Preparing for Your Portrait Session

Preparing for your portrait session in Arizona is a breeze when you take the time to get organized beforehand. Take these simple steps to make sure you are photo-ready for your next photography session.

Schedule Your Session

Most outdoor photography sessions in Arizona are in the fall, winter, or spring, especially if you are in the Phoenix area. As a natural light photographer who prefers to photograph sessions outdoors, these are my favorite seasons to schedule sessions.

Arizona’s landscape tends to look similar year-round, with subtle changes in the trees and flowers that bloom at various times. Fall in Arizona will tend toward a drier look, especially for sessions in the desert, while spring in the desert will include more green. There are beautiful locations to get a variety of different styles for your session!

Consider a fall mini session to capture those memories!

Decide what to Wear

Ah, the big question: what should we wear?

Let’s start with what not to wear. Please avoid neon colors as well as bright pinks, oranges, and reds. These colors tend to color cast, meaning the color you are wearing tends to reflect onto your face. It really is not the look you’re going for!

Choose natural looking colors. Muted blues and greens pair wonderfully. Consider soft pinks, yellows, or lavender. Keep it neutral with tans and muted rust colors.

Consider muted jewel tone colors. Make sure they are deep, muted colors and not overly bright.

Patterns are wonderful if done right. A soft floral pattern or a small gingham are beautiful. Avoid overly loud plaid, big stripes, or busy patterns. Too much going on will distract from the people in the photograph!

Here’s a helpful color palatte of choices that photograph beautifully!

Get Ready

Clothes should be wrinkle free (as wrinkles can show up very obviously in your photographs)!

Shoes should be tidy, because sometime’s your feet will be in the photograph.

Ladies, if you choose to wear polish, make sure it’s finished and not chipping. Also, consider a neutral color that goes with everyone’s clothing in the photograph for a non distracting and timeless look.

Choose accessories that are classic. Minimalistic jewelry and pieces that have meaning to you will be most important in your photographs. Avoid the latest trends; they’ll just make your photographs look dated.

If you have kids in your portraits, consider a change of clothes for them, just in case.

Plan ahead

Know your location destination and confirm details with your photographer if you have any questions. The last thing you want is to feel rush, or – even worse, be running late for your session.

Have necessities packed ahead of time and ready to go. It can be warm a lot of the year in Arizona, so it’s always a good idea to bring water for everyone.

During Your Session

Throw anything you think you might need in a small bag. Maybe it’s a hairbrush or lip gloss. Maybe it’s a lint roller. It’s better to come prepared and not need something!

Prepare Your Kids Well

Talk positively about the photography session leading up to it. Try not to stress, Mom! Consider a treat that your kids love that they could snack on in between photographs when they get a break that isn’t messy! As in, please don’t bring chocolate for this treat!

After your session, find a way to celebrate. You guys did it! Whether it’s grabbing dinner out or a treat you can take home and share as a family, find a way to celebrate finishing your portrait session that makes the kids (and you?) look forward to it next time.

Looking to Schedule Your Family Portrait Session?

Preparing for your portrait session will set your photography experience off in the right direction.

I serve the northwest valley of Phoenix out of Peoria, AZ through sessions in including The Family Collection and Seasonal Mini Sessions. Looking for senior portraits? I offer those, too, in The Senior Collection.