Advice on Your Session

Our Pre-Meeting

Anna will arrange with you a time when she can visit before your actual portrait session. The pre-meeting is the ideal opportunity for you and your photographer to get to know each other and to discuss in more detail the sort of photographs you would like, the session itself, what to wear, and how you plan to display your prints.

Scheduling Your Session

About 9.30 - 10.00 am is the ideal time to start a family portrait session, but the most important thing is that you and your children should have had something to eat, and be well-rested before we start.

Your Portrait Session - What to Expect

Please take some time to read through the information below, as this will help you to get the most out of your portrait session.

The emphasis during all sessions is on having fun. You and your children will not be expected to adopt rigid, formal poses or “smile for the camera” which will only result in a contrived and artificial look.

It is therefore very important that throughout the session children aren’t made to feel that they have to do things to please the photographer or their parents; telling them to smile or look at the camera will result in an unnatural expression or a reluctance to take part.

Anna's approach is to make the session as much fun as possible. A little bribery in the form of chocolate or other treats can also work wonders if given at the right moment!

Babies can, of course, be photographed when they are asleep as well as awake.

Depending on the layout of your house and garden, Anna will take a mixture of shots in different areas, perhaps making use of props, such as your children’s favourite toys etc, if she feels they will contribute to the look of the portraits.

To guard against anyone getting overtired or hungry, which will immediately show in the photographs, it is essential to take regular breaks for rest and refreshment; that way, the session won't end up being a rushed affair. Typically, you should allow at least 2 - 3 hours for your photo shoot, so that we can occasionally take time out from the actual photography to rest and recharge. Sessions combining home and location shots will take longer. If we are out on location, please remember to bring some food and drink along with you, and warm clothes if necessary.

Anna does not take a set number of photographs during each session, but will aim to capture a series of different looks in a variety of settings. The images are then edited and turned into a slide show which you, friends and relatives will be able to view online.

Illness

It is inevitable that children will have their “off days”. If your child has had a bad night or is feeling unwell, please let Anna know as soon as you can. It is far better to reschedule in such instances, since the photographs will reveal exactly how your child is feeling.

Bad Weather

Bright sunshine is not necessary for a successful portrait session; in fact, a slightly cloudy day is often ideal. Should the weather be very bad, however, with heavy rain or strong winds, then it will be best for us to reschedule the shoot, and Anna will contact you as soon as possible if this is necessary. It's therefore a good idea to have a couple of dates in mind when booking your portrait session.