Photoshoot Tips and Tricks!
-To make your shoot more magical!
Tip 1: Location and time of day
There are two very important elements to any good picture: location and light. We’re blessed with a wonderful diversity of locations here on the Front Range, from wide open plains and towering mountains to natural waters and complex architecture.
Take a look at the couple in these pictures: same people, but the location of each picture gives off very different emotional tones. The location of your shoot is going to do a lot to set the tone of the pictures, so consider what emotions you want from your pictures. We’ll work with you to select a perfect location.
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The when of a location can be just as important as the where when it comes to light. “Golden hour” is the 2 hour time just after sunrise and just before sunset. During golden hour, we get all sorts of beautiful sunbursts, golden halos, rich colors, and dynamic shadows. We always suggest pictures at these times, and will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Keep in mind that natural light photography is on the sun’s schedule, and make sure you give yourself time to take
care of makeup and travel.
Tip 2:
Clothes help set the tone
You are what you wear! Do you want to be romantic and dreamy? Fashionable and edgy? Authentic and cozy? What you wear will play a big role in telling your story in your pictures. Make sure your outfit plays a supporting role in the story you want to tell about yourself.
Colors and tones say a lot in a picture. If you want your pictures to feel playful, go for brighter colors. If you want a sense of peace, aim for more neutral earth tones.
Dark clothes look sophisticated, and pinks and burgundies give a romantic touch. Keep in mind that reds and oranges are extremely powerful colors, and can overtake your photos if you go too hard. Powerful bright colors
like that are best used as a pop of color from a
choice accessory or undershirt.
If you’re doing a couple, group, or family shoot and you want to give a sense of belonging together, aim for a coordinated color palette but beware the overt match. If you are all wearing the exact same color we often run into something we call “the blob effect”, where it’s hard to see where one person ends and another begins. Instead, work in similar colors but different shades or patterns, or similar families of colors (pastels, jewel tones, earth tones, etc).
The aim is to coordinate, but not to match!
If you plan to wear makeup for the shoot, don't be afraid to put it on a little bit heavy. What the camera sees is a little different than what the human eye sees. If it looks just a little overdone, you're good, but don't go so heavy that you look like a different person!
Tip 3:
Memories are in the details
The little details are the ones that you’ll miss most: the way your partner looks at you, the way your little one can’t stop sucking their thumb, how the light catches in your baby’s curls, and so many more. We want to help you capture those details, so be sure to tell us what’s important so we can make sure to incorporate it into the shoot.
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Props like blankets, favorite toys, or other personal effects can be a great way to capture the moment. Different outfits can also help capture special details, so bring a change of clothes! Interactive elements like swings, climbing rocks, or other locational props are a fun element that we can incorporate. Pets and other family members are welcome, but please let us know in advance so we can be sure to plan for it. The more we talk and get to know what’s important to you, the more we can be sure you get it!
Tip 4: It should be fun!
We don’t do stiff poses and fake smiles. We want real laughs, genuine connections, and pictures you can tell a story about. We use prompts and games to encourage picture perfect moments,
so come ready to play along!
It can be awkward for romantic couples to let loose and get comfortable enough to take those good pictures. We’ll work with you to break the ice, bring out the feelings, and even make you laugh. You’re in good hands, and if you trust us and go with the prompts we promise your pictures will come out looking awesome!
We know younger kids have a lot of energy, and it’s hard to keep them still and well behaved. Parents, we’ll take the lead and encourage you to just sit back and enjoy the creative chaos (if we need help, we’ll let you know)! We’ve got all sorts of great games and special treats for your little ones, like special edits to turn them into superheroes, faeries, or other fantastical characters! Let us know in advance if you would like to take advantage of these special edits so we can bring the right equipment to capture it!
Tip 5: Be Yourself!
We know it can be nerve-wracking to be in front of a camera, with all the lights and gear and everything. The most important piece of advice we have is for you to just relax and have fun! While you're with us, we encourage you to let go, leave your worries alone, and be in the moment.
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Our goal is to make your shoot with us a wonderful experience. The connections, creativity, and love that we experience as humans is a work of art in itself, and it's our pride to capture that on film. Thank you for sharing this time with us, and we can't wait to take your pictures!
