welcome

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

I am excited to be working with you and we can’t wait for our time together during your mini session! It’s normal to be a little nervous about your photoshoot. I always tell people that I still get nervous before having my photos taken - and I do this for a living!

Regardless of the season that you're in, and whether your babies are big, small or furry, this time in your life deserves to be captured by something other than your iPhone. My business actually began with mini sessions in the fall of 2016, and I love to continue to offer them throughout the year to my families.

Children change quickly. Loved ones pass away. And so much of life can be missed because we didn't stop to soak it in. That's why I love family photography. You can remember those snippets in time, the people you love, and the kids you've raised for forever.

My goal is to capture you and your loved ones doing what you do best - being yourselves. And hey, if I can make you laugh and have fun while we do so, then that's an even bigger win. I know we only have 20 minutes together, but we can still use that time to get some amazing pictures you'll cherish forever.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to planning a session. Since I get asked the same things over and over again, I thought it would be the most beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything you need to know. 

I'll cover what to wear, whether to bring pets & how to manage them, and more! 

- Becca

I get it. Having your pictures taken might not be in your top-10 favorite things to do during your downtime. And 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

Since this is a mini session, I have sessions booked back to back. Please plan accordingly if you are changing outfits when you get here, traffic, etc so we can start on time and not feel as rushed.

I recommend you plan to arrive about 10 minutes early so you have a little bit of a "buffer" in case you end up running late.
If you are late to the session, I cannot go past your end time to make up for it, so please keep that in mind!

we will start on time!

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 their bellies are full and they’ve has some good rest beforehand. Once your 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!

prepping your littles

My dog is huge part of our family, which is why I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we'll get less pictures since it's an extra variable to work with during the session.

I suggest bringing someone with you to the session who can help get their attention and hold the leash when your pet isn't a part of the picture. Especially since we only have 20 minutes together, having an extra person there helps tremendously!

I also recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing their favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot. 

pets

outfits

TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST

As you’re coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.” In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through.

The goal for coordinating a family is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. The more we can mix that up, the better. I encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate. When you’re planning each family member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’s going to look great all together.

FOR THE LADIES

FOR THE FAMILY

FOR THE gENTS

on to the next

find it fast

Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera. I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two instead. Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images.

When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses photograph beautifully, but if you have little ones in your photos, a floor-length dress or skirt, or perhaps a cute midi-skirt, will make moving around with your kids much easier, and look perfect on camera, too. 

say  yes to the dress

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

Dresses

for the ladies

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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in when you’re coordinating with a group. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not be as noticeable on camera. Belts, headbands, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. 

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone will photograph the most beautifully and naturally.

accessories

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

dresses

for the ladies

find it fast

Rent the Runway
ASOS
Morning Lavender
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Free People
Francesca’s
Jessakae
ModCloth
Shop Ruche
Hazel & Olive

favorite shops

Lulu's 
H&M 
Shabby Apple
Vici Dolls
Nordstrom
One Loved Babe
Arden 
Filly Flair
Virginia Dare Dress Co.
Ivory & Wren

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

dresses

for the ladies

find it fast

The last thing you want to worry about while having your pictures taken  is how your hair and makeup  look. Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup, and they also tend to hold up better for humidity and wind.

hair and makeup

ACCESSORIES

WHERE TO SHOP

HAIR & MAKEUP

dresses

for the ladies

find it fast

Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face.

So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home, too, as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants or fitted colored pants work best on camera. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also recommend staying away from graphics and logos.

wardrobe tips

WHERE TO SHOP

tips

for the gents

find it fast

Rent the Runway
ASOS
 Suit Supply
J. Crew
Zara
Leather & Cotton

Jack Threads 

Frank & Oak 

Nordstrom 
H&M
Urban Outfitters

where to shop

WHERE TO SHOP

tips

for the gents

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When  choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, and big patterns it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and green, and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments.

picking colors

picking colors

mix it up

for the FAMILY

find it fast

If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, one of your daughters could wear a dress and flats, while the other wears a skirt and boots. One of your sons could wear a bowtie, while the other one wears suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring a great visual interest to the photos.

mixing up the pieces

for the FAMILY

picking colors

mix it up

Inclement Weather

what to do if it rains

If weather is an issue, I will be in contact with you as soon as possible. In the case that we need to reschedule, I will do my best to find a new date that works best for you and your family. 

I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for your photoshoot and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let me know what works best for the two of you - but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance. 

When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I'll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make you laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for. 

Throughout your session, I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I 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

As soon as possible after your session is complete, I'll start going through your pictures to choose the best ones. You'll get a sneak peek within the first 24-36 hours with my favorite pictures from the session. The full gallery will be delivered about 2-3 weeks after your session!

when to expect your images

I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your session! However if there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email me at
rsuehicks@gmail.com.

thank you!