How to Prepare for a Holiday Mini

Photoshoots help preserve family memories and capture a moment in time. When you book a holiday mini, either in the studio or on location, you need to prepare to make this session a success, so let me give you my favorite tips and tricks for making this session your best ever!!

These are my favorite tips for wardrobe planning and day of coordination:

• Accessories- Now is the time to wear the sparkle. Statement necklaces, sparkly earrings and warm cozy scarves. Holiday sessions are a time to show off your style. But please keep in mind that we will be moving so avoid anything that might need to be adjusted constantly.
• Compliment your figure–don’t wear clothes that are too tight or loose, or clothes that may draw attention to your insecurities. If you're wearing layers, make sure you're happy with how your figure looks beforehand. Wear something you feel confident in. Tight short dresses do limit poses.
• Wrinkle Free & Try it on- Please make sure your clothes are wrinkle free and stain free. Please have everyone try on their clothes and walk around in them to make sure you will not have any wardrobe malfunctions. 
• Shoes & Boots- Don't forget shoes! Footwear really pulls together an outfit so whether it's cute boots or sparkly shoes, coordinating footwear for your outfit is super important. If it's a fancy shoe that the kids won't wear, bring a change of footwear to get to where the shoot is happening and then change right before the photoshoot begins. I have a 100% success rate of bribing a child into wearing their shoes.
•  Hair & Grooming- Outdoor shoots can mean wind. Be prepared for the imperfection of being outdoors and being exposed to the elements. A breeze going through your hair looks gorgeous but you have to expect it's hard to be perfect when you're taking photos outside.
• If the session is in my studio, there will be no wind so style away! Feel free to bring your comb and touch up as needed throughout the session.
• Men, please shave the morning of your session and haircuts are best the week or two before.  Ladies, if you schedule a blowout, please check the salon's cancellation policy in case we need to reschedule your outdoor session for weather. Please let me know if it's more than 24 hours so we can make weather calls early.
• Pick your vibe. When you imagine what your holiday card is going to look like, what are you picturing? Are you picturing red flannel and warm cozy fleece? Do you envision elegant dress wear and champagne colored undertones? Or do you want everyone in matching PJs? Please let me know your vision so I can bring the coordinating props and plan accordingly!
• Start with One Person's Outfit and Go From There- Choose your favorite outfit and then pick colors from that outfit to coordinate the rest of your family. Ladies, I recommend choosing your outfit first if you want to love your photos. Work slowly from there- picking a color or two from your outfit and building out.
•  For easy coordinating, stick to a color palette of 3-5 colors. Start with one article of clothing and pull colors from that for everyone else to wear. Avoid everyone wearing the same color tops or bottoms, mixing it up helps prevent people blending together in the photograph. (Unless you're doing family matching PJs. Then match away! ) I also recommend considering color palettes that can coordinate with your home if considering hanging the images in print or canvas.
• Holiday colors. Deep rich reds, elegant greens, golden champagne, sparkling silver. These are the colors we love for the holidays. But feel free to get adventurous. Jewel tones blues and purples, winter whites, etc. Please make sure the tones from one outfit to the next don't clash. There are many shades of each color so coordinate and match, don't clash!
• Snacks and high impact rewards- please make sure your family eats 1-2 hours before the session to avoid anyone being “hangry” but please avoid any food or snacks that will stain the teeth or mouth area. I always have marshmallows with me when photographing children because they're small and white and leave no stains. If you don't want me to pull them out, please consider bringing an alternative. Sometimes a bribe goes a long way.
• Things to pack & things to leave behind- We want to carry with us the absolute bare minimum. Pack a small bag that can fit baby wipes and can fit your cell phone and car keys. Please bring tissues and wipe boogies as you see them!! You can leave this with my camera bag and we'll keep it close during the session. Please plan to have nothing in your pockets. Sunglasses are best left in the car.
•  Let me guide the session-  I truly want your photos to be the most amazing pictures you've ever taken. The best way to get there is to trust me. Yes, sometimes kids will be unruly and misbehave. Most of that is pretty normal. Children ages 2-4 especially are going to have trouble sitting still, so capturing authentic and beautiful interactions during the shoot is best for these ages. I will give you prompts and tips. We'll play some games and have fun. Children who are being themselves look beautiful in the final product. So please try to have fun. Laugh off the wild child and trust the process.