Family
Style & Planning Guide
GETTING STARTED
I’m so excited for your portrait session! I’m honored to be your photographer and humbled that you’ve trusted me with the responsibility of helping you create memories you’ll look back on and cherish for a lifetime.
My goal is for your session to be as fun and stress-free as possible! That’s why I’ve created this guide just for you. It will help you get the absolute most out of your photos. By the time you’ve read through it, you'll have all of your questions answered and feel ready and prepared for your session!
This guide is packed with my best tips for scheduling and styling your portrait session. Your only job is to be yourself, love on your people, have fun and let ME do the rest! I can’t wait to get you in front of my camera and I’m so excited to see you soon!
SCHEDULING YOUR SESSION
I photograph portrait sessions the way I like to be photographed myself: outdoors, in natural light, because I love images that are clean, bright, fresh and timeless. That’s why I begin all of my sessions 1-2 hours before sunset –– during the magical “golden hour” –– when the light is the softest, dreamiest and most flattering.
As we choose your location and nail down your session timing, remember that the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in –– especially if you have small children with a specific eating or sleeping schedule, or if you (or your spouse) will need to leave work early to get ready for the session and arrive on time. Another factor to consider here in Colorado is proximity to the mountains - the closer we are to the mountains, the earlier we lose the sun!
By now your session is already on my calendar, but if you're wanting to do your session sooner than later, my weekdays are much more flexible. Feel free to ask about calendar openings!
PLANNING YOUR TIME
When you’re planning "getting ready" time before your session (scheduling your hair, makeup, etc.) please give yourself a lot more time than you think you'll need. Make sure to account for things like unruly children (ask me how I know!), traffic, getting lost, and parking, so you can prevent unnecessary stress, arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. I’m only able to shoot when light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down!
CHOOSING THE LOCATION
The location of your portrait session is completely up to you! Most of my clients love showcasing the natural beauty of Colorado. For most of my sessions, outdoor, open-air environments are my first choice. I love shooting in wide-open natural spaces because the light is divine, especially during golden hour. There are great options all around the area, so even if you've never seen me photograph in a specific place before, I’m always up for exploring a new spot together!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!
I encourage you to brainstorm unique places that you might have special access to that most people don’t. Maybe you have (or someone you know has) access to an amazing location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, family ranch, exclusive country club, or luxury resort. Check with people in your personal and professional network. You’ll be surprised with what you come up with! If something seems out of reach, remember: you never know until you ask!
If you need some location ideas and inspiration, I have plenty! Check out my Instagram (@lieslkirsten.photodoula), my blog (www.lieslkirsten.com/blog), or my location guide (www.lieslkirsten.com/locationguide)! If there’s a certain session you really love, just let me know which one and we can go to that location!
DESTINATION LOCATIONS/ADVENTURE SESSIONS
Your portrait session includes my travel time anywhere in the Colorado Springs area, to include Monument, Black Forest, Manitou Springs, and Falcon. If you’d like to go somewhere else in Colorado, I’m up for the adventure! If you’d like to shoot outside of the Colorado Springs area, please let me know and I’ll create a custom package for you.
If I’m already going to be in or near an area you’ve always dreamed of doing your photos, and we can coordinate our schedules, let’s set it up! I’d love to meet you somewhere beautiful and make it work! If you’d like me to meet you in a destination outside of Colorado for your portrait session where I don’t already have plans to visit, just let me know and I’ll send you a custom quote.
NUMBER OF OUTFITS
Changing outfits during a session always takes more time than my clients expect, so in order to give you the highest number of photos possible, I recommend no more than one outfit change. Your session time is yours to use as you wish, though, so if you'd like to do more, go for it!
CONSIDER BRINGING PROPS!
If you want your portrait session images to look a little more editorial, you could bring small, simple props with you, like fresh flowers to hold or a blanket to sit on. If you want to set up a picnic or incorporate another special element into your session, let me know! Maybe you have access to some larger props that have a real “wow” factor, like a boat, classic car, vintage bicycle or hot air balloon. Dream a little bit and decide what really feels like you! Props aren’t a must - some of my clients love them. Others stick with just their outfits –– and that’s great, too! The most important things you need to bring are love & laughter. I'll take care of the rest.
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH ACCESSORIES!
Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can help bring some extra dimension to your images. Whether it’s a necklace, belt, bracelet, earrings, hat, or scarf, bringing an accessory or two can bring great visual interest to your photos, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention when paired together. For example, if you go with bolder earnings, you might want to choose a more humble necklace, or maybe even no necklace at all. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really sweet touch as well!
GO PRO: HAIR & MAKEUP
Professional hair and makeup looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. You’ll have these photos forever, so this is the time to pamper yourself! If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light (if possible) so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera.
SKIP THE SPRAY TAN
I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session (even a few days prior) because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone will photograph most beautifully.
CHOOSING YOUR OUTFITS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
KNOW YOUR PHOTO LOCATION!
When you know the type of location your photos will take place (desert, beach, field, forest, city, etc.), then you can imagine the colors that are most likely to be surrounding your and family. If you’ll be in a lush, green field, you’ll want to avoid having everyone in shades of green. If you’ll be in a bright, golden desert you’ll want to avoid super-dark colors like black and navy. Too much of the same color, or too much contrast in colors, won’t bode well. My location guide has notes about the dominant colors of the location - avoid wearing these colors!
A note on many Colorado locations - it can often be VERY WINDY! You will want to take care especially when choosing hair styles to ensure that you won't have hair blowing across yours or family members' faces. Be sure to check the hourly forecast for wind conditions when choosing your hair style!
CHOOSE YOUR STYLE!
There’s no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your portrait session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun!
Dressy, formal, casual, bohemian, comfortable…the list goes on. When you envision your family photos, how do you want everyone to look? From three-piece suits and evening gowns to jeans with flannels, the possibilities are endless.
LADIES FIRST
Mom is usually the one putting all the outfits together and planning every last detail, and she’s also typically the hardest to shop for. So, Mama, I want you to put yourself first and decide what you want to wear before you finalize anyone else’s outfit. You deserve to look and feel amazing in your photos. If you don’t feel 100% in love and confident in your outfit choice, keep looking. I always suggest that my clients wear long, flowy dresses or skirts, as they tend to be the most flattering. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses or midi skirts photograph beautifully as well. My clients who choose to bring two dresses will sometimes choose one of each! I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress (or skirt!) or two! But - if jeans are your thing, go for it!
TIP: My client wardrobe is a wonderful FREE resource for you! Feel free to check it out and see if there are any pieces for you or your family that inspire you. You may borrow any items from my client closet for your session at no additional charge - I’ll even wash them for you after!
We all have areas of our bodies that we’re self-conscious about. Keep those areas in mind when putting your outfit together. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos. Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms. If your dress has shorter sleeves (or no sleeves) consider bringing a cute jacket, blazer, or cardigan to incorporate into your look. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera. For most women, skinny straps actually make arms look BIGGER. So I recommend avoiding those if your goal is slimmer-looking arms.
If it’s colder outside, I suggest bringing a warm coat (the longer, the better!) to wear when we’re not shooting so you don’t freeze in your dress.
For shoes, keep in mind that heels elongate women’s legs and force constant tension in the calves –– which makes them look more toned. Closed-toed heels, in particular, look great on camera. You can never go wrong with a pair of neutral pumps! If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session. If your shoes don’t show at all in the dress you’ve selected, you could always choose neutral ballet flats to make your session more comfortable. Lastly, make sure to bring a pair of shoes/flats/flip flops to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you later!
CHOOSE YOUR COLOR PALETTE
I recommend choosing Mom’s outfit first, and building off of that! Maybe you find a dress you love that doesn’t go with your original color palette…so scrap that one and make a new one!
When you’re building your color palette, you may already have an idea in your head and just need to put it all together. Or you may have no idea where to start! Once Mom picks her dress, think about complementary colors. I like to choose 2-3 base colors that go well together–like sage green, ivory, and khaki, or soft pink, cream, and light gray, for example. Neutrals like black, navy, gray, and white (avoid stark white if you can though!) can always be incorporated into your color palette as accent colors.
DRESS THE YOUNG GIRLS
Girls are typically harder to dress than boys because there are more options…dress, skirt with a top, jumpsuit, etc. Choose the little ladies’ outfits before you pick the clothing for the guys.
DRESSING THE MEN
The same way that a dress is the most flattering silhouette for the female body, a blazer, sport coat or jacket has the same flattering effect for men. You can’t go wrong with a dress shirt, slacks and a blazer.
I’d recommend steering clear of t-shirts or polos, and instead opting for a long-sleeve button-down. Another benefit to long sleeves is you can roll the sleeves up for a slightly more casual look, which gives you two looks with one shirt.
For colors, I recommend neutrals (whites, grays, beiges) and soft pastels. When selecting your pieces, I recommend choosing a different “weight” for the pants and coat. So for example, navy pants (darker) and a heather gray blazer (lighter). Or gray pants (darker) with a soft powder blue shirt (lighter).
For men, it’s important to have a jacket that fits snugly (but not too tight), and pants that are the correct length and don’t have too many breaks. Bunched up fabric stacked on top of a man’s shoes makes him look physically shorter than he really is.
Solid colors will help keep the attention where it belongs, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye, so stay away from too strong of prints, avoid logos, and opt for solids instead.
LAYERED LOOKS
Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you a lifetime. Adding extra layers will bring additional dimension and visual interest to your photos. If the temperature permits, you could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath, or bringing a leather or denim jacket with you. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Long pants with closed-toed shoes is the most sophisticated and masculine look for a man. They draw attention away from your legs and feet, and place it where you want it: on your face! So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts and sandals at home. Dress pants, colored pants or nice dark-washed jeans work best. Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look, whether you’re wearing slacks, colored pants or dark-washed jeans. As opposed to athletic shoes, dress shoes help elevate your photos and will give them a more editorial look.
PREPPING YOUR LITTLE ONES
Setting expectations before your session is the key to great photos and happy kids.
Before your session, pack a bag with water and your kids’ favorite snacks - I recommend avoiding chocolate or anything messy. Fruit snacks or animal crackers are great! If they’re too young to follow directions, bring any objects that you think might help me get their attention (like small toys or stuffed animals) when it’s time for them to look at the camera.
If your little ones are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. A lot of families pick something fun to do as a treat after the session if their kiddos are good listeners, like dinner at their favorite pizza place or an ice cream cone!
It also helps if your kids' bellies are full and they’ve had some good rest before the session. If you need to adjust nap times to accommodate your session, remember to adjust bedtime the night before, if necessary, and ensure they get a good night’s sleep!
I highly recommend avoiding screen time (TV, tablets, phones) within a few hours of your session, if not the entire day. After you do your best to prepare them, give yourself (and them) some grace! I have a lot of experience working with kids, so if they’re “in a mood” or aren’t cooperating perfectly for some reason, rest assured that I’m not judging you (or them). I’ve seen it all and know how to get great photos no matter what! My goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you and your family! This season of life feels long right now, but in the grand scheme of things, it's short. So even if things don't go exactly as planned or as you'd hoped in terms of your kids’ behavior, one day, you’ll be so glad you took these photos.
ONE FINAL NOTE & NEXT STEPS
I know I just gave you A LOT to think about! Don’t panic :) Just take it one step at a time. I provided a Portrait Session Checklist for you (below) to help you stay organized and on top of things! But if you have any questions at any point, please know I’m here for you! If you’re deciding between two dresses and can’t commit, no problem! I’m here. If you love two locations but can’t make up your mind, no worries! I can help with that, too. If you need a recommendation of any kind, I’m on it!
At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you wear won’t matter nearly as much as the fun we have together and the memories you make. The style choices you make will definitely enhance your photos, but the most important accessory to bring with you is joy –– which is the one thing that makes the biggest difference in your photos anyways. You don’t need to have prior experience in front of the camera. Just show up with a smile and I’ll take care of the rest :)
I’m so excited! See you soon!
-Liesl <3
Session Checklist
- Schedule hair and makeup appointments
- Review this Style Guide for outfit inspiration
- Choose your outfits (dry clean if needed!)
- Get your nails done
- Pack a bag with: Flats or flip-flops for walking, Outfit two (w/shoes & accessories), Touch-up makeup, Props, Water, Coat or cover-up, Snacks, & Small eye-catching toys for littles
- 7. Prep the kids
- 8. Reach out any time with questions!