General Portrait Tips

Tips on smiles – Don’t tell a child to smile, give them a reason to. Bring their favorite stuffed animal, their favorite toy or their favorite person! Please do not coach your children to smile, this usually results in cheesy looking smiles or frustrated parents. We encourage parents to just have fun and play with the child to get them to smile or laugh.

Making the most of your scheduled appointment time-Sessions usually last 15 minutes from start to finish. Please plan on spending 30 minutes with us just in case. We ask that you show up at your scheduled appointment time and not early or late if possible. Showing up early does not usually result in leaving early, but on the contrary usually results in a long wait. As we all know waiting makes children grumpy. We try to make each appointment as quick and painless as possible for them and you.

Wardrobe is a tough choice, so having clothes laid out early is always a good idea. Keep in mind that graphic tees and mixing prints makes for a very busy portrait and simple darker colors tend to be more slimming and flattering on adults. Short or long sleeves streamline a look more than tank tops or tube tops. If you’re unsure of what colors go together, take a look at your local paint store – the samples always have complimentary colors. If opting for make up, make sure you put it on just a little heavier than normal as the lights might wash out lighter colors and watch out for glitter – the lights really make it sparkle!

We always encourage you to bring special heirlooms from home to include in the pictures to make them more personal. Ideas include jewelry, toys, blankets, and photos.