Family Experience Planning

and

Style Guide

Congratulations and thank you so much for allowing me the honour of creating beautiful newborn images for you and your family. I hope that together we can craft gorgeous, timeless images for you to look back on and for your children to look back on.

My style is called "lifestyle". This means I will simply be capturing you being you. I do guide you into poses that create genuine, authentic images but for the most part you will be capturing you naturally interact with your baby and your family. When I come into your home the day of our session, I will bring my camera and only that. If requested, I will bring muslin wraps for your baby, headbands for baby girls and even lace gowns for moms for a romantic, classic look.

Please take some time to read through the following information as you prepare yourself and your family for your upcoming newborn session!

Just a recap of what is included in your Family Experience with Kendra Jordan Photography

Pre-Session Phone Consultation so we get all the details down for your session

Family Style Guide with tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years

Pre-Session Questionnaire for your session and your hair and makeup styling

Mothers will receive a total makeover in my studio, including hair curling, makeup application, and false lashes. The girls can have their hair curled and light makeup (if you wish.)

There will be board games and snacks for the littles while mom is getting pampered. There will be a playpen available if needed for infants and toddlers. For the men there will be access to Netflix if they wish.

You can bring your own outfits or select ones from my client closet to use. I will have a mobile changing station for when we are finished at the location.

From there we will head to a location of your choice within 30-45 minutes of my studio. I have several local locations within 10 minutes of my studio with tall grass and ponds.

I do not base sessions on time. My style is more lifestyle and candid.

Your session retainer includes retouching of all final images.

Within 2 weeks you will be able to come back to the studio and select you hi-resolution digital files or design and album depending on your collection choice below.

If you are traveling in a ways, we can also set up a zoom meeting to view your images.

Location. Location. Location

Choosing the right location for your family photo session.

As my client, I know you are thinking about SO MANY THINGS when booking your family session.  What to wear?  What time of day?  And… Where should you have your family photos taken?  I realize that the options might seem overwhelming at first, but I have a tried and true method that I walk each client through to help them find a location that is a good fit for their “style” and the age of the kids.

The location will set the overall mood and feel for your family shoot.  When choosing the perfect place for your family session there are several things that you want to consider.  In order to help you, I have broken the locations down into five general categories to help you narrow down your selection.  Once we have a category in mind I can help you determine the exact location.

Five types of photo locations you should consider for your family photo session.

1. Nature– Nature locations tend to offer wide-open spaces, tall grass, nature trails and beautiful Texas sunsets. This is a versatile backdrop that compliments most clothing styles.  In addition, nature locations are ideal for families with babies , toddlers and smaller kids as they offer a few distractions.  The best part is the little ones can roam freely without stress or the dangers or a more urban location.

2. Parks – Local city parks, walking trails and golf courses are filled with photography session options. These locations tend to be more manicured than nature locations with green grass, park benches, and landscaping. Many local parks have water features such as a pond, creek or waterfall. This is a perfect choice if you want a more polished look for your session. My one word of caution is to pick a location far away from a playscape as it will be a huge distraction for the younger kids.

3. Collective– Buildings and trees, alleyways and streets, nature and architecture. Collective locations offer a bit of everything for your family session. These locations allow us to incorporate a nature + urban feel into the same shoot giving you lots of variety.

4. Rustic – Weathered shabby buildings, historic downtown areas with exposed brick and chipped paint, and gravel country roads. You might feel as if you have stepped back in town when you are in a rustic location. The textures and colors add a lot of visual interest to your photos. This is a great option for families with school age and older children.

5. Urban – Brick buildings, alleys, colorful graffiti, parking garages, and busy streets + sidewalks. This is a perfect location for the family that loves the hustle and bustle that the city has to offer. The variety of elements and backgrounds are exciting and the bright colors make your images come alive. As with the rustic locations this type of environment is best for families with school age or older children who will stay close by and be able to follow instructions easily.

This is the time to think outside the box! I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, country club or resort. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel or even a boat, airplane hangar or a rooftop view. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around. You’ll be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask! My clients have secured permission to some pretty amazing places in the past. I have some great go-to locations around the studio that we can always hit, too. Just let me know which photos you love, and what type of location you’d like to feature, and we will go from there!

Included in your session is one location up to 30 miles from my studio location. If you wish to travel further than that, please let me know and I can get you my travel rates.

Family photo sessions with children don’t have to be stressful!

Family photo sessions can be a very stressful situation.  I know!  I have twin boys and remember some of our sessions through the years when I was pleading with them to be good, smile for the camera and please behave.  It was a train wreck and made the whole family tense. That’s when I realized there has to be a better way.  What if these sessions can be fun?  Enjoyable?

Your family session can be relaxed, fun and a place where you make beautiful memories!  That is why I have embraced the playful family session and capturing the joy + love that naturally comes from family connections. No stiff, posed images here!  Your session includes a custom Spotify playlist, games and prompts to set the mood and get everyone involved.

Here are a few of my tips that I want to share with you to help you get in the right mindset before the session begins.

1. Don’t expect your children to behave. The true essence of childhood includes many different sides and I want to capture the smiles, mischief, and the intensity of your children.   I know you have made a big investment in these images and you want really beautiful family photos, but it will not happen if you on them to behave. It is my job to engage with your children through games and prompts and draw them in the session.

2. Don’t ask your children to smile. Children are not fond of being told to smile.  Especially by their parents.  And when you get a smile it will be tense and forced.  That is why I use the playful family session method to achieve genuine expressions, smiles, and laughter.  It takes time for them to warm up to me and my camera but by the end of the session everyone is laughing and enjoying themselves

3. Relax and enjoy yourself! The kids will pick up on your mood and magnify it.  I have seen stressed parents create stressed kids time and time again. The best photo sessions are the families where the parents are relaxed and just want some time to connect with their children.  Let your children be themselves and focus on connecting with them just as you would at home. They will relax and have natural expressions!

You now have the powerful tools to create a proper mindset with the kids at your next family session. You can now look forward to a relaxed and enjoyable family session where your only responsibility is to have fun and enjoy this sweet time with your babies!

What to Wear

The hardest part of family portraits isn’t taking the photos – that part’s fun! It’s figuring out what to wear for family pictures. But don’t worry, that part can be fun, too. Just follow a few simple guidelines and tips (or check out my Client Closet), and your whole crew will be looking like your favorite Pinterest board! I’m always happy to answer any questions and offer ideas to get you going.

1. Choose Mom’s Outfit First

As moms, we often take care of everyone else before ourselves. However, when it comes to family portraits, it’s Mom’s turn to go first! I recommend starting with the leading lady’s outfit since it’s typically easier to find matching kids’ and men’s clothing. I think flowy dresses look stunning and flattering on almost every body shape, and floral prints add a lovely touch, too. Ultimately, choose something that makes you feel confident and beautiful – because you are! 

Next, choose coordinating kids’ outfits. Pull in complementary colors or a similar pattern as an accent. Choose Dad’s outfit last since his is usually the easiest to put together. For Dad, choose a different color than Mom’s outfit so you don’t look blended together while standing next to each other in photos. For instance, if Mom is wearing a burgundy dress, he might opt for gray, cream, or a patterned button-down.

2. Consider the Location 

Choose your outfits based on the location. You don’t want to blend into the background. For example, if you’re taking photos in the woods, you’ll probably want to stay away from earth tones and dark colors – no navy, black, green, brown, etc. Instead, select colors that will pop more against the trees, such as mustard yellow, burgundy, light blue, cream, blush, pink, and other pastels (keep the season in mind as well).

3. Add a Pattern or Texture

Contrary to popular belief, you aren’t stuck with solids for portraits. Without going overboard, an accent pattern, floral print, or fun texture (or sparkle!) can add definition to your photos. Matching solids (especially dark solids) will make everyone appear lumped together. So, use your outfits to add extra definition to your photos. 

4. Think about How You’ll Use Your Photos

Keep in mind where you will display your photos, too. Maybe you’re taking pictures during the winter, but you want to hang a portrait in your dining room. As cute as the outfits might be, Christmas colors or plaid may not be your best bet for year-round wall art. Choose attire that complements your home décor. On the other hand, if you only plan on using them for themed holiday cards, by all means, go for the adorable buffalo plaid shirts and fuzzy vests.

5. Coordinate, Don’t Match 

Choose colors that are in the same family or complementary/coordinating colors. Thankfully, we’re no longer in the ’90s, when the whole family wore jeans and white button-downs for photos. Go ahead and display some personality and flavor through your outfits.

6. Pull the Look Together with Accessories

Accessories can help to complete the look and tie everything together. Blazers, suspenders for boys, bows and headbands for girls, scarves, vests, chunky jewelry, and hats are great options.

7. Match the Style

Pick outfits that feature the same style. For example, if Mom is wearing a beautiful gown from my Client Closet, Dad should not be dressed for a hike. A t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes won’t cut it. For formal photos, everyone needs to look formal, or your photos will look disjointed. Typically, most families land somewhere between business casual and semi-formal. Although some summer or winter-themed sessions sometimes call for their own seasonal styles.

8. Ask Kendra!

I also have an ever-growing client closet for you to utilize if you can’t seem to find the right piece or want to look glamorous without buying a new dress. My closet includes:

  • Maternity and non-maternity designer dresses for women in a variety of colors and styles.

  • A few designer dresses for children

  • Bows, headbands, bow ties.

  • And more!

Let me know if you’re interested in selecting outfits from my closet, and I can show you what’s available – I’m constantly adding to it. I’m also happy to offer outfit guidance specific to your photo location. We can set

Dads

Moms, I’m speaking to you. Is your husband feeling less than thrilled about our upcoming photoshoot? Don’t worry, this is totally normal. They likely already know how important this is to you and that is why they are a part of the session but remind them it's going to be painless. I have a pretty relaxed vibe so it never feels overwhelming or stiff. Remind them they do not need to stand in front of me and smile the entire time, the adults have just as much fun as the kids.

More often then not I get messages from mom's after the session telling me how their husband said the entire experience was less painful then they thought it would be. I have also had moms tell me their husband mentioned they should do another session a year or so later. If the dads are giving the mom's the reminder to rebook, that in itself is the biggest success for me!

Moms

You also deserve a huge pat on the back. Getting in the frame is just as important for you as it is for your kids and your husband or partner. It is so often that moms are the ones taking the pictures because it is always, always on our mind. When your kids sit down with you as they grow older you never want to have to answer the question "Where were you, mom?". Because you were there too and it will be so nice to have proof of that.

On the day of our session, I am sure you will be nervous and that's so natural! When I have my family sessions, it gives me anxiety for days leading up to it because you just want everything to be perfect and you have planned everything likely yourself! It is a lot of work! All I ask for you is to come as yourself, live in the moment, take in your children. If anything is out of place then I will let you know. Just be present.

Kid's

Preparing your kids for our session as much as possible often takes the timidness out of the evening. Let them know what we will be doing the moment we book our session if they are unfamiliar with having their pictures taken during a professional family session. Let them know we are going to have fun, play games, tell jokes. Talk to them about me as if I am a friend so that they see you are comfortable with me, this usually helps them feel comfortable as well. Don't worry about telling them to smile during our session, some kids who have been coached to smile for the photographer get so nervous that they are fighting to laugh, relaxing and being their true selves. But I promise you that letting me get them to smile genuinely will make you the happiest when you see your final result. If I need your help to let them loosen up, I’ll let you know!

I’m a huge fan of bribery - (ice cream after!) is always a great idea for the ones who need a little extra encouragement. Treats during the session are totally ok! Just please make sure they won't leave their face messy. Skittles and gummy candy are always great but try and stay away from anything that has crumbs or chocolate.

Just a few thoughts on your kids + the big day! I mentioned bribery. Love it! Keep in mind that most bribery snacks make messes and have dye in them which will change your kids' mouths. I suggest keeping the goodies in your bag or car until after we’ve finished or bring them out as a last case scenario. Please make sure your children go to the bathroom before leaving, as well as limiting their liquid intake beforehand unless they are completely comfortable using a bush. Sessions with younger children (18 months and under) typically last one hour. If your little one isn't accustomed to staying up until sunset, please adjust their naps as best you can, and rest assured that one night of staying up past their bedtime will be just fine as we will be having fun (I promise!) As with any age, I take my time and do my best to allow your kids to feel comfortable around me and know we are going to have a blast!

During the shoot, if you are not in the picture, please let me interact with your child, unless I ask for help! Many parents will stand behind me trying to get their babies' attention and what this does is distract baby from me and look away from the camera to you! I like to give the little ones a chance to just play with me, so it's okay if they aren't giving big smiles right off the bat. Trust me and trust the process. Mom and dad, as you focus on your children, don’t forget about yourself! Keep your posture good and be mindful of where your hands are. Always look at each other, smile at each other and always be touching. Close hips together, holding hands, arms around your wife's hips and creating interactions. Unless I ask you all to look at the camera then just look at each other and love on each other! Don't worry! I do have tricks and tips do make this happen more organically so do not feel pressure! Something else to keep in mind is to be watchful of your own expression as you’re trying to get baby to smile. Remember you are in the photos as well! If you make a silly face to get your baby to smile, smile immediately after so your silly face isn't in the images. I am a moment-based photographer so I am trying to capture the moments otherwise forgotten but still do a pretty good job at noticing things that are looking a bit off. That's my job, trust me and trust the process.

Hair Styling and Makeup Application for Mom

While the hair styling and the makeup part will be fully handled, taking a few things into consideration and being adequately prepared will go a long way! Read below to find out what you should do to get ready and what to expect from this process…

Wash and dry your hair

Your hair should be clean - the biggest distinction being that you’re not getting a blow out, but hair styling with hot tools. So it’s best to wash and dry your hair the morning of your photoshoot (make sure to schedule the start time to allow you enough leeway to do that). Your hair should be completely dry, ideally, otherwise it will be difficult to set it into the hairstyle you want. If you have curly hair, or follow a specific nighttime drying regimen, then obviously you should wash your hair the night before and follow your standard process. If you typically have to blow dry your hair or it becomes frizzy and unmanageable, then please do that! The point being, we want a good starting point of clean and dry hair that the hair & makeup artist can work with.

Moisturize Skin

If you use moisturizing cream daily, then this should already be part of your routine… but if you don’t, it’s very important that you do this the night before and the morning of your photoshoot. When you arrive to the Studio, the makeup artist will make sure to apply appropriate makeup, but she still needs a good base to work with. So wash your face, apply moisturizer and eye cream, and you should be all set to go!

Hydrate

A lot of what defines our skin comes from within. That means the things we consume, or don’t consume, can drastically change how healthy and radiant our skin looks. While it’s probably too late to change your entire diet in order to have a youthful glow for the photoshoot, but you can easily impact the hydration of your skin by simply drinking more water. So have a large glass of water when you wake up, and keep drinking more as the morning progresses (I have various types of water just for that in the Studio, btw). Extra bonus points if you can start this the day before.. and yes, it makes a big impact!

Bring any skin-specific makeup you use

If you have specific allergies, are super sensitive, or simply found the best foundation or coverup for your skin, bring it to the Studio with you! The makeup artist will have everything on-hand, but she obviously won’t have any highly specialized products you might require.

Hair styling is always first. Making sure your hair is clean and fully dry makes the process really easy and quick. The hair & makeup artist will style your hair in any way you like - from a polished version of your everyday look, to a fancier style - and will move to makeup right after. Now, having makeup done doesn’t mean you will look like you’re going out on the town (unless that’s what we’re going for in portraits!).

Makeup for photoshoots is highly specific, but can look as natural as a no-makeup look. It’s important to enhance certain things for photographs (eyelashes, blush, and lips) since the camera tends to play everything down, but the purpose of hair & makeup is simply to make you look your best based on your preferences. So relax and enjoy the process.. and make sure to book a dinner or lunch out since you’re going to look amazing!

Final Thoughts

I know I just gave you a lot to think about. I created this guide to help make your portrait session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future memories are the most important thing to me, and I want your session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And I'll take care of the rest!

Experience Timeline - What to Expect

ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR SESSION

 

  • Drink lots of water.

  • Avoid being exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.

  • Moisturize your skin and face. Baby your skin all week!

  • Wash your face with gentle cleansers.

  • Any hair changes need to be done now, so that there is time to correct if you are not satisfied with the outcome.

 

4 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SESSION

 

  • Clean up your eyebrows.

  • Clean your jewelry you plan on wearing.

  • Gather your outfits.

 3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SESSION

You can expect to get a confirmation from me, just making sure we are on the same page about your shoot start and end time, and location... and I'll also ask if you have any last minute questions!

THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION

  • Avoid eating foods that cause bloating. The last thing you want for your experience is to feel that fast food bloat.

  • Skip the alcohol. It's not great for our skin and makes our bodies retain extra water. Drink water instead.

  • Sleep! Get the best rest you possibly can.

 

THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION

 

Arrive with clothes that everyone can hang out in. Bring your outfits ready to hang. You don’t want the kiddos getting messy or any makeup to get on outfits before we get to start your photos.

Mom should arrive with face clean and moisturized, and hair dry and ready to be heat styled.

Mom will start getting her hair styled and makeup applied, while the children are able to play games. There will be snacks and drinks provided according to your questionnaire (another reason for them to be in play clothes before the session begins. Let’s be honest, kids are messy! That’s part of the fun!) I will have a TV set up in my office where dad is able to chill and watch Netflix. Dad is welcome to join in on playing with the kiddos! It’s all part of the experience. This day is meant for family memories.

Once mom is hair and makeup ready, we will get everyone changed into their outfits and load up to the decided upon location. If anyone decides to borrow anything from the client closet, I will have a mobile changing tent to change out of when the session is complete.

My experience sessions are not based on time. We will shoot until We time these so that we have the perfect sunsets.

After your Experience Session

Within two weeks of your shoot, you will have your photo reveal appointment with me so that you can see all of your proofs and select the images you wish to and order anything you'd like. You should be prepared to place your full order on the day of your photo reveal and ordering appointment. Most clients find them­selves upgrading their album and adding images, and also purchasing a piece or three of wall art.

At your Reveal Session appointment, you will be able to come back to the studio and select you hi-resolution digital files or design and album depending on your collection choice. I know you're going to love your images, and these reveal appointments are so much fun. I can't wait to share your photos with you! You will also be able to look and touch any luxury albums and products I offer from my professional lab.

Your hi-resolution digital files do include personal printing rights. You can choose to print with any lab of your choice. Ask me for suggestions!

Weather

A quick but important note: if the weather turns out warmer/cooler than you anticipated when putting together outfits, please adjust what everyone is wearing. Doing a session when it's sweltering and kids are overdressed is never fun. Likewise, if a cold front comes through unexpectedly. I will most likely cut sessions short if I think the kids are too cold/overheated or not having it because of them being uncomfortable. The best tip I have is regardless of the weather, always have a sweater to coordinate with their outfits so if we get a chilly wind come through, they can stay warm. It is always best to have too many clothes than not enough.

I will be watching the weather all day, likely up to days before. If it doesn't rain but is overcast, we can still do the shoot, in fact, some of the best light is overcast light. If it looks like a 60% or greater chance of rain, we will make the call together to reschedule based on both our schedules.

Illness and Late

Just as important as the weather, are you and your family's health. There isn’t anything worse than an unhappy and sick feeling child, it's hard on you and it's hard on them - they especially do not want to be in front of a camera. At the first sign that your kids aren’t well, please give me a call and we will reschedule for the soonest available date. Just keep in mind with busy seasons it is harder to schedule in so if anything comes up let me know as soon as possible.

Being late, it happens! Life happens! I get that, I have a kiddo of my own. I try to only do one session per evening but during the busy season I can have up to two. I will wait up to 15 minutes before having to leave to meet my next session so I am not late for them. My contact information is on almost every email you will get from me so just give me a call if you know you're running behind so I can plan accordingly.