Fun sized session faqs
Q: What should my child wear to his or her photography session?
A: If I had a quarter for every time I’ve been asked this question…
But there’s a reason people ask it so often. Clothing does matter for quality of portrait photography, and most people do not feel confident about making their own selections. I totally get that! It’s the same reason I have asked my spouse to select my own clothing for family photos for the majority of my adult life.
So to ease the stress, here are some pointers, tips, and no-nos in regards to picking clothing for your child’s photo session.
Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first…If you read the next bullet points and no further, I promise your child’s clothing will be totally fine. These are my absolutely crucial rules when it comes to dressing your child:
1. Avoid neon or bright colors, such as electric blue, neon pink/orange/green. These colors are “bouncy”, meaning light from the camera flash can reflect the color onto your child’s skin. This bounced light can be the absolute toughest thing to edit out in Photoshop, so don’t make this mistake!
2. Do not dress your child in clothing that bunches up around their neck or face when seated. You don’t want your child’s features to be blocked by stiff clothing! I generally find that relaxed, softer fabrics don’t have this issue. I also usually suggest avoiding high collars/ruffles.
3. Iron and lint-roll your child’s clothing. This is the easiest way to make sure that your child looks well put-together for their session, and it actually allows me to deliver your gallery more quickly (less time to edit out wrinkles and lint). I also suggest avoiding cheap polo shirts with have collars that don’t lay correctly after being washed.
4. Pants and shoes matter too! If you’ve seen my work, you know that I take shots that show children from head to toe. If you don’t want your kid’s dirty Crocs in their photos, consider some nice clean shoes or stylish sneakers.
Ok, now that those are out of the way, here are some additional suggestions:
Don’t overcomplicate it. Simple, muted colors are a great look, and I find that crazy colors or patterns can draw the eye away from the important features of your child.
Not every child looks great in the same colors, and it’s all related to undertone and skin tone. The internet is a great resource for getting this right. Here is my favorite guide for dressing your child for their skin tones.
Casual looks are my favorite. You can’t go wrong with a neutral tee, jeans, and pair of cool sneakers. This option is timeless and takes the stress out of the whole thing.
Bows and headbands are okay. I will say that the fabrics on these items can reflect light in crazy ways, always making the bow/headband look lighter in color than it actually is. White bow fabric tends to almost always wash out into the white backdrop (white shirts/dresses/pants do not have this problem).
That’s about it, friend! If you’re still stuck on what your child should wear, one of the best things you can do is take a scroll on my Instagram feed or website.
Q: How should I prepare my child on photo day?
A: Tell them they’re going to meet a new friend! The word “friend” is a disarming word to kids, and it’s exactly what I’m trying to be when I meet your child. I love to have fun, sing songs, tell jokes, and ask questions that catch them off-guard! You know, all the things a friend would do!
You can help me out on photo day by wiping boogers and using lotion on any dry skin. I’ll give a final look before we begin, but it’s best to take care of this beforehand.
Q: How long does a session take?
A: That depends! For kids who are engaged with the camera, some sessions are finished in as few as 5-10 minutes. I generally allot 15 minutes for each child, with a 5 minute buffer between sessions. I’ve only had one or two sessions that have gone into that buffer time.
Q: What is the youngest age that my child can have his or her first photography session? Do you shoot teens? Adults?
A: I don’t really set a minimum age, however your child must be able to hold up his or her head independently. Typically, most babies conquer this skill by 4 or 5 months of age. For babies who require sitting/spine support, the photos are taken while the child is seated in your lap. I’ll show you the technique for getting you out of the shot for those clean white backgrounds!
And there is no age limit! I’ve done a Fun Sized Session for an adult couple in their 80s!
Q: My child is pretty shy around strangers. Is that okay?
A: I accept your challenge! I’m a dad of three, and I served for multiple years in a children’s classroom at my church. I’ve got a TON of experience getting giggles, confused looks, and sweet faces out of kiddos. And I’ve seen my fair share of shy ones too! Most of the time, it’s just taking a pause and finding that one thing that your child connects with. Need extra reassurance? Check out my Google reviews here! Most of them discuss how I was able to put a shy child at ease or make a perfect connection with a child who doesn’t love being photographed.
Q: Will you perform shots of my children together?
A: Of course! However, I offer no guarantees for sibling shots. You know firsthand how difficult it can be to get multiple kids stationary for a photo. I do everything I can to make it happen (and I haven’t had a session yet where I wasn’t able to get a shot or two), but no guarantees.
Q: Can my child bring their stuffed animal or toys?
A: I don’t recommend this. For some kids, these things are a sense of safety or ownership. It can be difficult to remove the item from your child when ready for photos, and sometimes separating them will cause tears. It’s best to leave these things at home. And I’d even suggest not bringing them in the car for the drive to your session.
Q: Do you have any tips for me as a parent on photo day?
A: Ohhhhh yeah I do! Here are my top tips for photo day:
Be in good spirits! Photo day is the most important day to make sure you’re being a fun parent. Kids don’t like being bossed around or scolded, and sometimes these actions can have the opposite effect than we want. Your child may walk away from the set or not give you the faces you want. Don’t stress! We’ll take our time and let him or her feel comfortable in the space. Then, we’ll get the shots we need!
Let me do my job! A child can often feel overwhelmed if he or she simultaneously has two or three adults telling/asking him or her to do something. Just sit back and leave it to me! Sometimes, I’ll call you in for help. I promise I’ll let you know if you’re needed.
Q: How long does it take to receive my images?
A: I typically turn around proofs within a week or two of your session, however this timeline gets longer during busy seasons. After you select the images that are included with your session, I’m usually able to get the final images back to you within a day or two.
Q: What’s your favorite candy?
A: This isn’t actually a frequently asked question. I’m just hoping that one of you will read this far and bring me some Sour Patch Kids to our session!
That's about it. If you think of something I should add to this list, let me know!
I know you've got questions about your child's Fun Sized Session. For most families, this is the very first time their child (and usually the parent) has been in a studio photography setting. Don't worry, you've come to the right place. Here are some answers to my most frequently asked questions. And if there's something I haven't covered here, please always feel free to reach out. My email address is hello@brentkeephotography.com, and my cell # is 615-512-9704. Feel free to message or text me any time.
