YOUR SESSION GUIDE
A little preparation goes a long way — but perfection is never the goal.
Thank you so much for choosing Jessica Blair Photography to document your family.
If you’re wondering what to wear, what to bring, or how to prepare everyone for your session, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know so that when session day arrives, you can simply show up, love on your people, and let me take care of the rest.
My sessions are a mixture of gently guided portraits and natural, candid moments. We’ll get the photo of everyone looking at the camera, but some of my favorite images happen in between — the belly laughs, little hands reaching for yours, windblown hair, snuggles, movement, and all of the tiny moments that feel like your family..
PREPARING THE LITTLE ONES.
SMALL CHILDREN
Little ones are wonderfully unpredictable — and that’s part of what makes photographing them so much fun.
Before your session, try to make sure your child is well-rested and has had something to eat. Feel free to bring a few small, mess-free snacks or treats along, especially for younger children. Avoid anything that may stain their mouth, fingers, or clothing.
A favorite toy, stuffed animal, or something you know will get a guaranteed giggle can also be helpful. It doesn’t necessarily have to be photographed — sometimes it becomes my secret weapon behind the camera!
Most importantly, try not to worry about making your child behave perfectly.
If they need a break, we’ll take one. If they want to explore, we’ll explore. If they don’t want to sit still, we’ll find something else to do.
Try to avoid repeatedly telling little ones to smile or scolding them during the session. It can quickly turn something fun into something stressful. Instead, play with them, tickle them, chase them, snuggle them and let me worry about capturing the magic.
Sometimes the best photographs happen when absolutely no one is looking at the camera.
OLDER CHILDREN
Older kids and teens can sometimes feel a little awkward in front of the camera — which is completely normal.
Encourage them to wear something they genuinely feel comfortable and confident in, and let them have a little input when choosing their outfit.
Phones and other devices are best left in the car or tucked away somewhere safe so they aren’t distracting or visible in pockets.
During the session, don’t be afraid to joke around with them. Tease each other, tell inside jokes, give hugs, laugh and be yourselves.
We’ll capture a few traditional portraits, but I also want to photograph the relationships between you.
A FEW LITTLE DETAILS
Before leaving for your session, give everyone a quick once-over.
Check little faces and noses, fix flyaway hair, and make sure clothing is sitting where it should. Bringing a small pack of wipes, tissues and a hairbrush or comb is always a good idea.
Adults, remember to remove hair ties from wrists and empty bulky items from pockets — especially phones, wallets and keys.
These little details are much easier to fix before the photograph than afterward!
FOR THE GROWN-UPS
Getting an entire family dressed, ready and out the door for photos can feel like an event in itself.
Give yourself plenty of time so you aren’t rushing. On the drive over, turn on your favorite music, talk to the kids, laugh and try to make the experience feel exciting rather than stressful.
Once you arrive, you can hand the reins over to me.
You do not need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. I’ll guide you throughout the session and give you plenty of direction while also allowing room for genuine moments to happen naturally.
Your only job is to be present with the people you love.
WHAT TO WEAR
Coordinating > matching.
Choosing outfits is usually the part everyone worries about most, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Instead of putting everyone in the same color, choose a palette of 3–4 complementary colors and build everyone's outfits around them.
Soft neutrals mixed with one or two richer colors create beautiful depth without distracting from the people in the photograph.
START WITH ONE OUTFIT
If you're styling the whole family, start with the person whose outfit is hardest to choose — and that's often Mom.
Find something you love and feel beautiful in first, then build everyone else's outfits around it.
Another easy option is to begin with one patterned piece — such as a floral dress — and pull colors from that pattern for everyone else's clothing.
You can absolutely incorporate more than one subtle pattern, especially with larger families, but try to vary the scale and keep everything within the same overall color palette.
The goal isn't for everyone to match.
It should look like you all belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit.
ADD TEXTURE + MOVEMENT
Texture photographs beautifully and keeps neutral outfits from feeling flat.
Think linen, knits, corduroy, denim, lace, subtle embroidery, chunky sweaters and flowing fabrics.
Layers are also wonderful when the weather allows — cardigans, jackets, vests and scarves can add dimension and give us more variety throughout your gallery.
For women and girls, dresses and skirts with movement are especially beautiful outdoors. A long, flowing dress catching the breeze adds softness and movement that photographs beautifully.
DRESS IT UP
Your session is a wonderful excuse to wear something a little more special than you normally would.
You don't have to dress formally, but don't be afraid to elevate your everyday style.
Wear the dress.
Add the jewelry.
Do your hair.
Put on the boots you've been saving for somewhere special.
Above everything else, choose clothing that makes you feel like you — just a slightly dressed-up version.
When you feel comfortable and confident, it shows.
A FEW THINGS TO AVOID
Try to stay away from neon or extremely bright colors, as they can reflect onto the skin and create unwanted color casts.
Large logos, characters, words and bold graphics can also pull attention away from your family.
Avoid dressing everyone in identical outfits or the exact same color. Coordinating colors, textures and patterns create much more depth.
For outdoor sessions, also consider your surroundings. If we're photographing in a lush green field, for example, dressing everyone head-to-toe in green may cause you to blend into the scenery. A little green is perfectly fine — we just want enough contrast to make your family stand out.
And finally, make sure clothing fits right now. This is especially important for children's clothing. Buying a size up may make sense practically, but oversized clothing can bunch, sag and look distracting in photographs.
SHOES MATTER, TOO
Shoes are easy to forget when planning outfits, but they'll likely appear in your photographs.
Neutral boots, sandals, loafers and simple sneakers generally photograph beautifully depending on the season and location.
Try to avoid extremely bright athletic shoes or heavily branded footwear unless they're intentionally part of the look.
And because many of my sessions take place outdoors, keep the location in mind. You may be walking through grass, fields, gravel or uneven ground.
If you have your heart set on heels, bringing a comfortable pair of shoes for walking to the location is always a good idea.
WHAT TO BRING
You don't need to bring much, but a small bag with a few essentials can be helpful:
Wipes and tissues
A hairbrush or comb
Mess-free snacks for little ones
Water
A favorite small toy or comfort item
Comfortable walking shoes if needed
Any meaningful item you'd specifically like incorporated into your session
Try to leave anything you don't need in the car so we aren't carrying bags from spot to spot.
SHOP MY FAVORITES
Not sure where to start? These are a few of my favorite places to find photo-friendly pieces for the whole family.
Old Navy
An affordable one-stop shop with plenty of coordinating options for adults and children.
Amazon
Great when you need something quickly. There are endless options for children's outfits, dresses, accessories and basics.
Target
Affordable, accessible and especially great for simple neutrals, kids' clothing and layering pieces.
Walmart
Don't overlook Walmart! Their clothing collections have come a long way, and you can often find beautiful basics and seasonal pieces at a great price.
Baltic Born
One of my favorites for long, flowing dresses, especially for maternity and family sessions.
Rylee + Cru
Beautiful earthy colors, vintage-inspired prints and coordinating pieces for children and adults.
Free People
A little more of an investment, but one of my favorites for texture, movement and effortlessly beautiful dresses.
Joyfolie
Dreamy, romantic dresses for both women and little girls. A wonderful option if you love a whimsical, timeless look.
Indie Blue
Trendy, earthy pieces with beautiful options for moms and minis.
Bailey's Blossoms
Cute and affordable pieces for little girls and moms with plenty of current styles.
ONE LAST THING...
Please don't spend your session worrying about whether your children are smiling enough, whether everyone's hair is perfect, or whether you're doing the “right” thing.
Some of the photographs you end up loving most may be the ones you never planned.
So come ready to play, snuggle, laugh, move and love on your people.
I'll take care of the rest.
I can't wait to tell a little piece of your story.
— Blair
Jessica Blair Photography