Before Your Photo Session: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The Big Picture

My sessions are relaxed, child-led (even if that child is still in your belly), and rooted in connection. We’re not chasing perfection or stiff smiles. We’re here to document your family as you really are — curious, chaotic, beautiful.

That means we don’t over-plan, we don’t over-pose, and we leave lots of room for play, exploration, and presence.

The tips below will help you feel calm and prepared, without turning this into a production. Because the truth is — if you show up comfortable and present, we’ll make pictures that will forever remind you of this season in your life.

Location & What To Wear

The first decision: indoors or outdoors?

• Outdoors – beautiful natural light and the chance to explore
• In-home – cozy, personal, and rooted in your daily life.

Grounded in real-world experience, I’ve created short, no-fluff guides to help you explore both:

👉 How to Choose Your Outdoor Photo Location
👉 What to Wear for Family & Maternity Photos

How to Prep Your People

Photos feel best when everyone’s on board — but that doesn’t mean they need to love the camera.

For kids:

Talk about it like an adventure, not a photoshoot. Mention that a new friend named David is coming to hang out while you all explore a new space, play a favorite game, or hang out at home tohether. He’s got a cool camera and will take some pictures. That’s it.

When possible, make the session part of a fun day. “Remember how after the beach we’re going to get chocolate croissants and go to the playground?”

For partners:

Not everyone loves being in front of a camera. Here’s what I’ve seen help:

1. Explain that Presence > Performance. “You get to spend uninterrupted time with your family, in a place you love. No phones. Nothing to prove. Just be there.”
   
2. Share a few fun facts about David (me): I used to be a pilot, I grew up in the Virgin Islands, and I’m a Marin dad to a toddler daughter who has much stronger wardrobe opinions than I do.
   
3. Show them photos from a session they can relate to: Click the pictures below!

The Little Things (make it personal)

No matter where your session takes place, it helps to reflect on the little things that make your family your family.

• With kids, think about games you play, songs you sing, or rituals you’ve built into your daily rhythm. They often don’t feel special until you see them in a photo. These moments are gold.
  
• For maternity sessions, spend some time noticing how you connect with your body right now. Where do your hands naturally rest? How does your partner show up in this season?

None of this needs to be staged. But reflecting on these details ahead of time helps us document the things you’ll want to remember most.

Weather and Rescheduling

Bay Area weather is famously unpredictable — but it’s also where the magic often happens. Broken clouds, misty trails, dramatic post-storm light… some of my favorite images have happened just before or after rain.

Here’s how I handle it:

• If rain seems likely the day before (40% or more), I’ll be in touch. We’ll decide whether to wait it out or reschedule — no charge.
• I do not reschedule for fog or wind (unless you purchased Sunshine Insurance). Dramatic conditions create incredible atmosphere, so let’s embrace whatever we find!

I always keep an eye on the forecast and will never leave you guessing.

What to Bring

This mostly applies to outdoor sessions — and even then, you don’t need much. But a few thoughtful items can go a long way.

General packing list:

• Extra layer for each family member (fog or wind rolls in fast)
• Small, mess-free snack for kids (fruit leather > chocolate)
• Small bottle of water
• (Optional) Neutral blanket or towel for sitting
• Tissues or wipes
• Leave room in your bag for lightness — we’ll be moving a lot

For beach sessions, put these in the car:

• Towels
• Change of clothes for kids
• Sandals for wet & sandy feet
• Puffy jacket for post-session warmth

For babies:

• Socks & hat
• Another extra layer or blanket
• A lightweight diaper “go bag”
• Bottle, milk…whatever they need to feed
• Pacifier

👉 Pro tip: If it all fits in one small tote or backpack, I’ll happily carry it for you, which means more photos while we move from place to place!

Preparing Your Home

If you’ve booked an indoor session, you might be wondering how much to prepare. The short answer? Less than you think.

This isn’t about creating an aspirational version of your home — it’s about documenting this moment in your life, as it is.

Here’s how to prep:

• Choose two or three spaces with good natural light (near windows).
• Focus on areas where you spend meaningful time: your bedroom, the nursery, a sunlit kitchen, the couch
• Clear away cords, cups, and clutter — that’s enough
• Water the plants
• Don’t stress about dust or crumbs. They don’t show up in photos.

You want to look back and remember your life, not how long you spent cleaning.

Final Details For Great Photos

A few tiny things that make a big difference:

• Wipe faces right before we start — especially snacky toddlers 😉
• Remove hair ties from wrists
• Consider removing smart watches
• Empty pockets (phones and keys don’t photograph well)