I am going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I get when people are scheduling their photo session. For many, booking a session can be a bit nerve-racking, and I'm here to take away some of that stress!

What is the best time of day to schedule our photo shoot?

My favorite time of day is about an hour before sunset. This time period is referred to as the "golden hour" because of the gorgeous, warm, light that it produces. Obviously the exact time will be determined by the time of the year, so in the winter golden hour may start at 4:00, and in the summer it may start at 7:00 or later. This same concept can be applied to mornings as well. If you are any early bird, you might prefer to get up and at 'em and start shooting as the sun is rising.

What do we need to do to prepare for our session?

First, take a deep breath! Your photo session should be fun, and preparing yourself and your family ahead of time will make arriving at your chosen location much easier. Decide on a color scheme, and then pick clothing for each person that fits the scheme. This does not mean that everyone needs to wear, for example, white shirts and blue jeans. Pick a few colors from a pallet, and stick with those. If your scheme includes a rose gold, ivory, olive green, and grey, get a little creative and play with these colors. If it is a family session, maybe mom wears a rose gold dress and an ivory shawl or jacket, dad wears an olive green shirt and grey slacks, daughter wears an olive green dress with a rose gold headband and shoes, and son wears a grey button down top and olive green pants. When you have selected your outfits, lay them out. Take a step back and see if they all blend cohesively. If you have too many items of one color, swap something out. If one of the items looks dated, swap it out for something newer. Once you've selected the outfits, try them on. I can't stress this enough! Everyone needs to feel comfortable and happy in what they are wearing. After your clothing is selected, think about the small details that make everyone look "finished." Choose a hairstyle,  book an appointed to get your nails manicured, pick out some jewelry, etc. The day of your session, leave yourself more time than you think you will need to get ready!

How much will the photos be edited?

My personal philosophy is that I remove everything that is present on photo day, but is not normally a part of you. This includes acne, scabs, a stain on a shirt (seriously, this happens, especially with children having a quick snack or drink in the car on the way to the session, stray hairs, etc. Want more editing? I am happy to do that as well. Common requests include, whitening teeth, touching up roots, minimizing or removing wrinkles, smoothing skin to have an airbrushed look, and nips and tucks.

What do I do to prepare my pet(s)?

A tired pet is a happy pet. Make sure to get your furry friend some exercise. Take your dog for a walk or jog, or to play fetch. Ride or lunge your horse, or give them a good turn out. Once they've gotten some extra energy out, brush them (or bathe if necessary). Plan what your pet will wear. If your goal is to keep things simple, maybe just a collar or a halter. Want to go the extra step? Buy your dog a bandana or sweater. Get your horse a fancy halter or use a freshly cleaned bridle, braid their mane and tail, paint their hooves.

We aren't models, how do we pose for photos? 

I will tell you exactly where to stand for posed shots. I will tell you what to do with your hands, which way to turn your head, what type of facial expressions to use. For candid shots, I will give you a simple direction, for example, "stand here and when I say go, walk toward me slowly looking right at the camera the first ten steps, and then look to the right or left for a few steps, then look back at me until I say stop."