a step by step guide
What to Expect at
Your Photoshoot Session
by kelcie johnson
Essentials for
the Day
Preparing the right items for your session is one the most important steps in crating a smooth and enjoyable experience. What you bring may look a little different depending on the type of session, but here are some helpful ideas to consider:
For families with little ones: Snacks, water, or a favorite toy can help keep your kids happy and comfortable. If you’d like just photos of you and your spouse, something to occupy their time (or a quick break) can make all the difference. Additionally, a stroller may be helpful in the event you need to walk to find a spot to photograph.
For Maternity Sessions: A small bag for your belongings, as well as any sentimental items you’d like to include – such as onesies, baby shoes, or sonogram photos.
For Newborn Sessions: Cozy blankets, meaningful outfits, or little props you’d like to incorporate. These personal touches make your photos even more special.
For Engagement Sessions: A change out outfit is always a great idea to give your gallery more variety! Signs with your upcoming wedding date, "save the date" or even custom Newspapers are a fun way to spread the word
For All Sessions: A blanket to sit on if we’re shooting outdoors, plus anything that adds comfort or personality to your photos.
Lastly, if you have a vision board, Pinterest inspiration, or specific ideas in mind – feel free to send them to your photographer ahead of time. That way, they can make sure your photos reflect the look and feel you’re dreaming of.
Planning Your
Outfits
When it comes to choosing what to wear, neutral tones and soft, muted colors always photograph beautifully and keep the focus on you rather than your clothes. Instead of everyone wearing the same thing, aim for outfits that complement one another by pulling from a similar color palette – this creates a cohesive look without feeling too “matchy”. Simple textures like knits, linen or lace can add depth, while bold patterns, logos, or neon colors can be distracting in photos. Most importantly, wear something that feels natural and comfortable to you – if you feel good in it, it will shine through in your images.
What to Expect
on the Day of
When you arrive at your session, take a few minutes to settle in and get comfortable. Your photographer should guide you through everything, so there’s no need to worry about posing or what to do next – that’s their job. If kids are part of your session, I like to give them a little time to warm up and explore so the experience feels fun and relaxed. Those are two important things I encourage you to look for in any photographer you choose.
Before beginning it’s a good idea to take off all rubber bands from wrists, empty phones or keys from pockets, and set aside sunglasses or hats (unless you’d like them to be in your photos). From there, your photographer will ease into the session with simple prompts and poses, and before you know it, you’ll forget the camera is even there. In my sessions, my goal is to create a fun, comfortable atmosphere so you can enjoy the moment while I capture it. The best thing you can do is focus less on the camera and more on each other. Laugh, move and interact the way you normally would, and let your photographer capture the moments in between. Remember, it’s not about perfect poses – it’s about genuine connection.
After the Photoshoot
Once your session time wraps up, you can relax knowing the hard part is done – your photographer will take it from there! They carefully go through all of the images, select the very best, and edit them to reflect the style you see in their work. My turnaround time is 2-3 weeks where you’ll receive a gallery link in your email where you can view, download and share your photos. I don’t have photo limits, which means if the photo is beautiful and worthy of editing – it’s yours. I will not charge you for extra photos after our session is over. However, it's important to ask your photographer if they have any photo limits and what their turnaround time is - especially when planning around important dates such as holiday photos, newborn photos or engagement photos.
If you have an outstanding balance, your photographer will inform you of how payment can be made, such as via Venmo, through an invoice or in cash --whichever is most convenient for you.
And just a reminder: don’t stress if the kids were a little wiggly or if you weren’t sure how you looked. I promise you'll be surprised how beautifully the real, in-between moments photograph. When I photograph families, I always focus on connection over perfection - and that's something I encourage you to look for in any photographer you choose.
