This session guide is designed to answer some of the bigger questions you might have about your family or personal photo session, including best times and places, and tips on wardrobe for families.

There are plenty of beautiful locations in south Louisiana. Some are right in our backyards and some require travel. You can choose a location from this list, or maybe you have a family farm or property that holds a special meaning to you where you would like to have the session. Additionally, don’t forget the power of an at-home session.

Many locations also require separate fees for entry. Location fees are the responsibility of the client. Here are just a few locations that we can schedule at in the Lafayette area:

Broussard Park and Sports Complex (free)
Downtown Lafayette (free)
Moncus Park (I am a permitted photographer for this location)
UL Alumni Center ($25 location fee)
Circle B Ranch ($35 location fee)
Acadian Village ($40-$80 per hour depending on time)
Jefferson Island ($50 per hour)
Pop-up Studio when available ($50 per hour)

The best time for lighting is actually early morning and late evening. As the days get longer or shorter, this timing changes. In addition to playing to the strengths of the day, I also carry several lights to help illuminate a scene when the light conditions aren’t optimal.

There are just a few things to keep in mind when deciding your wardrobe (1) what makes you comfortable and (2) what isn’t distracting.

Being comfortable allows kiddos to feel more at ease and as a result, usually translates to more relaxed images. For ladies, flowing dresses can also add a beautiful touch of interest to a photograph and really brings depth.

Distracting things like bright, big patterns and logos take away from your and your family’s personality. With photographs, simplicity and timeless pieces work best.

As for colors—think in terms of color palette—neutrals, pastels, or earthen tones. Louisiana outdoors has quite a bit of green. I find that colors which complement, rather than compete with greenery can add subtle interest without overpowering the person. Colors like mustard, denim and oatmeal in the winter and fall work well, as do soft pastels like pink, beige, and cornflower in the spring.

Old Navy, Target, and J Crew Factory often have fun matching outfits for the family. Target’s Cat & Jack line particularly tends to have neutral, unpatterned clothing for boys and girls. Bailey’s Blossoms has lovely dresses for girls.

One method of building out a family wardrobe is to start with one piece and tailor the other outfits around the colors, patterns and textures of that outfit. If you are looking for a “hero” piece to build your wardrobe around, consider checking out the following shops: Joyfolie, Chicwish, Modcloth, Asos, Lulus, Vici , H & M and Baltic Born (one of my favorites for dresses). And I’ve been recently obsessed and surprised by the variety and budget-friendly clothing at Shein for cute dresses and family pieces.

If selecting a patterned hero piece, remember to keep everything else simple.

For maternity, chicaboo offers a great selection as do some of the shops above. Rental dresses are also an option, like Flutter Dress. If you have any wardrobe questions, just ask and I will be happy to help assist in selecting something that photographs beautifully.

Helpful tips: Remove phones and wallets from your pockets prior to the session, and store them safely in your vehicle. Sunglasses or transition lenses are not recommended.

*Complementary colors in pastel and small patterns made this a beautiful family ensemble at the UL Alumni Center*

Grant’s neutrals and seersucker navy looks dapper and also sets him apart from the summertime greems. The small patterns of seersucker and tiny polkadots adds interest, but does not distract from Grant’s cute expression!

Family photographs can be an enjoyable experience. Yes, really!

Toddlers and Littles. When children are younger, capturing them at play is the best method to create a beautiful family memory. So, no “cheese” for the little ones! Instead, bring a favorite toy, a snack, and let them know what’s going on.

Talk, Talk, Talk. Telling your child about a new or different activity prepares them emotionally for a new experience. Before the session, talk about it. Tell them that you are going to take pictures of them because you love them and want to show everyone how wonderful they are.

Encouragement. Supporting your child through positive feedback helps them feel comfortable in front of the camera, and will help produce genuine emotions. So, let them know they are looking great, that they are smiling great (even if maybe they aren’t!) and that they are rocking their session!

Direct and Redirect. During the session, we will play and follow their lead sometimes. We will act out and let them be their silly selves! Letting a child have some autonomy over the session helps them feel comfortable and respected. We will redirect during the session to ensure that we are also capturing some wonderful family moments.

Eyes on Me. When it comes to very young children, like toddlers, you may find your pictures have more of an emotional feel as opposed to a completely posed vibe. That’s ok! That emotion is where your family is right now. Embrace it!