Choosing a Location
Sessions with Anna are not about capturing your child’s “likeness” but about capturing her essence and the heart and soul of her world. Think outside the box. Perhaps you and your son love to bake cookies together, or your daughter’s favorite thing is arts and crafts. Are you a beach family? Do you love to hang out at a local coffee shop, or the library? Feel free to come up with
Getting Ready
Preparing for your session need not be a complicated affair, but you won’t want to wait until the night before to discover your child’s sweater you planned to use needs washing or no longer fits. So what should they wear? It isn’t possible to answer that question definitively as there are so many families and children with so many styles. Anna’s images are unique by design and so your child’s clothing can be as crazy or as classic as you desire. You will want to avoid busy patterns, stiff collars, and giant logos or characters. The focus of your images should be your child, not her favorite Disney character. Trendy looks can be fabulous; hats, scarves, boots . . . truly, anything goes. Just think simple, comfortable or maybe nothing at all! It may be a good idea to pull out a few things you think you would like to use and let Anna help you decide what will work. Take note–you may end up as part of some of your child’s images, so dress yourself accordingly as well.
Groups
When planning a group photo make sure that everyone dresses in similar tones. For example, everyone wears dark clothing or light tops. Colors, as long as they don’t clash, can vary. Avoid patterns at all costs for group photos. Not only can they compete with faces but they can compete with each other as well. Think harmony.
On Location
For location sessions you may want to bring along some special things to “do” while we are shooting. Perhaps a classic bucket and shovel at the beach or even a kite to fly for an older child. Does your older child like to curl up with a good book on the grass? Bring one along! A tricycle or ride-on for the park can be a fun option; whatever it is that you and your child like to do when you are out and about will be a welcome addition.
unique ideas; memories you want captured forever. Run them by Anna; she’s ready for, almost, anything! If the location fits your family, it will most likely work. Because Anna utilizes natural and available light to create her images, some locations may pose special challenges related to time of day and available natural light. When you think of a location, consider if it has large windows and plenty of natural light. Feel free to discuss your unique ideas with us. Remember, think outside the box!
At Home
Don’t worry that your home “doesn’t look like the homes in Anna’s photos”. It isn’t often that Anna walks into a home that is “dressed to the nines”. Most sessions take place in homes just like yours. Creative cropping and angles can hide a lot. Do spend a little time clearing away any clutter that might distract. If you have a larger space near a window that can be cleared to create an open space, by all means, clear away. Anna may also ask you to move some furniture around for the optimal lighting and scene. Generally, though, your home will be photographed just as it is; so be prepared.
Your Session
Your session will last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some children are slow to warm up and things get rolling long after Anna has arrived. Some jump right in and wow us with their spirit but are “all done” before we hit the 30 minute mark. There are no rules and no script. Once you have shared your ideas and given Anna a tour of your home or we’ve settled into our location, let your child and Anna work together. If you plan to be a part of the images, just relax. Try to have fun; play, hug, dance. The more fun you have at the session, the more “fun” your images will be. Her style is impromptu and relaxed. Let the kids run, dance, play, dig in the dirt; the most important thing- relax!
Cancellations
If your child is ill or an unavoidable family crisis comes up within 24 hours of your session, please contact us and we will do everything we can to reschedule your session. If you cancel for any other reason you may forfeit your $100 deposit.
Relaxed Ordering
We love your kids! That is why we do what we do. As much as we love them, we want you to have a relaxing ordering session and to take a moment to enjoy what a blessing they are. This is best accomplished if the kids are happily playing at Grandma’s or with their favorite sitter. We promise that once you sit down, lean back and start enjoying your slideshow, you will be grateful for Grandma’s loving care.
What’s Next
After your session is when Anna’s real work begins. She will sort through the images she’s captured to find those that truly capture your child. From there, she will work with each individual image to bring out all that is wonderful about that moment caught on film. Before you know it, you will be sitting down for your ordering session in Anna’s comfortable design studio where you will enjoy all of your session images in a slideshow set to music. Anna will then show you your first edition prints in a leather album. This gives you a chance to examine and pause over each image and decide which ones you would like to incorporate into displays for your home, which ones to give to Grandma, etc. Our Collections (and their 20% discount) are only available at your initial ordering appointment so it is a good idea to come prepared. Before you arrive at your ordering appointment, look around your home and see where you might like to show off your beautiful family. It is always helpful when you have some spaces in mind before we begin. Anna can help you think of creative ways to display images based on your home and personal style.
