightly darker than your lip color is a must, even if you don't usually wear makeup! Without it, the camera will wash out your lips.
- Make sure brows are neat and tidy. Unruly brows are distracting. You can use a clear mascara to keep them in place.
- I highly recommend powder if you have oily skin.
- For hair, I highly recommend working WITH instead of AGAINST your natural hair texture, especially in the warmer months. A heat and humidity finishing spray is your friend!
- Brush your teeth just before applying lip color to make sure your smile is super sparkly!
My STYLING TIPS!
I've got you covered!
Now, for the slightly less fun part...let's address a few quick things that could go wrong at your session. These are some frequently asked questions that I get about common problems that can pop up...and I want you to feel as prepared as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some questions that I get often, and what to do if anything goes wrong leading up to your session date!
Click to view the answers to each FAQ.
This is by far the most asked question I get about things that could go wrong, which makes total sense...because bad weather happens all the time! If there's unfavorable weather in the forecast for your session, rest assured I have options to reschedule! I typically wait until the noon the day of the session to make a final decision about weather because it changes so often. However, if it is clear there will be a weather event or there are scheduling difficulties, we may make arrangements earlier.
If you've scheduled a WEEKEND Exclusive or Micro Session and we have to reschedule due to weather, ONE alternative weekend date will be offered. If you cannot reschedule on the backup weekend date, a weekday afternoon/evening will be offered. So sorry, I have extremely limited weekend availability.
Possible Weather Scenarios:
If there's a 50% chance of rain or MORE or the radar looks threatening: My professional recommendation in these scenarios is to reschedule. Even if it doesn't end up raining, it's always better to be safe than sorry, trust me!
Wind: Sometimes, we can shoot despite the wind if we're strategic with WHERE we shoot. But if there are crazy gusts it will be difficult to create all the images I promise, so it may be best to reschedule.
Cloudy: I have a lot of clients who worry about cloudy days because they think their images won't be as bright and beautiful...but rest assured, that's not true!! Cloudy days are actually AMAZING for photographers...because it means there are no harsh shadows and we can shoot anywhere! Unless it is a seriously dark grey day with storm clouds...cloudy days are our friend! AND they aren't as hot! :)
Heat: The humidity and heat in Virginia can be super difficult for many reasons. If it's particularly hot and/or humid (typically over 92 degrees at our session time), I often will choose to reschedule for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, sweating and red faces aren't flattering for portraits. Humidity can cause a hazy look to images, which I'm not particularly fond of in my work. And lastly on a personal note, I have a heart arrhythmia which is unfortunately triggered by extreme heat. Let's be safe on the super hot days.
It happens. Did you know I'm a Registered Nurse? I understand we fall ill sometimes. In an effort to keep myself healthy so I can continue serving clients, I kindly ask you to contact me to reschedule, even if it's last minute. Portraits are not worth the effort when you're not feeling or looking your best. I promise we will reschedule as soon as possible.
my child is shy, has a disability, or intellectual impairment.
No worries! I've worked with people of all different personalities and abilities over the years. Please let me know in advance if you have any specific concerns or needs during your session.
Can I bring my dog?
I always welcome your dog (or any pet!) to your session as long as they're friendly, current on vaccinations, and our location allows pets. Be sure to bring along treats and water. Neutral colored collars and leashes are less noticeable in portraits. I’m generally not able to edit leashes out of finished images, so make sure they are “dressed” to coordinate.
Gallery Delivery
I have a lightening fast turnaround time, but during prime seasons it may take up to 10-14 days to receive your completed images. I will give you an idea of my current workload prior to the end of your session so you know what to expect. You'll receive an email with the link to your full gallery as soon as it's ready. This is where you will be able to download, share and print all of your high resolution digital images. You can download individual images or the entire gallery at once. You can also individually save photos to your phone to start sharing on social media! The next few pages of the guide will walk you through how to use your gallery and the best ways to print and display your new favorite photos. Be sure to come back and reference this after your session!
After your session, my favorite part of the process is sharing your sneak peeks! I truly get just as excited about your images as you do…and I usually go straight home to edit a handful of my favorites and post them to my social media pages! You can expect sneak peeks to be shared on Facebook and Instagram the night of or early the next day…and you're welcome to share them, too!
The Sneak Peeks
Gallery delivery day is THE MOST EXCITING!!! I will send you the link to your final gallery in an email. This gallery is where you can easily download, share and print all of your high resolution digital files. Your gallery is SO easy to use, and beautiful if I do say so myself. It will remain open for one year. Make sure to save your image files on your computer, a cloud service, and a hard copy such as a USB flash drive. Place a copy in a safe deposit or fire proof box.
The Gallery Delivery
You will be prompted to log into your gallery with your email. This is for your safety and my records! This way, I know exactly who is viewing your gallery and downloading your images...and you know that random people can't get access to it without us knowing! Additionally, you can favorite images to note which ones you'd like to print, use for albums, wall art, or announcements.
Logging In
There are quite a few ways to download and save your digital images! When you are looking at your full gallery, you can click this button (the down arrow) to open the download menu:
Downloading Your Images
It will open a menu where you can download a folder of ALL of your images or just your favorites! You will need to enter the PIN number you were given in your gallery delivery email to download. You can click on the individual photos to view and download them one at a time, or download the entire gallery.
Printing Your Images
I truly believe so deeply in the power of printing your images and displaying them in your home. There is something so special about having a physical copy of these memories to cherish and pass down to other family someday. I have albums of my family photos, milestone sessions with my son, vacation pictures... and I look through them ALL the time! You took the time to invest so much money into your senior session...why not print the images and have a physical way to cherish them and share them?
As you know, I do not have any purchase minimums or requirements in terms of printing your images. They are yours to share and print from whenever you prefer! But there is the option to purchase professional-quality prints and products through your online gallery. This is the ONLY printing option that I personally and professionally recommend in terms of quality and durability. If you print somewhere else, I can NOT guarantee that the quality of the images will look the same as they do online, or that the products and prints themselves will be durable.
My honest suggestion is this: if you want to print your images larger than a 4x6…the professional printer through your online gallery is the best way to go.
In the next few pages, I'm going to walk you through the "shop" portion of your senior gallery. This is where you can find prints, wall art, framed prints, graduation cards and more directly through my professional printer!
Accessing The Shop
The Print Store is located in the menu of your online gallery. You can easily browse all prints, wall art, custom albums, announcements, and more! All products are shipped directly to you!
ALBUMS
One of my personal favorite ways to display your images is in an album. How wonderful to be able to display your images in a beautiful way to enjoy for years to come. You can pick from many gorgeous cover options and easily design in your gallery!
Albums make amazing gifts for loved ones, too! Especially Grandparents!
Cards
I adore my card shop and there are TONS of great designs! These holiday cards are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the professional print quality means your images will look incredible featured on each card!
