FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should we wear?
This is one one my most commonly asked questions. I encourage you to wear what you feel most comfortable in whether that’s more casual, work attire, or you’d like your images to be more smart casual.
When choosing how to dress the family I always suggest the ‘two tone colour selection’. This means dressing in two tones of colours. ie. shades of blues and white. For example, Mum wears a white dress, Dad wears a blue and white striped shirt and navy pants. The daughter wears a denim dress. The son wears blue/white gingham shorts with a navy shirt. Your outfits don't have to be too "matchy, matchy", just work with a colour scheme.
Other tips to optimise your images:
Avoid loud prints and bright colours ie. no fluorescent
For adult women and teenage girls, if you're going to wear a dress/skirt, wear something that flows and with some length. There may be some sitting/ squatting down
For younger girls- just be mindful of underwear. Some bloomers for nappies or even a skort for toddlers and up is advisable for any age that a child doesn't understand the concept of "legs together"
Wear items that you feel comfortable and confident in
Hats can work, but in order to avoid harsh shadows on faces, not advisable for a whole shoot
Be mindful of overalls on babies and toddlers that are a bit big. They can often ride up and block their faces when being held by a parent
I keep my editing to a minimum and can not offer high end editing on bra straps, shirts that pull etc. It’s always best to get your fit right than expect editing after
Choose your battles with kids! A happy child is much better than an unhappy, well dressed child! Your day and preparation sets the scene and tone for the shoot
Too much white attire can blend in and subjects lose their depth in the image
Where would be best to have our images on our property?
I always try to avoid having buildings and infrastructure in the background as it can look messy
I do try to shoot with the sun behind you on very sunny days
If your shoot is NOT a sunrise or a sunset session and it’s really sunny: Mid day shoots can still be beautiful however we have to work with the light. Find a source of shade such as a beautiful tree, a shed or a verandah works well. I always try to shoot with the sun behind you to avoid too much glare and squinting.
If your shoot is NOT a sunrise or a sunset session and it’s overcast: Overcast light can be beautiful. If this is the case, find your most favourite spot on your property, whether that’s beside a creek, a spot with a vantage point or a beautiful tree.
Sunrise session: Somewhere open is advisable to capture the sunrise.
Sunset session: Usually I will start with some shade whilst the sun is still high (tree, shed, verandah) and then as the sun hits the sweet spot of what we call sunset, I opt for a spot that’s more open to optimise this light.
What happens if it rains?
Optimising your shoot and supplying you with images that you love, is my number one priority. Due to the nature of my work in where I travel, a lot, sometimes, rescheduling isn’t always possible. If it is an electrical storm, I’ll always do my best to create a plan B however, light rain can usually be worked around with some shelter. I approach each scenario differently based on flexibility with my travels and the needs of each client.
What should we bring to our shoot?
Here is a list of items I would highly suggest to have on hand:
Tissues
Baby wipes
Snacks/ treats/ bribes- please be mindful to avoid messy foods such as chocolate, berries, chips or any foods that might linger in a child’s mouth like a lollipop/ gum
Water/ hydration
Hair ties/ clips in case of windy weather
Additional props that work well:
Family pets
Ute or a side by side (to sit on the back of)
Bikes
Rug or picnic mat
Bench for larger family groups or for any families that have elderly members
Small stool for younger children to stand or sit on
Can we involve our pets in our shoot?
Absolutely! All animals (dogs, horses, chickens, cats, sheep, cows, goats) are welcomed in shoots. Animals bring a level of calmness and extra dimension to a shoot. Even if you think your dogs may be naughty, I’d still advise including them for an image or two. (Don’t forget the Schmakos!)
Do you only do farm shoots?
Live in town? That’s no problems! I will happily include those families that live in town and fulfil the shoot at a location of your choosing whether that’s at your home, in a park or out of town on someone else’s land.
Where are you based?
I am based between Brisbane and Dalby, QLD, however, each month I’ll travel to different areas across Australia for 10-16 days at a time. These proposed trips are shared on my social media usually a couple of months in advance or you can register your interest here so you can be notified when I’m coming to your area.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. Payment plans require a 50% deposit and you’re welcome to pay the remainder off over the following four months at your discretion. Images won’t be released until full payment is received and payments are non refundable.
What package should we choose?
Mini session: Ideal for young or smaller families with under five people. These sessions are particularly great for toddlers and kids with shorter attention spans. As the session is only 30 minutes long, it’s advisable to choose one to two spots that are close together to maximise shooting time.
Full session: These sessions work well for families who’d like to incorporate a few different spots for their images or may even have some Grandparents or other families that may want to be involved. I would also suggest this for families with more than three children. These sessions are 60 minutes long and with the extra time we have the opportunity to capture some more candid shots.
Generational session: These are created for multiple families. At approximately 90 minutes long, they cover portrait combinations for individual and extended families. If there is over 20 people in your extended family, please advise as more time might be required.