Tree Farm Mini Session Prep Guide
Your Tree Farm Mini Session with Apple of My Eye Photography & Design is just around the corner, so now is a good time to think about how to prepare. I’ve put together some key pieces of information that will help guide you in the days leading up to our session!
Location: We are going to be doing sessions at two different locations this fall
If your session is on 11/14 your session will be at:
Gaver Farm, Mt. Airy MD
If your session is on 11/15, 11/18, 11/22, 12/2 your session will be at:
Greenway Tree Farm in Cooksville MD
*You will drive down a long driveway and come to an area that has 2 houses and a few greenhouses to the right, park there and walk past the green houses to the right down a path with a sign that says Santa's forrest, go through the gate at the end and into the field**
Clothing
Please plan your outfits in advance and make sure they fit and are comfortable and attractive. While it’s important that every member of the family coordinates with each other, this doesn’t mean you need to be matchy-matchy (everyone in khakis and a white shirt, for example). I recommend choosing one clothing item that has a print of some kind (florals, stripes, plaid, etc.), then planning other outfits around it. Good neutral color choices are- creams, grays, tans, light pinks, dark blues, and other “autumn colors”. Pops of color are good, but I would avoid lots of bright colors like red, green and yellow, as they can cast color onto skin and tend not to be flattering.
Competing patterns and multiple “busy” prints, along with t-shirts with big logos, images, and/or words on it is also discouraged. Keep your wardrobe choices simple, so that they don’t take away from the moment!
If you need some help getting started, here is a Pinterest board I put together with some good examples of coordinated outfits–
Other things to consider–
I sometimes pose families sitting on the ground, therefore, if Mom/daughters will be wearing a dress or a skirt, make sure they will be comfortable doing so and that proper undergarments are worn
It is fall and thus there is often dew on the grass, please take this into consideration when planning footwear, boots or heels with a skinny heel may sink into the ground, and shoes may get a bit wet.
I take formal portrait shots, but also like to catch candids of kids being kids. If you are overly concerned about your child ruining an expensive piece of clothing, it might be best to choose a different item.
Worn down, dirty and/or scuffed up shoes can draw your attention in a photo, so don’t leave footwear as an afterthought. I often hear, “I wish I wouldn’t have let my husband/son wear his gym shoes in the photos!”
Please take keys & phones out of your pockets before we begin!
Hair, Make-up, Nails & Skin
I recommend getting haircuts at least a week in advance of your session, so there aren’t any last-minute surprises! Moms and older daughters are encouraged to wear slightly more make-up the day of their photo session than they normally do, but no need to go crazy. Nails can be another distractor in photos, so be sure chipped nail polish is removed and kids have their nails trimmed and free of dirt.
If your child has a bruise, a pimple, skinned knees– do not worry! That is something that comes with the territory and we can make sure they are not visible in your final images. I do ask for you help in removing any stamps and/or temporary tattoos that your child may have on their bodies.
Glasses
Light reflected in eyeglass lenses can create white spots and glare, leading to extra retouching charges. And tinted lenses cannot be lightened. I generally try to pose families so their backs are to the sun, but I just like to share this info as an FYI.
Eat
Be sure to feed yourself and your children before the session, but NOT in the car on the way! Hungry kids make for miserable models, but you do not want to be cleaning up faces and clothes in the parking lot. Eating about an hour before the session ensures full bellies and enough time to brush teeth and wash faces & hands.
Give Yourself Time
This one is especially for the Moms. We are always running around taking care of everyone else but often leave little or no time to take care of ourselves. Give yourself the opportunity to LOVE the way you look in the photos by allowing enough time to get yourself ready. Wearing a new item like jewelry or a scarf can help it feel like a special occasion for you!
Take the Pressure Off
Telling your children how important the photos are, or how they need to smile or act a certain way, causes a lot of unnecessary stress on little ones. Believe it or not, family photo sessions are meant to be fun! Set them up for success by making it as casual as possible, and just encourage them to be their (best) natural selves. I often bring some small, stain-free treats to coax young kids who need a little encouragement, so try to leave the bribery up to me!
No Cheese, Please!
Saying the word “cheese” actually creates a very fake smile, so I ask that you do not encourage your child to say it. I will “perform” and sometimes do some crazy things behind the camera to get authentic smiles & genuine laughter out of your kids, so just leave the direction to me! Nothing is worse than getting great smiles out of the kids but have Moms & Dads with open mouths from talking
Last, but not least…
Be in the moment and don’t stress about the end result. We will get some beautiful photos, you do not need to worry. You will be more emotionally attached to the images if you have FUN while taking them. If you are worried about how your children are smiling, or if Dad is irritated (some are, and it’s ok!), then you will think of that every time you look at your photos. Relax, enjoy the time spent with your family, and I will catch some amazing moments for you that you can cherish forever!
***Mini Sessions move very quickly, please be sure that your kids are well rested and have had a snack (or bring one with you), we do also suggest bringing small bribes. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early so that everyone is ready to go at your scheduled time. Missed appointments will be subject to a $50 fee to reschedule or squeeze in the session, paid before services are preformed. In order to guarantee the client 15-20 images, the photographer must complete her typical workflow before attempting any special requests from the client. The completions of all special requests are left to the discretion of the photographer.
***No cell phone cameras or any other cameras/recording devices may be used during your session
If you have any questions about anything written above, or just about the session in general, please do not hesitate to ask. I look forward to working with you soon!
Our phone number, should you need it is: 301-312-7392
Covid Information
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO APPLE OF MY EYE PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
*Social distancing. 6ft apart at all times. {this is tricky with the younger kids, and I understand which is why I am also doing the below}
*I will be booking outdoor sessions only with spacing between each session.
*We will choose more remote less busy locations for all our sessions
*Hand sanitizer should be brought by each family
*Sessions will be postponed if anyone including myself are displaying COVID-19 symptoms {including any fevers}, are waiting for test results, or who has been around someone that has been tested but not confirmed. This is a strict policy that will and must be enforced.
*I will wear a mask throughout the entire session
*I will clean my gear before and after each session
*I will wipe down any props used during a prior session to the best of my ability