How to set your family up for success

A boutique portrait session means you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. A boutique portrait experience should feel personal, relaxed and easy from beginning to end.

Before your session, we’ll talk through the details together—what you want your photographs to feel like, locations, clothing, and the people and relationships that matter most. We'll figure out together how you want to preserve your family's story.

Think about what you want to remember. Before the session, notice the little things happening in your family right now—the way your child holds your hand, a missing tooth, how your teenager laughs, the way siblings interact, the dog who follows everyone everywhere. Or maybe it's a family milestone, a birthday, anniversary, graduation. When was the last time you and your spouse were photographed? Do you have a photograph with each of your children?

Don't save meaningful things for “someday.” Bring the dog. Bring the cowboy hat Grandpa gave him. Bring the old truck, guitar, ballet shoes, favorite blanket or whatever is genuinely part of your family's story. Not props for the sake of props—things that actually mean something and tell the story of your family. We'll chat about this at our consultation.

Give yourself breathing room. Don't schedule your day so tightly that everyone arrives stressed. Build in extra time for getting dressed, driving, feeding kids and the inevitable missing shoe.

Empty your pockets. Phones, keys, wallets, sunglasses, hair ties on wrists and bulky items have a sneaky way of showing up in photographs.

Tell me what you're worried about. If someone hates being photographed, a child is shy, Dad isn't thrilled about family pictures, there's a family dynamic I should know about, or there's something you're self-conscious about, I'd rather know. I can quietly take care of it without making it a “thing.”

Parents: you don't have to manage your children for me. This one feels particularly important for your brand. Let you be Mom or Dad and let me worry about the photographs. If a child needs to run, play, warm up or take a break, that's part of the experience.

And don't wait until everyone loses ten pounds, gets braces off, grows their hair out, or life feels less busy. You aren't documenting some future, perfected version of your family. You're preserving the people you love as they are right now.

As your session gets closer, a few simple things will help you feel your best:

Choose clothing you feel comfortable and confident in. I’ll help with colors, coordination and what photographs beautifully.
Take care of the little things ahead of time. Haircuts, nails, grooming and anything else that helps you feel like yourself.
Make sure everyone is fed and rested. Especially the littlest members of the family.
Where sunscreen.
Bring a few essentials. Water, lip gloss, a brush, comfortable shoes, snacks for kids—and anything meaningful you’d love included.
Skip the “everyone better behave” talk. Seriously. Kids are allowed to be kids.
Come ready to be together. Laugh, play, snuggle, move and love on your people.

Most importantly, you don’t need to know how to pose or what to do. That’s my job. I promise, I will guide you every step of the way.

Let go of the perfection. Show up ready to love on your people. I'll take care of the rest.

[ Questions? Contact Me! ]

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How to Prep For Your Telluride Portrait Session

How to set your family up for success

As your session gets closer, a few simple things will help you feel your best:

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