Preparing for your Valentine’s Session

Studio Address: 1320 Vermillion Street. Hastings, MN

Dressing your kiddos:

Pops of red will look best with this year’s setups but so will pinks, whites and blacks!

If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, if one of your daughters wears a dress, the other can wear a skirt or leggings, if that’s more of her style. If one of your sons wears a bowtie, the other can wear suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring even more visual interest to the photos.

Prepping your kiddos:

SETTING EXPECTATIONS BEFORE THE SESSION IS THE KEY TO GREAT PHOTOS AND HAPPY KIDS. 

Before your session, pack a bag with anything you might need for the car ride, session, and back home. If your kiddos is too young to follow directions, bring any objects that you think might help me get their attention (like small toys or stuffed animals) when it’s time for them to look at the camera.

If your little ones are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. Explain how much the photos mean to you so they know to be on their best behavior. A lot of families pick something fun to do –– as a treat after the session –– if their kiddos are good listeners. Like lunch or dinner at their favorite pizza place or an ice cream cone!

It also helps if your kids’ bellies are full and they’ve had some good rest before the session. After you do your best to prepare them, give yourself (and them) some grace! I have a lot of experience working with kids, so if they’re “in a mood” or aren’t cooperating perfectly for some reason, rest assured that I am not judging you (or them). I’ve seen it all and know how to get great photos no matter what! My goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you! This season of life feels long right now, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s short. So even if things don’t go exactly as planned or as you’d hoped in terms of your kids’ behavior, one day, you’ll be so glad you took these photos.