Welcome to the
Portrait Planning Guide
Your step-by-step guide to your portrait session
A step-by-step guide to perfect portraits
Thank you for choosing to work with us. We are so excited to get started on your portrait session.
We want to make this experience helpful and stress-free, so we have created a step-by-step guide to plan your perfect portrait session. Simply follow each step below to get started.
- Select a location
- Pick your style
- Getting ready tips
- Personalize your session
- Submit your session plan
Step One
Select a Location
When selecting a location for your portrait session, consider the season and style of images you want. Beach images during the winter will look very different from beach images during the summer. There is no right or wrong; be mindful of what type of images you want to have.
Outdoor, Nature
Belmont City Park
Heights Graffiti Park
Belmont Art District
Belmont City Center
Urban
Belmont City Park
Heights Graffiti Park
Belmont Art District
Belmont City Center
City
Belmont City Park
Heights Graffiti Park
Belmont Art District
Belmont City Center
Step Two
Select an Outfit
What kind of style fits you? Look for outfits that are similar to these tones and styles.
Elegant
Traditional
Casual
Romantic
Step Three
Getting ready tips
Getting ready for your portrait session doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some simple tips to have a stress-free and fun portrait session.
For Her
Select an outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. When it comes to your portraits, your attitude will reflect greater than your actual outfit. When you feel beautiful and confident in your own skin, the other style details will all fall into place.
So don’t get overly stressed about your outfit selection. Go with your gut and what makes you feel like you! Here are some general tips for getting ready:
Best places to shop for gals:
- H&M
- ASOS
- Rent the Runway
- J. Crew
- Anthropologie
Hair & Makeup (for brides):
If you’re hiring a hair & makeup artist for your wedding then consider doing a trial run for your engagement session. This is a great opportunity to test if you like a specific style of makeup or a preference of hairstyle.
Don’t Forget:
- Clean your ring or jewelry
- Get a manicure or take nail polish completely off
For Him
If you’re like most guys, then you dread taking photos. We challenge you to throw out all your doubts, insecurities, and frustrations toward taking photos because this is NOT your average portrait session. We are a husband & wife team so we know how to make this session fun for the gals AND guys.
If you promise to have an open mind we promise that we will do everything in our power to make you feel comfortable and excited during your portrait session.
Best places to shop for guys:
- H&M
- ASOS
- Rent the Runway
- J.Crew
- Urban Outfitters
Don’t Forget:
- Bring your ring
- Trim your beard or facial hair
- Relax, just be yourself
Step Four
Personalize Your Session
Personalizing your session is how you make your images feel unique to you. We welcome and encourage you to bring items and props that feel like you. If you’re not sure what to bring just ask, we can provide some ideas.
Pets & furry friends
Do you have a furry pet that feels like family? Feel free to bring your pets along to your portrait session.
Please note: some locations work better for pets. Please notify us that you will bring your animal so we can pick an appropriate session location.
Blankets & comfort items
Are you the snuggle up and get cozy type? Bring your favorite blankets and comfort items with you. Cuddling up next to each other with your favorite items will put you both at ease and make for some amazing photos.
Props
Let the sparks fly! Consider bringing fun props to your portrait session. Sparklers, bubbles, ice cream…whatever your ideas are we welcome them!
Let us know what your prop ideas are so that I can prepare a plan to photograph them.
Step Five
Submit your session plan
Please take a moment to tell us about your portrait session plan. Within 24 hours of submitting your session plan, we will reach out via email to confirm your session plan and location details. We are so excited to connect with you very soon!
