Welcome!
What an honor to document where this beautiful gift of life has brought you – right now. The present. Fullness and chaos all equally a part of the journey, yet embracing the moments that pass us by, not because children grow up too quickly or so that we can look back on the good ‘ol days with more fondness than today, but so we can remember that joy comes in the moment, when you stop long enough to focus on who is in front of you. Those moments that are captured with the lens should have never been intended to let us experience that which we don’t first find in our homes. Photography should be the means by which we capture the overflow of a life lived in engaging the eyes, in warm embraces, and in undistracted attention.
You’ve booked a session. Yay! Now what?
Via e-mail we will discuss location selection, wardrobe selection, and answer any questions you have.
My approach towards photography is to capture the personality of your family, and so we will aim to reflect the beauty and uniqueness of your tribe, from location to wardrobe, and create heirloom worthy art using both natural light and poses. Our time will not be spent trying desperately to get a posed shot of everyone staring at the camera. Instead, my intent will be to capture honest smiles and intimate moments.
Take a look at the info below; just a few things to help your family best get ready for our time together. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email. Here’s to celebrating the journey!
Your Custom Family Portrait Session
Location: Let’s decide on the best location for your photos. You should choose a location that fits the style and personality of your family. Your home is intimate and familiar, so as long as your nook is amply lit, that is most certainly an option. Otherwise, there are several beautiful outdoor locations that can serve well to draw out your family dynamic. I would love to help you with this decision.
Time of Day: Natural light truly is what makes (or breaks!) a photograph, and so the time of your session will be based around the most gorgeous lighting setting. If we are shooting in your home, homes are best lit around late morning. Outdoor sessions are most ideal one to two hours before sunset. There is actually a name for this time of day – the golden hour! – and for good reason. Perhaps consider a late nap for young children or have some down time before an evening session. Otherwise we can certainly look at a morning shoot.
Length of Session: Your session will run anywhere from 60-75 minutes, so long as I do not get carried away! (Which I must admit happens rather regularly)
What To Wear: I could throw out a few words that might prove helpful. Dress naturally. Coordinate. Layer. Pinterest. Although if you are a visual person like myself, and really aren’t we all when it comes to our wardrobe, words can only serve so well. Instead, I took a nod from the world of interior design. Head on over to my blog post, How to Naturally Dress Your Family for a Session, before you buy that dress that ranks close to bridesmaids dresses and is never seen again!
In the meantime, here are some helpful tidbits:
1. Be you. My love for lifestyle photography emulates from a love for who you are every day, not just your “best days.” By all means, treat yourself to a manicure, buy a few new outfits, and get ready with enough time to do your hair. Actually I would recommend all of these things! Simply let the lens through which you see each moment of preparation, wardrobe included, be an expression of who you and your family are. Not merely an image of what you hope to project.
2. Compliment, don’t coordinate. What you may be tempted to do is pick one color and then dress everyone in various shades of blue or burgundy or whatever the one color was. You will certainly be coordinated, but may find yourself unintentionally sporting the 90s look of matching white polos or all denim jackets. Oh my. Instead, allow for varied patterns and colors to compliment one another. This is where my blog on color palettes will come in really handy!
3. Stay away from graphics and florescent colors. You do not want your photographs to become marketing material for GAP or The Rolling Stones. Even if the logo is obscure, clothing should not detract from you and your family. On that same note, florescent colors will color cast onto you or your child’s face. In other words, if your son wears a bright orange shirt, then an orange tint will be projected onto his face. If bright colors emulate your family’s style, consider punches of color throughout your wardrobe instead, such as in accessories or a vibrantly colored shirt that is layered with a neutral colored sweater.
4. Mom. Need I say more! Love the outfit that you select for yourself first, and plan your family’s wardrobe around a color palette that you love. Moms often times are the last seated at the table, the last to take a shower, the last out the door. The servanthood required of motherhood is rather beautiful, but in the case of family photographs, think of it like an inflight oxygen mask. “Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.”
5. Consider layers. Not only do layers make for visual interest, a rather essential piece for the artistic element of photography, but they actually make it much easier to compliment one another. Even in warm weather sessions, layers can present themselves in the simplest of ways. Boot warmers peaking up over a pair of boots, lace extenders flowing out of a summery dress, a bonnet for your little one, even suspenders. In cooler weather, perhaps opt for a cardigan over a solid sweater, but if there is that sweater that you just love, focus on your accessories instead and let the layers come through in your children’s outfits.
6. Don’t forget the shoes! Neutral, subtle shoes are often your best bet, particularly over a pair of white sneakers. If your clothing is layered and perfectly complimenting of one another but your shoes do not follow any of the same guidelines, they will be what your eye is drawn to in your images. Of course you can also use shoes as that punch of color, so long as it makes sense with the rest of your wardrobe collection. A decidedly earthy color palette, for instance, will not due to have a pair of hot pink rain boots, no matter how adorable they seem on their own. Shoes should be considered on par with your color palette of choice.
8. Accessorize. Particularly in a warmer weather session, accessories become akin to that level of layering which is naturally easier to implement in the fall. Headbands, necklaces, watches, should all work to compliment your color palette and overall style. Not only do you want to take note of incorporating accessories, but intentionally determine what accessories you do not want to find their way in your photographs. Those accessories that are worn regularly that go unnoticed in the everyday, but our eyes are unwontedly drawn to in your images, such as an Apple watch, a logo laden wristband, or a Fitbit.
Props: Although there are some fun photographs out there with props, I choose not to use them during my sessions. Please let me know, however, if you have a prop idea that you would like to share and feel adamant about.
Your Children: Being a mama of two, I am right there with you in the innate urge to cringe just a little at the thought of your family photographs being sabotaged by your little one. So let me relieve you right away with the reassurance that no such fear is needed! Remember, my intent is to capture authentic, personality inspired moments that rely little on a child’s ability to stay still and smile for the camera. Although there are a few things you can do to help prepare your child(ren) for our time together.
- I am a firm believer in pre-setting young children on a consistent base, and a photography session is no different. Even a few days up to the session, tell them a friend will be coming to take pictures of the whole family. Let them know that we will be going to a beautiful park or on a walk through the woods where we will play, and our friend will help us stand and sit in certain ways. Tell them how neat it will be to be able to look at the photographs together, and how glad you are that this is something you get to do as a family.
- Rewards can be a beautiful incentive for children (and husbands!). Perhaps plan on going out for shakes after your session, or having a family movie night in to commemorate the occasion. My humble encouragement would be to let the reward be reaped regardless as a way to help your family look forward to your time together, rather than using your family time together as a bribe. Bribes can potentially discourage your child’s natural self from coming through as they will focus on the bribe rather than on simply enjoying the fact that they are with you. I truly desire for your session, apart from the photographs themselves, to be a beautiful time for you to soak in the gift that is your family.
- Hangry. Pretty sure that’s a real thing! Make sure that your little one has rested and had a satisfying amount of snacks and water. (Which will most likely mean arriving early to your session so that you can assure a potty stop before we begin!) We can most certainly break for snacks and water, but simply make sure the snacks are dry and non messy for the sake of little faces and unexpected spills.
- Make sure your photo session is the main event of the day. A late nap could work well for later evening sessions, but even that might not be enough if the day was full of running from one thing to the next and your child is just straight up exhausted. Yourself included! Relax. Let this day be about your family.
Please arrive on time or be ready to start on time: Remember, your session is scheduled according to light. It is important that we start on time. Please plan for traffic or parking constraints. It’s best to arrive early.
This will be fun! Ask me anything that comes to mind and see you at our session!
Your Custom Newborn Portrait Session
Oh my, this is so exciting. My heart tends to leap at the expectation of a little one. Newborns can awaken such wonder and stillness, even amidst exhaustion and self-doubt. Such differing emotions truly make one feel overwhelmingly alive and in awe of life itself.
Day of the Session: Your newborn session will be in your own home, ideally late morning. Upon my arrival, I will want to walk around your home and discover the places that lend the best natural light. My favorite rooms tend to be the master bedroom, a living area couch, and the nursery. Please don’t feel like you need to clean up before my arrival! Remember, I have two young girls – I totally get it! I can easily clean up an area that needs it as we go.
Length of Session: With a newborn session being baby led, they are a bit longer at anywhere from 2 to 2.5 hours. I will gladly account for feeding breaks and diaper changes, so please know that we are in no rush.
Your Baby: The memories you will have of your newborn after this fleeting first few months will be the same memories I hope to capture in our time together. Not baskets or unnatural poses, but in your arms – fingers and toes practicing being stretched and curled, feet tucked, lips pursed. Beautiful little natural postures that make your newborn perfect.
So let’s begin with a simple, neutral onesie. No graphics or words, please. A few favorite swaddle blankets – nothing too thick – would be great to have on hand. We will likely move from the onesie to near nude to a swaddle, but be gracious with your little one! If he or she is not feeling a near nude moment, that is okay! Your baby will guide our time together and in the end we will have a perfect collection of what these first few days with your sweet newborn was truly like.
I would encourage you to feed your baby about 15 minutes prior to your session time. (Remember, I will need to scout out the best natural light for your photographs, so you will have a few minutes to continue feeding once I arrive.) And feeding breaks are okay! Newborn sessions take time.
Siblings: Pre-setting is the best way to prepare siblings for the occasion. Let them know a friend is coming over to say hello and take some photos of the family. Having a newborn in the house is certainly an adjustment, and each child will respond in their own way, but I can assure you bribes are not necessary. We will only take the photographs they are comfortable with. Remember, we are not aiming to get stiff, posed shots. I will most likely take the family and sibling photographs right at the beginning so as to work within the time where they are most interested in my being there.
I touch a bit more on children in the family session guide above.
Mom & Dad: Be yourself. Just as your newborn is perfect, so you too are perfectly exhausted and potentially overwhelmed, but those are strangely enough the very emotions that lead parenthood to being so joyous. Relish in the challenge, because surely amidst all of it there is a deep love that you are discovering and reveling in as you hold your little one.
What to Wear: Although your wardrobe may absolutely fall in line with what you might wear to a family session, (scroll up to Family Session notes!), there are a few things that I would make note of:
- Consider softer, more neutral colors over vibrant tones. We chat above in the family session guide about color casting and ways to incorporate punches of color instead. While this may still be feasible for newborn sessions, color casting is all the more something to be wary of in a newborn session. Your newborn will be snuggled right up against you, and so that bright pink shirt, even if layered in, will give your newborn a pinkish hue. And not in a rosy cheeks sort of way!
- Neutral is not White. At least not necessarily. If you would like to go with a creamy color palette, still find ways to work in various textures and more than just one or two colors. Although neutral does not need to be considered merely white, cream, or light grey. If you find your eye drawn to the more moody, dramatic photographs of mine, consider wearing darker or earthier colors, such as deep grays, earthy coppers, or emerald greens.
- Consider a plan B to Patterns. If your husband was planning a plaid shirt, for instance, I would encourage you select a solid colored shirt as an alternative option. Once your little one is born, have your husband wear that shirt and hold your baby. You may love it, in which case go for it! Although you may also find the strong pattern behind your child detracting from where we want the gaze to be. Remember, in a newborn session intimate shots are all the more prevalent!
- Comfort takes precedence. Consider the fact that we will be in your home, snuggled on your bed, or even seated on the nursery floor. That knee length corduroy skirt may prove more a hassle than anything. Let your wardrobe, and these days of sleepless nights and baggy sweatpants, not feel too stark a contrast to what it means to be home.
- Accessories. You may scroll up once more to my family session guide to read notes on accessories, but to take it a step further, I would keep anything on your wrists rather minimal. Not only might bulky bracelets or watches make your newborn uncomfortable, but they will be in several of your photographs, as I love those intimate shots of your little one in your arms.
- A note to Mamas. Embrace your body. You just brought life into this world! That is no small feat, and your body is a celebration of that gift. Be kind to yourself by not expecting too much of your physique. Plan on a loose fitting top. Jersey cotton may be your best friend whether as a dress or as a long tee, adding to the casual comfort of these newborn days. Or perhaps a long neutral colored cardigan. Stay away from stripes or overt patterns, particularly because we want the focus to be on your little one, who will be in your arms for much of your session.
Your Home: Are you a little anxious about having to clean your entire home before session day? Don’t be! *breathe a sigh of relief* Okay well maybe a little cleaning will help, but remember, I will only be photographing portions of your home, which means we can just move things out of the way. Actually, we want to see a bit of that good, lived in clutter that makes a home a home. Books on the nightstand, a pair of shoes at the entryway, all remind you that this is the place you are most relaxed. What we want to clean up before session time would be laundry sprawled out on the bed and a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Now granted, with a newborn, even that feels like a feat! Thankfully laundry can always be moved out of the frame, and the kitchen doesn’t have to be a place where we take photographs, but simple clean up will help make our session time for efficient and overall more relaxing. Although on the whole, your home by no means needs a deep clean, and if you needed the reminder, your bathroom toilets will not show up in a photograph! You can breathe a bit deeper now.
Congratulations on the anticipation of your little one! Please ask me anything that comes to mind.
Your Custom Expecting Portrait Session
Pregnancy is one of those things that you really can’t fully understand until you are in it, experiencing a little life being created inside of you. Even then, pregnancy is a bit of a mystery, no matter our ultrasound advancements and genetic testing, this formation of life is untouchable. And seeing yourself in this way serves as a reminder that life begets life, and you have deep, inherent value.
Maternity vs. Announcement Sessions:
My hope it to capture the authentic joy that comes from the seed of creation. Maternity sessions, best scheduled between weeks 32-34 (around 8 months), focus on posing you in a natural way that illuminates your motherhood, whether you are a mama for the first time or fourth. Announcement sessions, typically scheduled towards the end of your first trimester or beginning of your second, are intended to creatively display this so-far-secret-news, while still capturing the expressions that encompass such a beautiful piece of you and your family’s story.
Location: Let’s select the best location for your session via email. Whether an outdoor location or the intimacy of your own home, it is up to you!
Time of Day: You are radiant. Let’s let the sunshine match your natural glow. Ideally we will want to anticipate one to two hours before sunset for outdoor settings. You are welcome to have your session in the comfort and intimacy of your own home as well.
Length of Session: Similar to a family portrait session, your session will run anywhere from 60-90 minutes.
Who is included in the session?: Your maternity session will feature you, but your spouse and any other children will be a part of the session as well. Take a look at a few of the notes on children above. Announcement sessions may focus less intimately on the expectant mama and more on the family as a whole, often times utilizing whatever props the family has chosen that will allude to this little one’s anticipated arrival.
Wardrobe: Mama’s always want to feel beautiful, but there is something particularly sacred feeling when you are displaying that lovely life not yet introduced to the world. Long dresses tend to the most comfortable, and just plain dreamy, but wear whatever you feel most comfortable in! You may find that tending towards solids (textures welcome!) will not distract as colored patterns might. Since other family members will be in your session as well, take a look at the wardrobe notes above for some helpful tips. And there is always Pinterest for inspiration!
Enjoy this beautiful time of preparation and anticipation. Send any questions you have my way in the meantime!
Your Custom à la carte Session
There are those moments in life that we regard as milestones, from a child taking her first step, to a proud walk out of the DMV with his license in hand. Our minds incredible capacity to remember those sweet moments that make you proud, while leaving you holding on tenaciously to the moment in front of you, mean that photographs are being taken and stored regularly for you to sift through and muse upon without the use of a camera. Yet there are some moments, although no more significant than their seemingly small companions, where a photograph brings with it the capacity to tell one’s story by the occasion it commemorates. The moments that signify growth and new horizons. The moments that mark your journey towards tomorrow, but celebrate that which is today. These are à la carte sessions.
Most common are One Year Cake Smash Sessions and Senior Sessions, but à la carte sessions have the luxury of being whatever you deem to be a moment best told in pictures. Simply reach out to me via the contact page with your inquiry and I will gladly begin the conversation with you as to how your à la carte session might look.
Meanwhile, here are some helpful guidelines for those two most common requests:
*refer to the family portrait session details above regarding location, time of day, and wardrobe
Senior Sessions
Senior Style: My lifestyle approach to photography will remain intact for your senior session as well, which means a focus on drawing out your natural self. Although I will give more attention to poses that bring the eyes directly to the camera, you will find a collection of photographs in your gallery that engage away from the camera gazes, unique angles, and authentic smiles.
Day of the Session: Senior sessions run 60 minutes and include one outfit change.
Who Should I Have With Me?: I would love to see your parents at our session. They are proud of you, and our session is a chance for you to celebrate one another before you take that walk. You might even consider ensuring that the siblings are with friends so that you can embrace each other’s company, perhaps even looking forward to a shared meal together after your session time.
Mom and Dad, extend incredible amounts of graciousness and patience on session day. We want to see your child’s most natural self come out in his/her photographs, and arriving to the session with unresolved conflict or tension will only diminish your investment. I also love to get a photograph with mom and dad in there, so if you choose, come camera ready!
Let’s Talk About Your Face:
Ladies, apply your makeup normally. No need to go theatrical in your application, as we want your beautiful, natural self to come through. Remember, these photographs will become a treasured glimpse of senior year, and if you don’t wear heavy makeup in general, it won’t make sense to look back and see yourself that way!
Another note on makeup, be sure to bring along some powder or concealer. In case of an accidental smudge, or if it’s a chilly day and your nose gets red, we’ll want to be ready for a quick touch up.
Gentlemen, unless you intentionally want the bearded look, a fresh shave is the way to go. Otherwise that stubble might present itself as unwanted flecks.
Don’t panic if you see a pimple! Any temporary markings, like a blemish or a scratch, can be touched up in editing. Simply let me know the day of your session if there is a blemish or two you don’t want showing.
Glasses are lovely, especially if they are a part of your look, but unfortunately they can create a pretty notable camera glare, sadly hiding your eyes. The solution? Simply buy or borrow frames without lenses to pose with, or ask your optician to remove the lenses from your frames for the photo session. This should come at no expense to you, but of course check with your optician in advance.
Okay, not your face, but watch those hands! No need to go out and get a manicure (unless you’d like to of course) but simply be sure that you’ve clipped or filed your nails and removed any dirt. Ladies, consider a fresh coat of nail polish if you are wearing any.
Let’s do this. Senior year never looked so good.
One Year Cake Smash Sessions
Day of the Session: Cake Smash Sessions are petite sessions, and therefore last only about 20 minutes, because you know that beautiful cake won’t last long! In line with my love for lifestyle photography, no props or outdoor stage will be set. Simply the beauty of outdoor elements, or otherwise an indoor location that we will discuss via email, and that stunning natural light.
We will focus on portraits of your little one without sugar in hand for the first few moments of our time together. From there we will move onto the cake smash (and thereby marvelously messy!) part of our session.
Time of Day: Cake smash sessions are held at golden hour, which is within that hour before sunset. Your final session time will be confirmed with me via email. Please consider a late nap earlier in the day in the case that our session time runs beyond your child’s normal bedtime.
Your Little One: Uniquely made and beautiful in every way. Some little ones can walk at one while others are still rocking the crawl, and my intent will be to both celebrate and capture who they are in this moment. That might mean he does not sit perfectly still for those initial photographs, or she may not be interested in diving into dessert hands first. That’s okay! Actually it’s perfect- and I can assure you I will still be able to capture beautiful photographs that embrace your child’s personality.
The Cake: When working with your baker, ensure the size of your cake to be at most 6 inches in diameter for the bottom layer. While a bigger cake will work, the size may dwarf your child and create photographs that seem to focus more on the cake itself than your child.
Circular cakes are most ideal, unless you have a square cake platter that you intend to you use. I will have cake stand options for you, but certainly bring any you have in mind. In the case that we need to transfer your cake to one of my cake stands, or a stand that you brought separately, be sure to have your cake on heavy cardboard that extends only minimally beyond the bottom layer of your cake. A baker will provide this, but if baking on your own, a circular piece of cardboard wrapped neatly in aluminum foil will work perfectly.
A slightly drier cake means there will be more crumbs coming into focus. Consider color as well. Soft and neutral colored icing lends well to outdoor surroundings, and stands well on its own. Remember, we will not be surrounding your child with props or focusing on a theme, so I would suggest that you don’t plan on an overly thematic cake.
Most importantly, a vanilla cake only please. Chocolate does not photograph nearly as well, and your child may look to be covered in dirt rather than cake. I would also suggest you avoid fondant, which is not nearly as pleasant to eat as a nice buttercream or ermine icing. You may even want to consider an icing-less cake for a daintier, less mess moment. A topper of flowers or fruit will add simple elegance.
Yes, you may make your own cake! While Pinterest is a great place for inspiration, tend towards simple creations so as not to overwhelm your abilities. The cake is of course a focus of your session, but your child is the centerpiece!
Props: What I love about lifestyle photography is the intentional focus brought to the individuals themselves rather than any props, which might otherwise distract. If you are set on using props, we will reserve those for the cake smash portion of our session time. Please discuss any props with me via email prior to your session date.
Bath Time: Putting your child in their carseat right after being elbow deep in cake may not be something you consider until it happens, so be sure to arrive on location with wipes, a washcloth or two, a small towel, an outfit change, and a bag for the cake covered clothing. Whether a public restroom or the back of your vehicle (we’ve all been there!), you will want to plan on some form of a sponge bath before heading home.
In the case that your session location is your own home, recruit help to draw a warm bath and anticipate a good hour of cake clean up to restore your floors back to their normal sheen. As a matter of fact, you may want to order an extra cupcake to reward yourself.
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CONFIRMING YOUR SESSION
Please note that your session is not confirmed until your session deposit has been paid and your delivered contract with Jennifer Lucrezio Photography signed. Once completed, your session is officially on the books! I will be in touch with you the week of your session with a simple session form that will help me best anticipate our time together. See you on session day!