Let’s Prepare for your MOTHER @Jardin Session
Please arrive in time to find a park and walk over to our venue with five minutes to spare before your session starts, if parking is busy there is an additional gravel carpark behind the venue.
Unfortunately if you are late, due to the nature of mini sessions being back to back, that will reduce your time with me. I will not be able to take calls or answer messages during the session.
The venue is on Station Street here for iMaps and here for Google.
There will be a table set up for waiting at in the shade and I will come let you know when it is your start time.
What to Wear?
This venue lends itself to a casual and relaxed look. Take a look at the images below for some inspiration but these are your photos, come as dressed up or down as you like.
Colour makes a huge impact to the final outcome, if you are wanting some new photos to print for your walls, think about what will blend nicely with your interiors at home. Texture and details add interest, natural fibres usually have the most texture.
COMFORT and CONFIDENCE is key. If your kids are uncomfortable they’ll probably let you know and may not be as happy on the day. If you don’t feel confident in what you’re wearing I’d recommend choosing something different that helps boost you! Magic happens when we aren’t trying to hide something and can be free in our outfit. For example if a Mum doesn’t like seeing her upper arms I suggest that a loose short sleeve will suit better than a singlet style dress. If your bra is digging in giving a pinch of skin you don’t like, choose another! This isn’t about outward vanity and impressing others, this is about you feeling good and loving the photos I deliver.
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Comfortable items that fit well. Clothes you can move and play in and pick up your children (if appropriate age).
Clothing that reflects your taste and personality.
Lots of texture, small precious details or a fun accessory.
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Graphic t-shirts
Slogans, brands or motifs.
Over accessorise.
Too matchy-matchy, eg everyone in white shirts and denim. Give me contrast and interest between subjects.
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Add mini shorts underneath or reconsider all together, you will find yourself covering them up all the time and it’s easier to just not worry. I let the kids play and be active during the session so really think this one through.
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Onesies are best, shirts ride up, shorts ride down and dresses inhibit everything!
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My regular earthy colours will suit this location as well. Choose chocolate browns, tan, beige, cream and even marroon. Really use texture and variation in shades to add interest, I will focus on the textural earthy backgrounds at Jardin. See my regular preparation guide for Inspo here.
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These mini sessions have been priced so low to encourage new families to work with me that I need to optimise my time in the booking, preparation and execution of these sessions. Unfortunately this means I won’t be offering the client wardrobe at the MOTHER @Jardin sessions.
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I always love hair styled out, it adds another texture for me to create with but choose your favourite style. Use your normal level of makeup for a nice lunch out or if you love getting hair and makeup done, by all means use this as an excuse! Heavy/low false lashes are my worst enemy though, I want to be able to see your eyes!
For children– if they have hair that falls in their face when they play maybe a simple pin or a little styling product to hold it in place. I also want to see their eyes!
If none of the above give you enough Inso or aren’t your vibe. Please see my full family preparation guide linked below.
How to Prepare the Kids (and yourself!)
IMPORTANT DON’T SKIP
I hope it’s not too corny to say the 5 P’s– Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
For young children who are old enough to understand, explain to them you are visiting a cute studio and Belinda is going to play some games and take some special photos of us, find a photo of me on Instagram or my about page and even show them, this helps shy children a lot. Talk about it simply without making a big deal, in the days leading up to the shoot. If you think you may have pushback about what you have chosen for them to wear, hyper that up too, “I’ve got you this cute new outfit it’s going to look so great next to mine!” For older children and teenagers, let them know how important these photos are to you, remind them how much you love looking at photos together and that you’d like to have more beautiful ones to display at home. You can even get them involved in choosing what to wear and give them some choice and power.
For older children and partners, if they hear us talking positively about the shoot and indicating how much the photos will mean to us, that is usually enough to get them on board too. Negative talk about how you hate having your photos taken (even though this may be true), how you may be feeling or having the ‘let’s just get this done’ attitude will be unhelpful for everyone.
At the session I ask you to relinquish all expectations. Let the kids explore, let them be themselves, no pressure to behave and no pressure to smile at the camera. Definitely don’t point. I will engage with them and meet them where they’re at. I have over ten years of experience working with all types of families and children and have two of my own. I can read the energy of a shy child and give them what they need and wrangle energetic kids into a playful tender moment. Please enjoy the process, stern and worried parents trying to get children to behave don’t tend to have the best expressions themselves when I’ve worked my magic on the kids and it comes time for me to click the shutter.
Finally, rest rest rest in the lead to your session, hydrate and nourish well prior too. Do your best to not have a busy time prior and be rushing the family. I don’t offer food bribes during the shoot, it always backfires with children wanting more for each photo and being more upset than previous, rewards can definitely be offered for after. Make a day of it, we have lots of beautiful cafes in Samford, Bloom and Beam onsite, Long Yard Larder with an ice cream cabinet just down the road. Also, the playground and pump track are just over the road. That being said, we all have our off days and sometimes nap time is skipped beyond your best efforts so don’t worry, I’ve got you and we’ll still create beautiful moments with my expert guidance.
