Holiday Mini’s Guide
Session location details…
This year our location has changed..sessions will be hosted at:
18960 Munro Mills Road, Apple Hill
Sessions will be held inside, so no need to worry about rainy or windy weather!! Please do still dress appropriately for cooler weather..no one likes to be cold!!
There is plenty of parking & room for everyone…even your dogs!! Please arrive 5 - 10 minutes early to your scheduled session, this gives little ones some time to adjust to their new surroundings or settle any last minute issues that may arise. Holiday sessions are scheduled in a time sensitive manner & any amount of time that you are late will directly impact the length of your session. If you have little ones, try to bring a back up outfit...messes happen!!
When you arrive please drive towards the barn & please park at the parking area behind the barn. Remain in your vehicle until your welcomed inside to the set by myself!
Just in case I am still with another family!!
What if the children don’t behave?! What if our outfits don’t match?! What if there aren’t any good photos?!?
Please DON’T worry!!! What I see as children misbehaving won’t be the same as you see them misbehaving…for example when they are giggling, making jokes or acting silly! You may consider this misbehaving but I see it as a photograph showing their true nature…laughing, having fun with each other & feeling comfortable enough to make the silly faces!!
As a mother to six children, I COMPLETELY understand how nerve racking a session CAN be…but I will let you in on a little secret! Children feed directly on our emotions….yes, they do! If we are nervous, stressed or snappy before or during our session, they will sense that & often will react differently than usual. Best advice?! Take as many deep breaths as you need, engage with your family…laugh, tickle, make funny voices, tell a joke, play tag or make a silly face!!! Once your children see that you are relaxed & ready to have fun…they are more likely to do the same!
Session nerves…
Plan ahead..
Start thinking of clothing options once your session is booked, this helps to avoid a stressful situation the day before or the day of your session! Trying out your outfits prior to the session, making sure all the clothing fits properly, a certain shirt isn’t sitting at the bottom of the laundry pile or your favourite pants aren’t at the dry cleaners still!! Have a change of clothes handy at the shoot if you have little people, accidents can happen in the car on the way to the session!
I highly recommend shopping in your closet before heading out the purchase a whole new wardrobe for your family! You may surprise yourself at the options you already have available!! Take your time & really look at what you already have…take out all those scarves, jewellery, pants, tops & ties…lay them out & start to think of colours that work well together.
Choosing colours…
Speaking of colours that work well together, coordinating doesn’t necessarily mean matching! Choose 1 or 2 “star attraction” colours & then add in complimentary colours is the best plan of action, for example…many times it’s much easier to find the main colour in the females clothing! We sometimes are the hardest ones to dress…I always start with my outfit before dressing the rest of my gang!!
Once your outfit is chosen, it’s much easier to choose clothing for the rest of your family in colours that either compliment or match your colours. For example… a cute red/white/black plaid shirt for you, black jeans on your husband with a solid red shirt, white dress for your daughter & black sweater for your son with jeans!! Whatever you choose, make sure your comfortable in your option!!
Having trouble picturing a combination?? Hop onto Pinterest & look up colour options…you will be amazed at the options available!!
Solid colours as your main clothing is awesome, but be sure to chose clothing that has as little logo’s or characters as possible!! Your little one might be a huge fan of Paw Patrol or maybe Peppa Pig but having those characters on their clothing will take the focus away from the faces of your family!!
Adding patterns can be a great addition to your family’s outfits, especially for Holiday Mini’s!! The smaller or more subtle the pattern, the better…checkered flannel, plaid or florals are fantastic ways to add in patterns. When incorporating patterns, best to keep them to one or two people max…too many patterns makes your images feel a little hectic & distracting for the viewer. Going back to that previous ensemble, pattern on yourself & maybe your daughter adds interest but doesn’t overwhelm.
Get the idea?!
Shoes & accessories..
Here is where you can get creative & add in your personality with accessories…necklaces, earrings, rings, scarves, bracelets, hats, sunglasses & your footwear…can all add in your love of a favourite colour in fun ways!! Just continue to make sure these accessories complement your outfits & each other!!
Speaking of footwear, for some clients this is the most important part of their outfit!! Some of us ladies tend to get really excited about shoes….while others, like myself tend to put so much thought into the outfits that footwear gets forgotten! Shoes are like a cherry on top of a sundae, they really finish off the look…but the wrong footwear can become distracting! Boots, flats, coloured Converse, cowboy boots, wedges or sandals are some great shoe choices!!
Stay comfortable…
After all this guidance, the main point that I want to stress is….make sure your comfortable!! That is the number one point I would like to highlight STAY COMFORTABLE!!! If you feel comfortable in your clothing, then you will look comfortable during your session. There is nothing worse than wearing an outfit you don’t feel comfy in…itchy sweaters, a top that is too tight or pants that are too big that will make you feel uncomfortable.
Being comfortable applies especially to children, let your children dress themselves….ok don’t let them actually dress themselves but give them options! Pick out two or three “mom approved” outfits & let them decide which one they like best…let them think they are in charge, they will feel proud that they “picked” their own outfit! They will feel excited to have their images taken & are less likely to be grumpy & uncomfortable!
The most important tip I can give is.....HAVE FUN!!! Relaxed parents = beautiful family portraits!! The more relaxed you are the more the rest of the family will be too!! A mini session can feel a little rushed & sometimes chaotic but keep in mind I am capturing your family/kiddos as they are now, with all their little quirks & personalities of their age!! Breathe in & interact with your loved ones.... those are always everyone favourites!!
Furry family members…
Yes, you absolutely can bring along your furry family members!!! I am a total pet lover…although we don’t have many “pets” in our home BUT I do adore other family’s pets!! Please ensure to let me know ahead of time & since this year, sessions will be hosted at a private home, keeping your dog on a leash is mandatory!!
Generally, once the photos with your pet are finished, plan returning your pet to your vehicle for the remainder of the session. They will be more comfortable & let’s us focus on the remainder of our session! Maybe bring along some water, a treat or their favourite toys to keep them entrained during the rest of our session.