Rob Atkinson Photography | Session Prep Guide
You’ve got this!
I get the rabbit holing carried into a traditional family photography session. How do we coordinate our outfits without looking like we coordinated our outfits? What awkward poses will portraiture demand of us? Alternatively, how do we avoid lifestyle session cliches? You know, the dad being asked to toss a kiddo in the air? Or my kiddos jumping on the bed? Cute. But we have a no-child-throwing policy in our household. Besides, who doesn’t already have those photos?
Speaking of my kiddos, will they cooperate? Will they look at the camera when needed? With what will I bribe them? Will the photographer be able to entertain them; keep them happy and engaged; coax a natural smile out of them? And do all of this within an hour?
They’re all valid questions, yet none of them apply. Not here. I photograph family life. The laughter. The tears. Quiet moments and silly faces. Messy moments will most certainly surface. But so will the beauty of your shared, sacred lives. So breathe. Put your mind at ease. And ready yourself for a relaxed session that demands nothing of you and asks only for authenticity.
Now, let’s get you session ready!
“Session Prep Guide” makes it sound like there’s much to be done before your session. But don’t worry. There isn’t! This guide is written simply to inform you of what to expect during our collaboration. It also contains a few helpful tips, so it’s worth reading once you’ve got downtime!
One week before your session.
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If you opted for the payment plan, remember to visit your client portal and pay the remaining balance.
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If you’ve made special arrangements for the session that require your attention confirm them prior to the day I arrive. For instance, if you’ve hired me to document a session on the day of your kiddo’s birthday, and you’ve ordered a cake, call the bakery to confirm your order.
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Some kiddos might feel a bit out of sorts when a stranger shows up to hang out. For young children, it can be helpful to ease any potential anxiety by telling them you have a friend coming over — and that he’s bringing a camera to photograph how we play and care for each other. Be upfront with older kiddos: “A photographer is coming to take family photos, but it’s not what you think! We’re doing something different this time around. The photographer is going to hang out with us for much of the day, taking candid photos. That way, no one has to worry about dressing up, posing, or smiling in a way that doesn’t feel natural.”
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When talking to your kiddos about the upcoming session, don’t promise an after-session reward for participation. Doing so metaphorically “bruises the wine”. It might apply pressure to perform or leave them feeling impatient and eager for the session to end. This change in dynamic alters the outcome of your images, possibly leaving them feeling less genuine and more performative. Instead, treat the day as a reward. It’s a day set aside to make tent forts, battle dragons, or play at the beach!
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This is a hard one. I know. Have I mentioned that I have a teen? But you probably didn’t hire me to photograph your family hanging out with their devices or in front of the t.v. for much of the session. Consider having a family meeting and make a plan to limit screen time during your session. Discuss what enjoyed activities y’all can do instead. Consider giving your devices a “holiday”. Tuck them away somewhere so the attention often paid to screens is circumnavigated. This doesn’t mean missing important calls or texts. Keep phones within earshot, just not on your person.
One day before your session.
Remind your kiddos that a friend is coming over to hang out, and he’ll be photographing how we play, care for each other, etc.
Remind family members that screen time will be limited; instead, they’ll engage in other activities. Model excitement by letting them know what you’re looking forward to.
If you’ve planned any special activities, ensure you have what’s needed to make those activities happen.
Ready yourself for acceptance! Remember, all moods, emotions, and behaviors are welcome during the session. This includes meltdowns, avoidance, or refusal to participate. Tomorrow is about photographing your family’s lived experience!
Eat well, stay hydrated, and get as good a night of rest as you can.
Session day.
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Documentary sessions aren’t about you looking your best. They’re about you being you. So forget about coordinating outfits or dressing to the nines. Wear what aligns with your day-to-day style. This applies to all members of the family. Let them bring their sense of fashion to the session — whatever that looks like! Remember to consider the day’s activities and environments, though. Make sure the clothes fit what the day might bring. Oh, and one more thing. Mess happens. If your kiddos clothes get dirty during the session, no worries!
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A lived-in home is a storied home, so you need not concern yourself with its state of cleanliness. There’s no judgement here because the struggle to keep a house tidy is real! I know. I’m the parent of a teen whose highest priorities have nothing to do with a clean environment.
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A gentle reminder: you’ve hired me to photograph family members, not to supervise them. You’re the caregiver of your kiddos (and anyone else in the household that requires care) at all times. If I’m left alone with your kiddos, it’s as if they’re unsupervised. For example, if I’m left alone in a room with permanent markers and your kiddo goes Michelangelo on the ceiling, my job isn’t to stop it; rather, it’s to document it so you can look back decades from now and say, “Remember when…”
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I’ll spend our time together hanging out with my camera at the ready, meandering after people, and waiting for moments to reveal themselves. I’ll follow anyone and everyone around if I feel a photographic opportunity might present itself. But my role as a photographer is to document your family’s unique way of being with care, and empathy. This entails prioritizing your wellbeing over photographic opportunity. That you feel safe, seen, and celebrated during our collaboration is of the utmost importance to me. Remember: I won’t enter a room with a closed door. To me, a closed door communicates privacy.
On a side note, emotive images aren’t made by photographing non-stop. I will put my camera down at times. That doesn’t mean that I’m not working. I’m always observing: looking at lighting, considering composition, and anticipating organic moments.
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Memorable images don’t come about by always standing upright, at eye-level, several feet away; especially, when working with active kiddos in dynamic environments. I might climb furniture or lie on the floor to make an image. I’ll get in close with the camera. Quite close at times. The said, remember: my priority is your wellbeing. If climbing on a new, pristine couch causes too much stress, let me know. Likewise, if getting into someone’s personal space causes overwhelm for anyone in the family, let me know. A photography session should not be a stressor!
Six weeks later.
Within six weeks of your session, you’ll receive a curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery, as well as a print release. Remember, download and back-up your images as the gallery is only active for 1 month!
You’ll also have an opportunity to order archival quality prints, (both loose or framed) via your gallery. Alternatively, if you’d benefit from guidance during the process, we can schedule an in-person post-session consultation. Whichever works best for you!
Order prints within 24 hours of receiving your gallery and get a 15% discount!
Legacy Prints
Who doesn’t have access to their family photos 24/7? No doubt spread across multiple devices, you can access them anytime you want. But how often do you? If you’re anything like me, you rarely look at them because: (a) there are too many other apps competing for your attention, (b) you’re experiencing digital burnout and the thought of opening your phone makes you want to curl up into a ball on the floor, (c) not unlike content, they’re one more thing to scroll through and your “texting thumb” is flaring up, or (d) all of the above.
Then there’s legacy to consider. Will your kiddos have access to your collection of family photos if passwords are lost? Once the current file types or storage solutions become obsolete? How about your grandchildren?
With your session fee, you’ll receive a curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery. Loose and framed prints are sold separately via your gallery. That said, some parents need support in the decision making process, so I'm happy to schedule a post-session consultation to help!
The following prices include tax and free shipping.
Signature Prints
For those photos you've just got to display, I recommend professional-grade, archival prints with a luster finish.
5x7
8x12
12x18
16x24
24x36
30
65
125
375
525
Fine Art Prints
For the keepsake photos that you want passed down from one generation to the next, I recommend these fine art, museum-quality prints with a matte finish and a coating used to protect your image against scratches and UV damage.
8x12
12x18
16x24
24x36
175
325
575
775
5x7
75
Custom framed prints
If you want your photos ready to hang upon delivery, consider a beautiful custom framed print. Printed on matte paper and mounted with a premium white mat board for a beautiful bevel appearance, your photos are finished with a ¾ inch black frame, UV blocking acrylic, and acid-free paper backing.
8x12
12x18
16x24
22×30
375
575
825
1275
A printed photograph feels less like content designed to be quickly scrolled through and more like a memory worth being steeped in.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please text or email me.
Text: 360-684-2348
email: rob@robatkinson.photography
In the meantime…
