With spring family sessions arriving soon, we thought it would be appropriate to share with you some ways to prepare for your family session.

1. Location
After booking your session, it’s important to spend time talking with your photographer about the “look” or “feel” you want for your session. Think about where the pictures will be displayed.

2. Clothing
Once you determine a “look,” talk through the clothing for each member of your family, but be mindful of your color choices. I learned the hard way many years ago when I wanted to display my family photos in a rust colored room when my daughter was wearing a fuschia coat. Oh no! Although the location matched the room where they would be displayed, the colors did not!

3. Beware
Never worry about cuts, scratches, or blemishes; a photographer’s post-processing can take care of these problems with ease. On the other hand, be mindful of sunburns, clothes that need ironed, half-polished nails, and dirty noses!

4. Relax
Don’t be stressed and try not to get frustrated with your kids. We need happy families to take happy pictures! Family photographers know what to do with kids that don’t always cooperate. Let us use our bag of tricks and our experience!

5. Have fun!
Love on your kids as if the camera isn’t there!

When I saw the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge this week, I perused my pictures from the past year. LOVE. That’s a big challenge. I have the privilege of capturing many kinds of love, but capturing this– the overwhelming, awe-filled love of a newborn baby– was a new experience for me:

I met with this adorable family during my Fall Family Day in Columbus in October. They requested that I keep their gallery a secret since they were using their photos as Christmas presents. It’s January. I’m sitting at my computer, shivering and drinking tea. I could use a little sunshine in my life today. I think these pictures are a good substitute!

Soon to be four!!

Baby Rhett was born five days after these photos were taken– all 9 lbs, 8 oz. of him!

If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know that I love my job. I love it for many reasons, but one of my favorite parts is reconnecting with people. I can’t think of too many professions that allow one to hang out with old friends’ families. On a recent trip to Columbus, Ohio, I got to spend time with Jamie and his family. Jamie and I attended a small Christian school through 8th grade. Let me give you a visual. This is me in 8th grade; Jamie is standing behind me. Yep. That’s three boys and me in my eighth grade class And yes, we were all very attractive, don’t you think?!

We will refrain from commenting on my mullet… or where Jamie thought his natural waist should be… or our friend’s Don Johnson jacket. It was 1988. Cut us some slack!

Regardless, it was so fun to see Jamie again and meet his beautiful wife and kids. I. Love. My. Job.

Here’s the Yagodich family. Authentically captured.