Everything you ever wanted to know about having a family portrait session!
Family Guide
Cayton Heath Photography
Love, Cayton
I'm so honored that you are considering trusting me with capturing portraits of your amazing family!!
With over 12 years of experience in the wedding and portrait photography industries I have the expertise you desire and the calm understanding you didn't realized you needed. Hand the reigns to me and I will capture this beautiful special season in your life and you will be able to get rid of some mom guilt because you got it done!
Feel free to reach out at any point during the process!
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
WELCOME
Below you'll find some handy tips for nailing down the perfect style.
Client wardrobe is such a helpful service and one I am so proud to offer you! I have a huge range of sizes and something for every member of the family. Let me know you are interested in this complimentary service when we have our consultation.
Size Range:
Women's XS to 4X
Men's Large to X-Large Shirts/sweaters
Children's Newborn to Size 12
& why we love it!
Client Wardrobe
no way, jose
- Being "matchy-matchy"
- White Socks That Stick Out
- Big Logos and Writing on Shirts
- Red, Bright Pink, or Orange (competes with skintone)
- Something that just isn't YOU
- Something uncomfortable that needs constantly adjusted
- Professional Hair and Makeup (a plus but not mandatory)
- Complementary color schemes
- Comfortable + easy to move in
- Flowly skirts or tops that show movement
- Something you feel AMAZING wearing - we want you to feel confident and look your best!
yes! yes! yes!
Family photo styling tips
It can be so hard finding something to wear! To make things as stress free as possible I offer client wardrobe in size XS-4X. I would love it if you came by and checked it out just to see if it would be a good option for you and your family.
If you are a do-it-yourselfer I put together some dos and don'ts to make what you wear an easy check off on your list.
what to wear
BE PREPARED
Getting your family ready for a Family Portrait Session really should earn any mom a gold medal! Seriously, Mama Friend I see your struggle and I appreciate your efforts. Once your session is complete you will cherish these images and it will be worth it... pinky promise.
To help you check something off the list I have one of my family's favorite go to snack that can be very multi-purpose. Its our famous black bean salsa recipe and you can eat it alone or in eggs or with tacos!
It keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
Combine the following ingredients, combine, and refrigerate up to 2 weeks
family session checklist
blog post about preparing the kiddos
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup finely cut red onion
1/4 cup chiopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small can mild green chilis- chopped
snacks that don't stain
water bottles
wrapped gifts for the kids
for mom- a calm spirit
ANYTHING ELSE SPECIAL OR SENTIMENTAL if you want it photographed
Cayton's Famous Black Bean Salsa
2 (15oz) cans of black beans- drained & rinsed
1 (16oz) can of shoepeg corn- drained
1/4 cup lime juice
Read the blog post
opening a wrapped gift after for a great job can be very motivating
Let's check something off your list!
DADS
- white or grey t-shirts are actually fine for him to wear
- don't nag him but encourage him that this will be painless & quick
- Double check that he trimmed any facial hair and his nails
- If he wants to wear jeans its ok as long as they are light & without holes
They sometimes need a little bit of extra encouragement before and during a session! Below are a few tips to help dad out.
Dad tips
01. Maternity Session
Normally, the first session of your Belly to Baby Membership would be a Maternity session. This is a great way to start this precious little one's story and showcase your beautiful belly. I have client wardrobe to help make this as easy as possible.
02. Newborn Session
Memberrship Value:
Membership Price:
The next session in the membership is a Newborn Session. You can choose to have your newborn session in the studio, in your home, or outdoors. This is the longest session in the membership and normally lasts 2.5 hours.
03. Two Milestone sessions
Within the membership you will receive 2 milestone sessions. These sessions capture your baby at 2 key month milestones. Tipically we would do this at the 6 month mark and the 12 month birthday mark.
Belly to Baby
Consider a membership as your family grows
04. What else is included in the membership?
Besides 4 specially priced sessions you will also receive:
- a private ordering appointment after each session
- 15 digital files from each session
- exclusive end of year membership gift of your choice
If you would like to exchange any of the below sessions with a Family Session you can totally do that!
Can you just imagine how wonderful it would be to have a full year of images of your baby!
The Belly to Baby membership is a fantastic way to capture your baby as they grow throughout a full year. Below is great information about what the membership entails.
$2,500+
$1495
First came love
and then came you.
Location Location
location
pros & cons
pros & cons
Studio or In-home
backyard or select location
Where should we have your Family session
inside
outside
The location you choose is such a huge factor in your newborn season's story. If you had a baby in Spring going outdoors would display that with beautiful colors. If you would like more formal shots of your new baby going into the studio would really capture that!
Below I lay out pros and cons to my top 3 newborn session location options.
pro
Beautiful unmatched golden hour light
pro
children have lots of room to be explore
pro
easy to capture lots of variety
Pro
can add a personal touch if you have a special spot
pro
If you want extended family portraits there isn't a cap on how many participants
con
The weather is unpredictable
con
sometimes there are bugs
con
if you or a family member need the potty there may not be one
con
longer wait for an availalbe session date due to limited time to shoot outdoors
Things to think about
going outdoors is fun
CLOSE Tab
outside
con
timing for good light might not be whenwhen you are available
pro
Reliable lighting because I use artificial light
pro
Our session doesn't rely on good weather
pro
easy access to client wardrobe, snacks, AC/Heater and potty
Pro
personal touch if we use your home
pro
timeless if we shoot in the studio space
con
studio lacks the variation in background unlike outdoors
con
Studio doesn't have as much room for children to run around
Things to think about
indoors is reliable
CLOSE tab
inside
con
in-home may make you feel like you need to clean (but you don't)
Of all the things my hands have held;
the best by far is you!
Posing & session flow
What types of poses do we focus on
Posed
I always try to get at least one portrait where you are all together and looking at the camera. I know that many grandparents and family members love this shot. Its not a huge priority but we do try to get one.
mommy & Daddy together
This is a very important shot to me. Many mommies and daddies haven't had a good shot together since they were married so we always try to get a few of just the two of you together. Much of the time this is Dad's favorite time of the whole session.
Grandparents/ extended family
If you are doing an extended family session we always try and get the group together. Then I will break up individual families and get them together. If we have time I will then capture every child alone.
candids
The majority of every session is made up of candid posing. I say posing because even though the image looks candid I will still guide you into the moment and help you know exactly what to do, Candids are great when capturing the kids alone and getting some great personality shots. Those are my favorite!
family session shot list
whole family together - posed
whole family together - candid
mommy with children
daddy with children
just the children
each child alone
mommy & daddy alone
unique combinations special to you
If everyone is feeling up for it and cooperating these are the goal:
START THINKING ABOUT
How you want to display your portraits
With almost a decade of experience in heirloom product design I know that this can be quite the daunting process to walk through alone. That is why I love coming along side my clients and helping them create the photographic heirloom treasures that will be in their family for generations.
The first thing I recommend is for you to start thinking about where in your home you would love to either hang wall art or display a beautiful album. Once you start dreaming the process becomes fun and encouraging.
Every session includes a design and ordering appointment which happens when I hand deliver your images to you! You can utilize this service how you want to and additional purchases are optional.
talk about whats important to you
If you are going to be purchasing heirlooms I encourage you -together with your spouse and family start the conversation about wall art and albums. Heirlooms are a quality product and a worth while investment that is never regretted.
Making sure you are on the same page with which items are wanted and how you would like to pay for them helps your ordering appointments run like a dream.
If payment break downs along with spreading it all out over time helps you out I am glad to create a payment plan that works for you. Just let me know during your consultation or ordering appointment and I'll be glad to help.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
- Dr. suess
IMAGE DELIVERY
Why we use Proof images
get ready for any optional ordering
View the Frame Catalog
View the Album Guide
HOW IT WORKS
I love taking customer service to the "extra" level. Proof images are one way that makes the whole process feel magical and special for your family.
For your portrait session I will print out a set of 4x6 proof/ordering prints and personally deliver them to your door. They make it so easy to select your digitals and any custom heirlooms.
Imagine gorgeous images laid out across your table! its so much for fun to design and order that way!
THE HIGHEST QUALITY heirlooms FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED MOMENTS. THESE QUALITY pieces WILL LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.
Albums & frames
Heirlooms
Note about ALBUM DESIGN
A few weeks after your session we can start designing your heirloom album. Normally the start of your design happens at your design & ordering appointment. The process is super easy and you'll get to pick exactly how you want it.
Link to album guide
PICK YOUR OPTIONS
You'll have the chance to pick out your album size, material and color. I have a page outlining all of the choices!
Or for frames the catalog above.
Heirloom Layout
Once your options are selected, I'll create the album page layouts using the best of your photos. Or I'll finalize your wall art gallery preferences. When I'm done I'll send a proof your way and we can make any changes you want.
Enjoy your heirloom
Once everything looks good to go and you like your layout, I will order your album or wall art and upon its arrival personally deliver it to you.
heirloom design process
Feel free to shoot me an email with any questions!
SITE DESIGN BY RACHEL KICK & BT Creative
Thank you for considering trusting me to capture your special season! If you need to contact me at any point during the process, feel free to shoot me an email!
