Welcome Guide
About Me
When we work together, it’s about more than just the photographs — it’s about preserving the heart of your story. You’ll feel the connection, the emotion, and the warmth in every frame. Twenty years from now, I hope these images take you right back to the way it felt — not just how it looked. With a thoughtful balance of beauty and meaning, I’ll guide you through a session that lets you slow down, soak it in, and truly savor the moment. It’s a gentle, intentional process — and one I’m honored to share with you.
Before Your Session
Let's set your family up for a magical experience! A little preparation goes a long way in setting the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable session — especially for kids! Giving them a fun, low-pressure heads-up about what’s coming can help them feel more comfortable and excited.
Talk about the session in a way that makes it feel like an adventure rather than something formal. Let them know we’ll be playing, exploring, and spending time together as a family — no stiff poses or forced smiles required! For little ones, keeping things light and positive helps ease nerves.
It also helps to avoid surprises. If kids know what to expect, they’re more likely to settle in quickly and enjoy the experience. And remember — there’s no pressure for them to behave a certain way! The goal is to capture who they are in this season of life, just as they are.
Planning for an outdoor session
The location of your session sets the tone for your photos, so it’s important to choose a place that feels right for your family. Think about what feels most you — do you love the idea of exploring the outdoors, playing by the water, or simply relaxing at home? Sessions that incorporate places and activities your family naturally enjoys tend to feel the most effortless and fun.
If you're unsure where to go, don’t worry! As we get closer to your session date, I’ll send over a location guide to help you decide. Whether it’s a scenic overlook, an open field, or your own backyard, we’ll find the perfect spot.
Pro Tip:
Pick a location your kids will love. When they feel comfortable and engaged with their surroundings, their natural energy and personalities shine through—leading to the most genuine, joy-filled photos.
Planning for an in-home session
If you're leaning toward a cozy, in-home session, here are a few magical tips:
Light is Everything: Your home is the heart of the story, and light helps bring it to life! While many homes have beautiful natural light between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., sometimes the most magical light appears closer to sunrise or sunset. These times of day can create unique effects like soft shadows, dreamy sun flares, or dappled patterns that add a creative touch to your photos.
This might also be the perfect time to sneak outside and draw with chalk, pick veggies from the garden, or have a mini picnic or talent show on the trampoline. It’s all about capturing the essence of home — the big and small moments that make it yours.
If you can, take note of how the light moves through your favorite spaces and snap a few photos to share with me. Don’t worry if your home isn’t flooded with sunlight all day — I love working with the light available to create something truly special and unique to your family.
Invite your kids to take the lead: Letting your kids show me around your home can make a big difference! Whether they’re introducing me to their favorite toys, cozy reading nook, or epic playroom, this little bit of control helps them feel comfortable and excited. My goal is to embrace the chaos and let their individual personalities shine — you’ll see, it’s where the magic happens!
Snack time at your home session: Typically, I don’t encourage snacks during family photos, but in an in-home session, snacks are part of the magic! I love carving out time for a snack break — it adds to the story and keeps the essence of home alive. Whether it’s making messy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches together, setting up a small charcuterie board, or sneaking a treat fresh out of the pantry, these moments bring so much personality and connection to your session.
Plus, snack time is a perfect way to capture those little, everyday interactions — tiny hands spreading peanut butter, big smiles over shared bites, or giggles as crumbs tumble to the floor. It’s all part of celebrating the joy and chaos of family life.
Session Preparation Checklist
AFTER YOU'VE BOOKED YOUR SESSION:
Book Appointments: Schedule any necessary haircuts, hair/makeup, and nail appointments.
Pick a Color Scheme: Choose a cohesive color palette to make outfit planning easier.
Shop Early: Select and purchase outfits at least 2 weeks prior to your session date.
Try Everything On: Ensure outfits fit properly and leave time for exchanges or alterations if needed.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SESSION:
Stay organized by gathering everything you’ll need and place it in the car! Use a laundry basket to keep it all in one place.
- Clothing Essentials
- Family outfits, including shoes and socks
- Tights/diaper covers (if needed)
- Backup outfit for baby (just in case)
- Iron/steam outfits and wrinkle release spray if necessary
Hair and makeup
- Spray bottle
- Hairspray or hair paste/gel
- Hairbrush and any hair accessories
- Makeup touchup kit
Extras
- Blanket that coordinates with your outfits (not necessary)
- Lint roller (especially if bringing a furry friend!)
- Baby wipes and diapers
- Water bottles
THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION
This day should feel happy and relaxed. Avoid last-minute errands or stress — let’s keep the vibes easygoing!
Adjust Naps: Shift nap schedules to keep little ones rested and content.
Feed Your Family: Serve a full meal before the session to ensure everyone is energized and happy.
Arrive Early: Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early to allow time for last-minute changes and getting ready.
FINAL DETAILS
- Remove any hair ties, watches, or accessories you don’t want in photos.
- Take a deep breath—this is your moment to connect and have fun!
During Your Session
My posing style is candid and full of emotive connection. While I’ll guide you with prompts and ideas, I want to give you the space and comfort to be yourselves. The best moments happen when you let go, embrace the chaos (because there will be chaos), and remind yourself that chaos is beautiful — it’s the heart of real family life.
KEEP MOVING
The number one tip I can give you? NEVER. STOP. MOVING. Movement allows you to settle into your natural selves and helps your kids feel more at ease. Whether it’s twirling, walking, or even chasing your little ones, movement lets me capture your family in ways that feel true and meaningful. This approach is especially perfect for children because they’ll often forget they’re being photographed!
Trust your instincts and lean into the moments that feel natural — whether it’s pulling your child in for a hug, tickling tiny toes, or breaking into a spontaneous dance. Some of the most heartfelt and genuine photos happen when you let go and embrace what feels right in the moment.
LET'S HAVE FUN
Your session is meant to be fun, lighthearted, and true to your family. I’ll be right there, jumping in to keep things playful and engaging — whether that means cracking jokes, being silly, or rolling with whatever energy your kids bring. Expect a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and moments that feel real.
The best photos aren’t about perfection — they’re about connection. Some moments will be wild, some will be quiet, and not every shot will be flawless. But the ones that truly matter? They’ll be the ones that reflect your family as you are — genuine, imperfect, and beautifully real.
SNACKS AND BRIBES
Snacks are totally fine, but I usually recommend saving them for after the session. Mid-session snack breaks can get messy and sometimes pull kids out of the moment. Instead, I love using play as motivation!
For example:
- "If we do this, Mom can spin you in circles!"
- "If we do this, Dad will try to hold all the kids at once!"
Encouraging playful challenges and activities they don’t normally do at home keeps kids engaged, sparks genuine laughter, and creates memories that feel as fun as they look.
PARENT TIPS
During the session, think of me as your extra set of hands and a calming guide for your family. Your focus should be on enjoying each other and staying happy and calm — even when things feel chaotic (because let’s be honest, chaos is part of the fun).
I’ll take the lead on keeping the kids entertained and engaged. I’ll guide them with playful prompts, silly jokes, and a little imaginative fun to hold their attention. My goal is to help prevent meltdowns, redirect any frustration, and capture genuine smiles and interactions.
As parents, the best thing you can do is focus on connecting with each other and your kids. Let me worry about capturing the smiles, attention, and everything in between. Remember, there’s no judgment here — ever. I’ve seen it all and welcome every bit of energy, personality, and unpredictability your family brings. Trust in the process, and together we’ll create something truly magical.
After Your Session
The magic doesn’t stop once our session ends! Here’s what you can expect next:
- Sneak Peek: Within 24 hours of your session, you’ll receive a sneak peek preview to get a glimpse of the moments we captured.
- Gallery Delivery: Within 14 days, you’ll receive an email with a link to your high-resolution, downloadable gallery, ready for you to enjoy and share!
- Share Your Experience: A few days after receiving your gallery, you’ll get a follow-up email with a link to leave a Google review. If you enjoyed your session and experience, your feedback means so much to me and helps other families know what to expect!
Thank you for trusting me to capture your family’s unique story. I can’t wait for you to see the magic we created together!
FAQ
WHAT TIME WILL OUR SESSION TAKE PLACE?
Session times are carefully planned for the best lighting. Most sessions are scheduled an hour after sunrise or about two hours before sunset to create that beautiful, soft glow.
WHEN DO WE SELECT OUR SESSION LOCATION?
I typically finalize the location no later than 2 weeks before your session. Most of my go-to locations work beautifully with the color schemes in the Style Guide, making it easy to coordinate your outfits.
HOW MANY IMAGES CAN WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE?
I believe in quality over quantity. You can expect to receive 30+ fully edited images in your online digital gallery, carefully selected to reflect the best moments from your session.
HOW LONG WILL BE ONLINE GALLERY BE AVAILABLE?
Your gallery will be available online for up to three months. After that, I clear storage space for new sessions. I strongly recommend downloading your gallery as soon as possible and backing up your photos to a thumb drive, external hard drive, and cloud storage to keep them safe for years to come.
Get in Touch
If there’s anything else I can do to assist you beyond this guide, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help with anything you need to make your family session a success.
The best way to contact me is by email, unless we’ve discussed texting as an option. In the meantime, happy family session planning — I can’t wait to work with you and your family!
434-841-1022 // wildfleurphotos@gmail.com // www.wildfleurphotography.com
Talk soon!
Xo, Courtney