Welcome to your Client Lounge

I am SO excited you're here...

My wish is that you'll never have to interview another photographer again - I'm in it for every chapter from birth to graduations to elopements. I can't wait to watch your family grow. A little about the sessions I adore:

The Feeling of a photo. I want to show you what it looks like from the outside looking in.
I love movement. If you can think of this as a video session, the more you keep moving the more variety we have the more fulfilling our story.
I love closeness. Think about a momma snuggling her baby or a couple coming in real tight.
I love pure joy. Let go. Find your laugh. Find play again.
I love sincerity and contentment. Think how do you naturally engage with your family? Lean into that.
I love romantic nostalgia. The photos you can envision yourself 40 years from now looking at and remembering exactly how that moment felt.
I love an intense portrait. Stare right into my camera's soul. But also... don't look at me all the time. engage with the others around you. Commit either way.

Remember, we are catching moments. I'll give you direction and you can go with it or change it up. Hold on to any of this that speaks to you. Be present and have blissful fun.

If you are worried about being in front of the camera, here is a bit more help about how to move, react, engage. We're not posing here, we are authentically un-posing.

DON'T Be A Poser

What's Next?

If you've:

Paid your invoice
Booked your session
Completed your contract

You're all set with me. After we've selected the location and time, I'll be in touch the week of your session with details we'll need to complete the process and wrap up.

If you need a little extra help choosing your wardrobe, you can always text me photos and we can find something that is cohesive for the entire family. If you really need help, You can schedule a Style + Design Appointment and I'll be more than happy to give you more dedicated time and space over ZOOM.

This Style and Design Appt can also be really useful if you are planning on purchasing wall art and need help with measurements for pieces or designing wall space. In this case it would be in person. For an In person Style and Design Meeting an invoice for a deposit for Wall Art purchase will be sent prior to your scheduled appointment.

CONTRACTS

Still need to fill yours out? Please have it completed as soon as possible and at least two weeks prior to your session, advanced notice is required for locations with advanced travel, permits, and reservations required; without these prior arrangements, desired locations may not be available.

Here are links to the most popular contracts. If you don't see yours listed, please reach out.

Full Family Contract

mom huddles with boys sitting in front of her on a patio

Your Session

The location of the session depends on what you indicated in your contract. We have a few different options to choose from that I like to work at, but if you have something specific in mind, it may work as well. Having your contract completed as soon as possible helps tremendously here. Indicating where you want your session, allows me to give you my preferred location list, allows us to obtain any reservations or permits we may need.

I will be in touch so we can narrow down the location once your contract is complete.

The Timing

In a full family session we will be shooting for about an hour. Enough time to get all we need and more.
For headshots and senior sessions we will find a natural stopping point around an hour and a half.
Half sessions are 30 minutes.
Coffee Shop or Pop Up sessions are 20 minutes.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to your session for parking, walking, transitioning, and attending to whatever needs before we get rolling.

Weather. Sometimes weather gets in the way. Please make sure to schedule a back up date just in case, this starts by adding one to your contract.

Location List

Time of Day

I know what it is like to have little ones and have to be some where during their nap time or witching hour. Not cool.

We will largely go around what you think is best if you have little ones to think of. But I do have some suggestions.

In Home. We will need to do it mid morning as that is when the sun is at its brightest and best lighting the inside of your home. We will turn off the lights and open the shades for the best lighting scenario.

Outdoors. In an urban setting we can do mid morning to mid afternoon so the sun is high enough to give us light between the buildings.

In a natural setting early morning or late afternoon is best. We want to avoid the harsh sunlight that comes from the sun being at its highest point causing strong highlights and dark shadows. Although this time of day usually creates bright colors and beautiful hues. So it isn't out of the question.

If you want golden hour - we will have to get up early or stay up later. We will watch for sunset and sunrise times. The clouds won't give us this golden hue, so we may have to adjust if the weather looks overcast to give us more light.

Take a look at the portfolios and let me know what background and lighting you love best. This will help us narrow down our location.

Also, read this reference guide for examples of images taken at different times of the day...

Time of Day Matters

Expectations

It is an absolute guarantee not everything will go according to plan the day of your session. You may miss your alarm, the kids won't eat, you may be late, and no one may be cooperating. But please know, we will get through it all with beautiful photos in tow.

Children. None of them love being told what to do, where to stand, where to look, and least of smile. But that is all okay, because we just need them to be themselves. That is what photographs are for - capturing the now for later. Lets let them explore, and I want you to explore and engage with them. Lets give them guidelines and boundaries while allowing them to maintain their identity. Lets work with them not against them. Prepare them by letting them know the plan, having them rest before the session, and eat. Bring dry snacks and their favorite toy or stuffie. We can take breaks and let them lead but I will be shooting away during all of it.

What to wear. Let me know if you need help with styling your families outfits. But I give lots of advice in the very detailed | Styling Guide. | In short, dress for the season, dress for the environment, dress for your comfort and personality, and try to coordinate colors and patterns as easily as possible. Sometimes less is more, simple is beauty, neutrals with a splash of color every once in a while is good. If you need some extra help, you can schedule a style appointment here.

If we are having a session in your home. Please don't feel the need to make it miraculously clean. We will clean up areas where we are shooting as we go along. And honestly, some of the mess adds to the story. I am a mom, I have a home, I work, I live in real time America too - I know what it is like.

HOW TO: Prepare the Kids

After your session...

Unless you have paid to have your images rush delivered, your gallery should be delivered to you within 30 days. If you have paid for rush delivery, you can expect your delivery within 7-15 days.

Your gallery will be released to you to download your images and purchase any additional wall art, albums, or prints you'd like right from your gallery.

If your session comes with a gift from me, and/or if you order any products, they will be delivered to your door about 30-60 days post session.

Products

ALBUM: You’ll hold this and feel the weighted gift of captured memories. Designed to display your photos to perfection these albums are expertly crafted, thick and sturdy pages, perfectly bound, made of the highest quality materials, and will last long enough to hand it down for generations to come.
PORTFOLIO BOX + LEDGE: An alternative to the album and made of many of the same optional materials and colors this box holds many of your images individually as loose or matted prints. Use the box to hold your prints and the ledge to display your favorite ones.
WALL ART: Framed prints, canvas, and acrylic pieces – we will create a display of art customized for you and your home.
DIGITAL FILES: High resolution files with full rights to use them as you please.

Have other questions?

I want to make sure you are completely prepared and have all you need to make this your best session ever.

Reach out to me by call, text, email, or the contact page if I didn't answer all of your questions here.

CONTACT SAM