Preparing for Your Family Session
The best way to prepare for your photo session is to let go of perfection. Children are in a new environment with a photographer they don't know yet, and it is completely natural for them to act a bit shy, energetic, or unpredictable. I never rush family sessions—some of the most authentic, treasured photos happen during unscripted moments, games, and quiet pauses. Trust the process, go with the flow, and let me capture your family just as you are.
01.
Keep Energy Light
Children mirror your mood. Relaxing and focusing on having fun together keeps everyone at ease. Frame the upcoming session as a fun adventure rather than a high-pressure event.
02.
Pack Backup Comforts
Bring favorite mess-free snacks, water, and small motivators to keep spirits high throughout the session.
03.
Feed Before We Begin
Top off and change your little one right before our start time so they begin feeling comfortable and content.
04.
Pack Extra Clothes
Outfits get messy fast! Bring a backup outfit for baby, along with extra clothes for potty-training toddlers.
Timing & Golden Hour
Family sessions usually run about 60 minutes, starting roughly two hours before sunset. This timing captures that soft, gorgeous "golden hour" light while avoiding squinting, harsh shadows, and bright sun spots. Because we are working directly with the setting sun, punctuality is key—arriving on time ensures we don't lose precious light for your family's photos.
Late summer sunsets often overlap with dinner or bedtime, especially in late spring and summer. The following can help your little ones thrive through the shift in routine.
01.
Feed Everyone First
Serve dinner or a hearty snack before we start so nobody is shooting on an empty stomach
02.
Adjust Naps
Consider pushing naptime a bit later in the day or letting your child sleep a little longer so they have energy for the evening.
03.
Pack PJs for the Drive
Bring pajamas to slip them into right after we wrap up—that way, they can go straight to bed when you get home.
04.
Consider Seasonality
If staying up late really won't work for your youngest kiddos, booking a session during spring or autumn offers earlier sunset times that better match early bedtimes.
Posing & Directed Prompts
Effortless & Natural Guidance
When it comes to posing, you don't need to worry about a thing! Rather than stiff, rigid poses, I use gentle prompts and simple direction—like asking you to point out something fun in the distance, whisper a secret, or share a laugh—to let genuine connections unfold naturally.
Have a special hobby or activity you love doing as a family? I would love to add something you love. think flying a kite, a family jam session, or wrapping up our session with a few casts into the river. Incorporating things like his can really tell the story of your family and get genuine expressions from everyone.
Creating Authentic Moments
If a prompt feels a little unexpected in the moment, it’s usually by design! These lighthearted directions create real interactions, natural movement, and spontaneous smiles—which lead to the candid, authentic photos you’ll treasure most.
Relax & Enjoy the Experience
Throughout our time together, I’ll keep an eye on all the fine details—smoothing stray hair, straightening outfits, and making sure everyone looks great—so you can focus entirely on connecting with your family and enjoying the experience.
Locations & planning for the Weather
Whether you love wide-open spaces, scenic mountain backdrops, or vibrant city vibes, there are endless options to choose from:
- Water & Nature Parks: Fish Creek Park (Shannon Terrace, Bebo Grove, Hull's Wood), Glenmore Reservoir & Boat Docks, Anne & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.
- Urban & Modern: Inglewood, Kensington, Stephen Avenue, Central Library, High Park, SAIT Parkade, Downtown Rooftops.
- Scenic & Seasonal: Local flower or sunflower fields, tree farms, Saskatoon Farm, Big Rock in Okotoks.
- Mountain Views & Adventure Destinations* (travel/park fees may apply): Elbow Falls, Barrier Lake, Bighorn Lookout, Quarry Lake, Glenbow Ranch, Drumheller Hoodoos, Waterton Lakes & Red Rock Canyon.
Have a special place in mind? I love photographing at personal spots like family farms, cabins, or favorite neighborhood trails!
Flexible Weather Scheduling Calgary weather can be unpredictable, session times or dates can be shifted if needed.
- Weather Check-Ins: I touch base the week of your session to confirm details and monitor the forecast.
- Advance Notice: Getting dressed up only to get rained out is no fun. If bad weather looks likely, we aim to make a call at least 12 hours in advance to reschedule or adjust plans seamlessly.
Styling & What to Wear
Coordinating Your Color Palette
Aim for Complementary, Not Matching: Choose 2–3 main colours in a similar tone, then balance them with neutral shades. For instance, if one person wears a dress with a muted green, burgundy and brown, others can wear solid green, burgundy , or brown with another neutral like a cream. You could also add a complimentary pattern like a stripe in the same colours.
Embrace Textures & Subtle Patterns: Mix in rich textures like linen, lace, velvet, or knitwear. Larger, subtle patterns photograph beautifully; avoid tiny, tight patterns that can create a busy visual effect on camera.
Mind the Tones: Pastels, earth tones, and jewel tones photograph exceptionally well. Avoid bright neon colors, as they tend to reflect unwanted neon casts onto skin tones.
Start With Mom
I always like to start with Mom’s outfit first and pull colors from that to coordinate the rest of the family. Selecting a flowy wrap maxi, fit-and-flare, or romantic dress with movement creates an effortless look on camera, while comfortable sleeves and structured waistlines naturally highlight your shape. Adding subtle textures, along with accessories brings beautiful depth to your photos while giving your hands a natural place to rest during poses. While heels do a wonderful job elongating legs, bringing along a comfortable pair of flats or sandals to slip into between locations makes moving around during your session seamless and comfortable.
What About The Guys?
For him, start with what feels comfortable and natural, as feeling good in your clothes translates directly into relaxed, confident photos. A well-fitted button-up shirt is a timeless foundation that pairs effortlessly with clean chinos or dark, elevated denim and leather shoes or boots. Layering with a fitted blazer, crewneck sweater, or cozy cardigan adds rich texture and polished depth—especially during cooler months. Finishing the look with subtle details, like a structured collar or a jacket, brings a sophisticated yet easygoing feel to his overall aesthetic.
Consider the Final Goal of these Images
Consider the final goal of your images. Are you planning to print these pictures to hang on the walls of your living room? Maybe a hallway? Choosing clothing that compliments the room you will be displaying your photos might be a good idea in this case.
After Your Session & Final Artwork
Gallery & Delivery Timeline As soon as I finish shooting, I back up your raw files and begin hand-crafting your images.
- Final Image Delivery: Your fully polished digital files will be ready within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Printed products: These will be available for ordering from your online gallery (Custom album and wall art production timelines vary depending on the hand-crafted materials selected)
The Power of Tangible Prints Digital files are wonderful for sharing today, but technology evolves fast. Think back fifteen years ago—images stored on floppy disks, CDs, or old hard drives are nearly impossible to view on today’s devices, and online links eventually expire.
Physical prints, heirloom albums, and custom wall art are built to outlast changing technology. Long after phones update and platforms change, tangible photos remain in your hands and on your walls—becoming cherished family heirlooms that tell your story for generations.
