Client Guide
Welcome! Thank you for choosing me to photograph you and your family. I am honoured I will be able to capture some special moments for you to cherish in the years to come.
Whether you have done a photo session in the past or it is your first one, I would like you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy the experience. These guidelines will hopefully help you with decisions around your session and answer any questions that you may have. If you still have questions after reading this, contact me at hello@alinaclark.com.
My style
My style of photography is natural and relaxed, and I aim to capture your genuine heartfelt moments that are not scripted. Sometimes I suggest you arrange a fun activity for your family to do during a session – which helps to keep them happy and cooperative! Other times we just let the day unfold organically and I photograph your daily routines. While I will definitely take portraits of you and your family, I don’t pose my clients or ask them to do things they wouldn’t normally do. It really is about me documenting this current stage in your life and capturing some beautiful moments with your loved ones.
Time and location
A photo session is normally done at your home where you and your family will feel most comfortable and at ease. You could also choose a different location that is significant to you and your family – for example your favourite park. I only use natural light to photograph, so I will aim to have all the lights off in the area where I am taking photos. For this same reason I normally look for bright areas in your home near large windows which will provide good light. If your house décor is dark – darker wood, dark wallpaper or wall paint – this is even more important as there won’t be much light reflected back inside the house. Most of the time the master bedroom is a good location for the majority of the photos as the whole family can sit together on the bed.
A photo session can be scheduled at any time of the day while there is still sufficient natural light streaming in. In the winter months when days are shorter, especially on a rainy day, it is preferable to schedule the session in the middle of the day rather than early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as there may not be enough natural light available to achieve good photos. Anytime between 10am and 3pm (or 6pm in the summer) would be a good time.
Prepare for your session
Preparing for a photography session, especially when you have kids or a new baby to take care of, can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. You are probably wondering what clothes to chose for yourself and other family members and how to get everyone to cooperate. I find that planning ahead significantly reduces the stress and with a little bit of organisation, you and your family will hopefully be able to relax and enjoy the session itself and not just the result.
Preparing the house
Many parents are worried whether they will have the time to clean and tidy the whole house before the session. I do not require the entire house to be clean and tidy and would not want to put that pressure on you, especially if you’ve got kids – because let’s face it, it’s not that easy to tidy up with kids running around! Whatever area in your house we choose to photograph in, all I ask is that you move distracting objects like clothes, chargers, cups and mugs out of the view. As mentioned before, the master bedroom is usually the best place and I normally ask that you put plain, neutral coloured – preferably white or cream – linen on without strong patterns.
Choosing your outfits
I advise that you have clothing for yourself and any family members chosen the day before, making sure that it is all available and clean. By no means do you have to go buy new clothes for the session – although it does make for a good excuse. Everyone should wear clothes that they feel good and comfortable in. Family members don’t have to all match – I advise against identical outfits for children, same colours on all family members – but try to make sure that the outfits complement each other with colour tones and style. Neutral and light colour tones are usually a good choice, with a pop of colour here and there. Very strong colours can create a colour cast on people’s skin – for example, if you are wearing a bright red top, your face may look slightly red on the photographs.
How to pose?
Don’t. I want you to have fun during the session. Interact with your partner and kids, play, the more spontaneous you are, the better. Spontaneous moments make the best pictures. Not everybody has to look at the camera at the same time in order for a picture to be great. In fact, it’s often the moments where parents are looking at their children or each other that will be closest to your heart, as they will capture the connection and love between you. You may have an idea of what kind of photograph you would like of your children together but please keep in mind that it may not always be achievable depending on the age of your older children and their mood and willingness to cooperate with me on the day.
