I am so excited to be photographing your child(ren), and this preparation guide is designed to help you know exactly what to expect throughout the entire process. It will serve as a reference for any questions prior to your session. 

For anything not included here, please contact us by email or voice message, and we will get back with you promptly.

Email: hello@studiovillada.com 

Hello & Welcome!

Our Style

What we do here is straightforward and simple. Our style is to let kids be kids, and at the same time, set them up for success! 

This guide is intended to help you make preparations, adjustments, and put thought into the processes before-hand in order to create the best outcomes possible on the day of your child’s photoshoot.

Below are some details to help you achieve the vision you have in mind. Depending on the type of look you are wanting to achieve, we offer a variety of styles according to lighting and backdrop that you can see below to choose what you like best or decide on attempting a combination of them all.

Bright and Clean

With a white background that is either backlit or not, this style is modern and bright. A light background creates a high-energy, happy, and distraction-free scene with great focus on expression.

Dark and Dramatic

Black backgrounds offer contrast and detail to grab attention. This style is highly versatile and visually pleasing to the eye. Even making a funny face will evoke big emotion with this moody aesthetic.

Classic Portrait

By using a textured canvas background, we can create a more classic portrait style. We can also add texture to any of our more modern approaches by incorporating flowers, fabrics, or bubbles. 

Outdoor Portraits

When working outdoors, we have found it best to use natural settings without the distraction of playground equipment. The texture of trees and other flora creates an organic background that allows more focus on the kids. That being said, some families do at times request treasured playgrounds to be part of a keepsake collection.

• Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to arrange an outdoor session as we have different schedules and equipment for these appointments.

• Also keep in mind that we do not reschedule in the case of weather (unless dangerous or excessive). In the case of rain, drizzle, etc., come prepared with rain boots, umbrellas, and coats. These events make the most unique sessions!

Wardrobe

We recommend avoiding busy patterns or patterns that may get dated in time. All photos are black and white, therefore different colors of solids will create variations of grey meaning whites/pastels will be lightest, blacks/navys/charcoals will be darkest, and reds/greens/blues/yellows/pinks all falling into the middle-grey spectrum depending on their own shades/tints.

  • We suggest the following pre-prepared wardrobe pieces/ensembles to bring from home:

    • Jeans, jean shorts, denim overalls

    • White solid shirts either tees or button ups

    • Black solid shirts either tees or button ups

    • Solid jumpsuits/simple dresses, solid cotton basics

    • Capping the look off with bare feet is modern yet timeless, however, shoes for this look tend to have clean lines, hidden logos, or are iconic choices such as old-school sneakers such as Converse, Vans, or a pair of sandals.

  • We suggest the following:

    • Boy’s formal attire such as bow ties, suspenders, dinner jackets, belts, slacks, neck ties, vests, blazer sets, belt buckles, cultural dress, etc.

    • Girl’s formal attire such as tulle dresses, fancy tops, skirts, dance wear, special occasion dresses, cultural dress, etc.

    • Shoes, boots, sandals, slippers and matching shade/tint of sock color, again, sometimes a formal look can become intensionally playful with bare feet if that is the vision.

  • t’s important to keep in mind that sometimes things such as hair bows, barrettes, and other elements that we often see in children’s photography can take away from the beauty & simplicity of an expression or overall image. On the other hand, for some clients, these are elements that we want to remember about childhood. Our style tends to avoid accessories, but we never want to omit something that feels precious to you. Follow your instinct, and we are happy to give recommendations on how something may photograph.

  • We carry an assortment of fabrics, blankets, and floral elements which create a portrait that feels more artistic in nature if requested ahead of time.

What to Expect

Two Weeks Before…

If your child usually takes time to warm up to new people or if you have questions and want to schedule a call, we recommend that you book this at least two weeks prior in order to find availability. 

One Week Before…

We recommend applying sunscreen or avoiding extended sun exposure in order to avoid sun-burn, peeling, or even subtle tan lines which can sometimes be noticeable if an outfit choice will expose a neck line, shoulders, etc. 

A Few Days Before…

Staying fully hydrated is recommended in the days prior to the photoshoot for some kids that tend to be more prone to chapped lips. 

The Day Before…

The day before your child’s session is the best time to give finger nail trims and to moisturize elbows, knees, and chapped lips if needed.. 

• Set reminders and prepare early so that you are on-time. The session takes 15-20 mins, and we leave a 10-15 minute buffer for greeting, last-minute prep, and warm up. It goes by swiftly, and any minutes past arrival time take from the session. We keep a tight schedule, so please plan to arrive as prepared as possible and on time.

• Working around naps as best possible or planning for possible emotions from events that took place at school.

• Planning to have a walk/run to get a few wiggles out prior to the session can help for some.

• Checking teeth, wiping face, applying chapstick, moisturizer, etc.

• We keep low-sodium / low-sugar snacks at the studio, but please feel free to bring favorites from home as needed.

• Packing small toys and gizmos to comfort after the photoshoot OR if there is a particular item that is very special that you want in the photo, we like to reserve these shots for the end, unless you don’t mind the item being in every photograph, if for any reason your child does not want to put it away. :) 

• Arriving with an open mind. After everything is prepped for them and we have done our best, –now it’s time to see what unfolds. As we parents already know, kids are kids…with their giggles, their pouts and big emotions. Each expression, jump, and twisty-turn is what reminds us of their amazing and raw beauty. 

On The Day of Your Session

Once at the Studio…

Please arrive with children as best groomed as possible as time is of essence in terms of how much can be accomplished depending on mood, hunger levels, and energy which varies for each child. Use your best judgement, and we are here to help in any way that we can. 

  • Children’s hair and makeup is not offered (unless requested), so it’s important to consider final hair adjustments, wiping face, chapstick or moisturizer application, buttoning shirts, ironing clothes, stying shoe laces, etc. how you want them to be in the photos. Once these finalities are to your liking, we help in trying to maintain the look throughout the photoshoot

  • Our space is small and we have a lot of equipment so we ask that you do not bring anyone other than the people being photographed to the session. If you have someone that you want to bring for help/support, we kindly ask that your total number is limited to two adults and kids being photographed, and please no photos or videos in the studio.

  • Siblings are welcomed. We are not a family photographer, therefore, the photoshoot is meant as an individual portrait session and we welcome a sibling, however, please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee results for multiples. If children are younger, please make plans to have one parent/adult per 2 kids at all times for supervision.

  • We have a strict studio privacy policy that no photos, videos, or recording of any kind on smart phone or any other device is allowed during the entire session. That being said, we can take a few snaps and a short video (if requested) of your kids on set and send them directly to your phone. Thank you for understanding.

We are very much looking forward to your session & please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions!

hello@studiovillada.com   •    www.studiovillada.com