welcome to your family session!
I’m so very happy you’re here.
Thank you so much for trusting me with your family photography. I find great meaning in the work I get to do — it just fills me up to get to honor families with images showing their love.
This welcome guide is here to help you get ready for our time together and to reassure you that I aim for a fun, easy, and authentic experience! My job as your photographer is 1 part technical and 17 parts being present to create images that reflect your beautiful now. Here are some details about how we’ll make it happen…
So, how’s the session going to go?
No matter where your session takes place, I aim to honor what is true to your family so that your images will authentically show the joy and connection within your family. I envision images of your child with a huge grin as you tickle him, your partner grabbing your hand, your baby gazing at you knowing how protected she is, and images of you looooooving your beautiful bunch, and them giving it right back to you.
When we first meet up, I’ll get to know you all and the kids. If it’s at your home, I’ll get a quick tour (love when kids give me a tour!), then I’ll share a game plan of the spots where we’ll photograph. I always come with a plan and aim to start with everyone together. I’ll take one or two “everyone smile” photo then we’ll ease into the session. Honestly, every family is so different that the session will take course in its own way. This is my favorite part about this gig…how it all unfolds. I have a ton of tricks up my sleeve that I might pull from to guide you all… “sit here and look at the stinkiest person” “snuggle your mama and she’ll sing you your favorite song” “hold your wife tight and tell her what makes you proud” “RUN right past me!” etc.
Your Amazing Kids
Rest assured, your children are free to be themselves as I want to capture their authentic personalities. Some of my favorite pictures are of kids running around or when they need a hug from a parent. I want to photograph them being who they are, and they are perfect just the way they are. If they don't follow my requests, it's okay, we'll roll with it! I don’t want you to get upset with them as they may be uncomfortable and I respect this. Also, please don’t tell them to say cheese.
Before our session, tell your children that your friend/photographer Anela will be meeting up with you all to take pictures so they are not surprised. Please do your best to have your children rested and fed. If it's a cooler day, be sure to keep them warm and cozy before we start so that they'll stay comfortable longer.
Sometimes, especially when I take individual portraits, I'll ask them questions to have them engage with me and my camera, please try your best to let them answer. This isn't always easy, so brief any other adults around on this please.
WARDROBE
Wear what makes you happy! I love when there are lots of colors but please avoid neon colors or logos. Also, if anyone in your family wears glasses and has ones that are not transition lenses, that’d be better. Wear layers if it’s chilly out so you’re comfortable. At home, I love relaxed, comfy clothes and bare feet or fun socks! Outside, flowy is fun, but no matter what, comfort is key! I promise, even if your 4 year old is hyper focused on wearing his new zombie shirt (true story), it’ll be fine!
Maternity: Long dresses tend to be comfortable and really pretty, but please wear what is comfortable and true to you.
Newborn: I love a baby in a classic white onesie. I often photograph newborns in just diapers and will use blankets you have on hand for him/her. If you are a nursing mom, wear something that will make it comfortable to nurse during our session if baby needs it.
LOCATION
Outdoor: Meeting at an outdoor location is a great way to honor a place that is special to your family. I have a few Seattle spots I can recommend where I know the light and scenery, but am open to adventures such as a ferry ride, meeting downtown by the ferris wheel, or even going on a city art walk. It’s important to me that the location is important to your family’s story. Wherever we are, I’ll choose spots based on light and what will make beautiful images. Please be conscientious of the temperature as cold kids have a pretty hard time looking happy if they’re uncomfortable, jackets and staying in the warm car until we start helps a ton!
In Home: Doing a family session in your own home is a great way to tell the story of your home in this season of your life. You don’t have to do much to prepare and the kids and pets will be comfortable…and have access to easy snacks and fairy wings as needed. I ask that you open all your curtains/blinds, make the bed (even though we might unmake it), maybe clear off the side tables, and we’ll turn off all the lights. I’ll do a quick tour of your home when I arrive to find the best light. We usually pop outside or go to a local park/cafe too.
TIMING
There are two main considerations to our timing: LIGHT and happy kids/babies.
Light is KEY to good photos. I do my sessions in the morning or evening when the sun is low and shiny. When your session is closer, we’ll chose the morning or afternoon time based on the sun.
For sessions with a newborn, I like to photograph around 10AM as the window light will be great at that time and your baby (and any other kids) will likely still be fresh from what was hopefully a decent night of sleep.
What’s Next?
Make sure you have the timing and location saved on your calendar/brain/ however you remember to do things!
Prep the kids and the clothes for all however that looks in our family.
Pay for the remaining fee.
Get ready to play, relax and have a sweet time together honoring your beautiful now!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at hello@aneladeisler.com or text/call me at 253.335.6986.
