BEFORE YOUR SESSION
My number one tip: Be present in the moment. No matter where your session is or what season I am photographing in life!
- I know photos can feel intimidating, but years from now you will want to remember a time you were enjoying the moments. There is no need to perform or for perfection! I want you to let go of that idea. No matter the purpose of your session, I want to make it fun and to tell your story well.
- No matter if you're nervous, you're worried the kids will be wild, the baby will cry, or maybe historically photos are't your favorite. IT IS OKAY! I am here to document your life through my artistic eye. While I am not looking for perfection or performance, I am hoping for a lil creative partnership. That happens through being open to having fun. Be willing to let yourself just "be" for a little, when in doubt- love your people or to let yourself be free for a moment!
- Don't be afraid you are looking silly, I will never leave you looking awkward and will guide you! Some moments turn more documentary as we work through our session beautiful moments naturally unfold, and sometimes you may need a little more guidance. That is okay! I know when to step in and step back. My artistic practice is collaboration with you and working with you any how you are feeling during our session. All I ask is for a willingness to lean into the moment, we got this!
- Have realistic expectations, but also don't ever be afraid to communicate! I am here for ya! Time, location, weather, outfits and personalities will determine a lot of the feel of the session (Psst. there is an outfit guide link at the bottom of this page + a quick tips page below too)
- I am not thinking of social media when taking your photos, I am thinking of you now, and you 10 years from now. These are your memories! I am not here for likes on my social media or for trends, or pinterest copies of photos, but your legacy.
- If children are going to be present I suggest telling them something like: we are going to have fun while Tori takes our photos! I am never phased either by wild or cranky kids. I welcome them however they are feeling, I get it. I am a mom too and I have a big family. Feelings, moods, they are all welcome here. I want to do everything I can to make our photo session feel safe and fun for everyone and will work with each person and child on their level and I operate in a way that follows the lead of the kids and lets the session be more relaxed and fun. If the kids aren't loving the moment at our session, just love them in the moment. Don't worry about them always looking, if it is needed I will get their attention. If you are tense, they probably will be too, if you are open to having fun, they probably will be too!
- My style is candid based, I focus on interaction, feeling, connection, movement, and light! I will gently pose you with prompts and make sure you are represented well always too though. I will get a few of those lovely smiling shots of course too if you fancy, but please know that my sessions are not entirely posed and cheesin, more loose but fun and very dependent on each individual sessions needs.
- Most sessions tell a story! No matter the story we are telling. If you are a soon to be grad, professional or having a session celebrating the wonderful you, it's your child's birthday or your puppy's first outing, you've been together 25 years or are just dating, your a big blended family, or just starting out, old or young, confident or a little shy, I will do my best to help you feel comfortable no matter the purpose of our session.
NOW SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR MINI
- These sessions specifically will be in front of either a cream linen, or dusty blue linen backdrop if indoor, and a cream linen backdrop outdoor! I hope for the sessions to be light and playful.
- special note for inside please bring other shoes than the shoes you wear to keep the floor and paper extra clean :) I do leave enough time for disinfecting and tidying for each session. + The space where photos will be held will be in my small studio, best for 1-5 people but can accommodate up to 7. Please remember the space is smaller
- Your session time will be up to 15 minutes, so arriving on time is important so that we can use the full amount of the session!
- Galleries are delivered via link through Pixieset with full download instructions and access to purchase prints from my print lab!
- Photos taken during your session may be used on Share More Studios web/print platforms, but if you prefer your photos not be shared, let me know in advance, no problem!
- All photos in the gallery are final, and you get them all! At least 15+ of color photos with black and white copies! Any wish for additional photos/edits beyond the delivered gallery will be an extra fee per photo.
- You may use your photos on social media platforms, but I kindly ask, do not screenshot photos from gallery, put filters over top of images, or crop/edit your images drastically from your gallery. This represents a false quality of my work.
- As always be sure to download your photos. Galleries are only posted for one year.
- *Most importantly! I want to capture memories that make you feel, that tell part of your story and that you cherish forever! I am so beyond thankful for this opportunity to work with you!
ABOUT THE LOCATiON
Added details
INDOOR: All indoor sessions will have a cream or blue linen backdrop
+ Plan to bring other shoes than your street shoes so we don't get the floor dirty
+ The address will be shared prior to session
+ Currently this space is not wheel chair accessible, however, if you need special accommodations please reach out
OUTSIDE: A location set in Philipsburg will be shared prior to your session. It will be set around sunset with flowing linen and a floor floral arrangement!
So now what?
Let's go over how to rock your session, a quick talk on outfits! Below are outfit and session tips!
Let's Talk Outfits!
+ what you wear will depend largely on "feel" you are going for!
+ I am not in the business of "telling" you what to wear, I want you to feel like YOU, I want these memories to be something YOU cherish!
HOWEVER, the patterns you wear can change the overall look and feel of your session!
+ BUT First, Choose something you feel comfortable and confident in!
+ If for a family shoot, Sometimes choosing one persons outfit and building from there helps. Usually, I recommend choosing an outfit for the most difficult to dress person first (I am the most difficult in my family!)
+ Choose patterns or just colors you love! When you feel good in your outfit it translates into the photo!
+ Mix and match! have some in patterns and some in solid colors if you want!! Mix checkers, with solids and even stripes. do all neutrals or mix and match fun colors!
+let me make a mood board for you if you would like!!
+ think of what “feel” you want with your session, moody? Fun? Calm? Lightness or dark colors and patterns help with that!
+I am always here for more personalized help!
S0me Things to steer away from
+graphic tees or large logos on shirts (though sometimes needed for the feel of the session etc like cool band tees and denim you know! )
+Something that could distort in your camera like extremely small patterns (super tiny polka dots close together, tiny lines or fabric with super tiny ribbed fabric that can distort in the camera but this is more rare just a heads up!
+clothing that is restrictive or makes you feel not confident, unable to move, or too tight etc.
+everyone wearing EXACT the same color or pattern (but there is certainly exceptions to this, like all neutrals is always pretty, but if you all wear the same completely red buffalo check jumpsuit we may need to get creative to break that up in the photo ya know?!)
Some Outfit Inspiration + Example work below
Use the arrows to look at some outfit inspo and examples of outfits! Some are in my studio some are not (these are just A FEW examples with various locations and backdrops and backdrop colors, across multiple years so my work has adjusted over time, but to get some ideas and a feel for my work and some outfit inspo!
Still not sure?
I am always here! You can email me photos of options and I can help you put them together or find the right items or you can always text me at 814.553.8529
Annnnd also here is a few in color for when you have difficulty thinking of outfits in black and white!
A FEW REMINDERS + Tips for your Session
+ Remember, let the moments happen, its okay to be silly and yourselves! I got you. Assume you're doing great, I will direct you when needed!
+ If children aren't looking just love on them more and let me get the moment!
+Don't be afraid to laugh and be in the moment
+ I want you to have fun!! These photos should be about making memories too, lets do that together
+ Let me know if you had any must haves hopes for photos, you maybe forgot to mention.
+ Be yourself, these are your memories! If you are trying to be someone else, that translates in the photos. You, just as you are, that is what I want to capture, you are worthy of having your picture taken and I want to convince you of that!
.+ Alrighty, now take a big breathe in, exhale, and lets have fun!
