9 Tips for Preparing for a Spring Photo Session
Who is ready for spring? Winter is very long in Montana, and often by February, we are saying things like, "I am so over winter." "Is Spring here yet?" A popular post trends on social media with the different Montana seasons, and there are several "false" Spring seasons, "Fools" Spring seasons, and 4th Winters!
Needless to say, Spring does come to the valley and when it does, it is glorious. Often referred to as mud season, spring brings beautiful displays of wildflowers, greenery, and a totally different landscape than winter.
With the arrival of spring comes more inquiries for photo sessions for families and seniors. So, how do you prepare? What are some tips to help you have the best session you can?
If you choose one of our Custom Sessions, we will help you with everything. Wardrobe selection, location, customizing art for your home, and more. We believe being a guided assistant is key to helping you have the best session, being prepared, and having beautiful art for your home that happens to be your family.
If you choose one of our All Inclusive sessions, we are still here for you, of course. This type of session, though, is more for those who like to "do it yourself" and prefer digital imagery over tangible art for the home. Thus, the cost is different because we have less time per session, and you have more control, rather than a collaborative effort.
Because of our different session options, we offer blog posts with helpful hints and tips for those who like to DIY. In this post, discover 9 tips to help you have the best spring session here in Montana or anywhere!
WARDROBE TIPS-
1. Wear layers. Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. We suggest wearing layers -- tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.
2. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family's outfits. Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. We recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting.
3. Speaking of accessories: wear them! Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.
4. Really think about your footwear. Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that's comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots. We also recommend wearing shoes or boots you do not mind getting muddy, and those that are comfortable for walking. You can then change into your other footwear once we get settled into the area we are actually taking photos in!
LOCATION & TIMING
1. Location is a big deal. You better believe we're going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those buds popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let us know. We have a nice list on hand, ourselves.
2. In addition to having a park, or preserve picked out, be sure to have a "spot" picked out in that larger location. We like to give a lot of variety in our sessions, and not do too much walking, so picking a spot that gives you a lot of variety within a larger area is key!
3. Time it right. Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you've already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give your photographer a call when the time is right.
4. Session appointment time is key. Having your session when the sun is overhead is not the best time. Most pro photographers, though, should know how to compensate for that and photograph in any light, but if you can have your session earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, the light is so much better! We recommend (depending on where you live) either a little past sunrise, at sunrise, or between 4-9 pm here in Montana, depending on the season. Spring sessions are great around that 4-5pm time slot!
Props
1. When we hear the word, "prop", we often think of the small items that overwhelm an image and make them the center of attention, rather than the people themselves, thus, we are not big fans. Still, there are many "props" that are in nature that can be incorporated into a photo session: trees, grass, rocks, fence lines, flowers growing up from the ground, and more.
Chairs and blankets, or items that are special to our clients are also used to make the images more meaningful and tell the story of their lives. So, we do recommend items such as those!
Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.
Would you like to tell your family's love story with us?
We would love to collaborate with you to tell your family's love story, celebrate your high school or college grad, and help your children realize just how valuable they are with our photographic experiences.
We offer several options to help you do that, so please give us a call or send us an email to get started. Check out our sessions and how things work below!
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