PORTRAIT GUIDE
Jessie Barksdale PHOTOGRAPHY
session tips, scheduling guidance, location ideas & more!
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Tips for timing, choosing a location, outfits, managing kids and more!
Portrait Session
PLANNING YOUR family
Hi friend!
I'm so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for our time together during your session. It’s normal to be a little anxious about your session. You're a busy family with quite a few things on your plate.
That's actually one of the reasons why I put together this guide. It covers things to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a location, outfits, prepping kids and more.
Hopefully it helps you feel fully prepared for our time together, but should you have any other questions or if you need advice, please feel free to reach out!
xo - jessie
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that our experience of the children in our own family is different from what others experience. For example, if you’re at the grocery store with your three year old son and he starts yelling, you probably think he’s irritating other customers more than he is. Most likely, those other customers just see a cute (slightly loud) three year old.
The same holds true for photo sessions. Your child is in a new element and a stranger is holding a big camera in front of their face. They’re likely not going to entirely be themselves. They may show off more than usual or your extrovert may suddenly become shy.
Rest assured, it’s all okay.
Managing
little ones
The best thing you can do for your kids is to go with the flow and stay positive. The more you relax and have fun with things, the more likely your little one (or big one) is to get on board.
It can also be helpful to pack a few treats and bribes for younger children. Favorite toys, special snacks, and the promise of ice cream afterwards work wonders.
I'm incredibly patient with kids and it always helps to have a few tricks up our sleeve to help get even the smallest ones to cooperate.
I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” my clients have in mind, such as spring flowers, golden hour light, sunset, for example, or based on schedules.
Sessions typically last about an hour and when I can—I love to begin sessions about one to two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches.
I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day - which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
Sunset & Bedtimes
In the warmer months, sunset sessions often fall during the witching hour. They may even fall during or after bedtime.
As much as we love a consistent bedtime routine, in order to capture the best light during "golden hour", we're likely going to need to throw off your schedule a bit.
If our session takes place close to dinnertime, I recommend feeding kids (and yourselves!) before we begin shooting.
If your little one is going to be going to bed later, consider pushing their nap a bit that day, letting them sleep longer or packing pj's so that you can quickly tuck them into bed as soon as you get home.
If your session takes place in the fall, while it might be tempting to dress your little one in a pumpkin costume to eternally remember the cuteness that babies in costumes in giant piles of leaves holds, I advise keeping attire a little more neutral.
Yes, that image would crush it on the ‘gram, but if you’re hoping to print these images for your walls, will you always want to see that pumpkin costume?
The same holds true for images taken for Christmas cards. While those red and green sweaters might be worthy of the Minted hall of fame, are you really going to want to look at photos of yourselves in holiday sweaters in the summer?
If you’re looking for outfit advice, feel free to send ideas my way! I'm happy to help curate a wardrobe that not only feels coordinated, but that looks beautiful for years to come.
Seasonality
things to keep in mind:
When Spring begins in March, even here on the coast we still get some pretty chilly days and the occasional rain shower. For this reason, when scheduling spring dates, I typically schedule both a primary date and a backup rain date.
Fresh Flowers & Sunny Days
Spring
In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
"If it could only be like this always"
Summer
Fall is one of the prettiest times of the year on the panhandle and because of the perfect weather, my calendar typically books up quickly! If you have your heart set on a fall session, I recommend scheduling early!
"and autumn a mosaic of them all."
Fall
If you your session takes place during the winter, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running. Pocket warmers can help on extra chilly days.
hot cocoa and cozy vibes
Winter
Locations
A FEW OF MY favorite places to DOCUMENT FAMILIES
The best session locations are often places that are meaningful to each individual family; however, I'm also happy to make recommendations.
Below are some of my favorite locations along 30A!
Rosemary
Seaside
Watercolor
Seagrove
Watersound
Grayton
Inlet Beach
BEACH COMMUNITIES
Eden Gardens State Park
Deer Lake State Park
Grayton Beach State Park
STATE PARKS
The above locations are all beautiful, but I also love exploring meaningful locations with my families!
I know that some family members just happen to be furry and I love when families choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
I recommend planning for your fur baby to be at the first part of your session and having a friend take them home. We won’t have them in every single photo, so it’s also nice to have someone available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising them before the session and bringing their favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to have them groomed before the shoot.
Managing
furry ones
on to the next
When selecting outfits I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if Dad is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the Mom may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones. I recommend avoiding true white and opting for ivory and softer tones instead, as they photograph better than true white.
A good rule of thumb: pick 3 or so colors and spread them throughout the family. Don't be afraid to mix a few subtle patterns or textures (such as linen).
And always keep the location in mind. If we're shooting in a green field, light green dresses might blend in too much with the surroundings.
Choosing Outfits
for everyone
Heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking or we'll be in grass, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.
I love the way larger patterns and textures (like linen) photograph - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. I love bright, neon dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion.
Wardrobe Tips
for the ladies
on to the next
Statement jewelry is a great way to add color or pattern to a simple dress.
Lace and tulle look amazing in photographs.
And dresses with sleeves are a great way to help slim arms.
Depending on your location, you might want to consider a fit and flare or a flowy dress.
They look great in walking and photos with movement.
Choose an outfit you feel comfortable in, but don’t be afraid to dress up!
Accessories
for the ladies
on to the next
Anthropologie
Nordstrom
DÔEN
Abercrombie
J. Crew
Aje.
Free People
Tuckernuck
Hill House
Madewell
Pink Blush (maternity)
Rent the Runway
Favorite Shops
LoveShackFancy
Zimmerman
Hermosa
Reformation
Cult Gaia
Zara
Mango
Nothing Fits But (maternity)
Sezane
Nuuly
Shopbop
for the ladies
on to the next
It’s so important that you look and feel your best for your photos. Investing in professional hair and makeup can go a long way towards creating photos you love for years.
Professionally done hair & makeup last longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better in humidity and wind.
If you go this route, I recommend staying a bit “classic” for a timeless look.
If you’re planning to get a spray tan, schedule it for a few days before the session to give your skin time to recover.
Hair & Makeup
for the ladies
on to the next
Wardrobe
for the gents
on to the next
Bonobos
Peter Millar
Cremieux
Banana Republic
J. Crew
Faherty
Nordstrom
Rag & Bone
Madewell
Abercrombie
Criquet
Southern Tide
Dillards
Reiss
Alex Mill
Untuckit
You can’t go wrong with crisp button up. Or consider layering a blazer or sweater with jeans with this look.
Be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, pastel colors tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin.
Cozy sweaters layered over button ups are a great way to stay warm and stylish during the cooler months.
Wardrobe
for the gents
on to the next
Nordstrom
Dillards
Kate Quinn
Zara Kids
Quincy Mae
Noralee
H&M Kids
J Crew
Etsy
Favorite Shops
Abercrombie
Jaime Kay
Maisonette
Tuckernuck
Hill House
Bonpoint
Janie and Jack
Gap
for the kids
on to the next
It’s typical for me to schedule two session dates. A primary date and a rain date. Having two dates helps us make sure that your photos happen in a timely manner. Coordinating schedules can be tough and I’ve found that the best way to make sure my families get the look they have in mind for their photos is to schedule two dates at the same time.
I’ll check in the week of your session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. I know it takes a lot of time to get ready for session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. Let me know what works best for your family, but if the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 12 hours in advance.
Inclement Weather
what to do if it rains
When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make everyone laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
"What do I do with
my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
If you've booked an extended family session (more than one household, grandparents, etc), I have a few tips to help make photographing this larger group a bit easier on everyone.
Extended Family Sessions
Tips for larger groups
Send me all family groupings ahead of time so that while I'm shooting, I understand who should be photographed together.
While you don’t need to draw me a family tree (although bonus points if you do!) something like this would work well:
I
Grandma - Jean
Grandfather - Max
Sam (son of Jean + Max) and Tina.
Their Kids: Jason (10), Julianne (5) and Jack (2)
Elizabeth (son of Jean + Max) and Paul
Their Kids: Austin (9) and Claire (6)
When it comes to choosing outfits for larger families, I recommend coordinating with one another ahead of time. Photographs typically come out best when families choose a color palette or a few colors over wearing the exact same thing (think: the white polo and khaki photo uniform of the 90’s, we can do better than that!).
Outfits that feel a bit special (your “Sunday best”) but that you still feel comfortable in generally result in the best images. I recommend avoiding true white and opting for ivory and softer tones instead, as they photograph better than true white.
If you need any advice in this area, just let me know!
II
When it comes to choosing a location for larger groupings, there are a few extra elements to keep in mind. Locations should be easy to access, limit walking, and be safe for young children.
While we can get away with shooting small families in a more compact setting, for larger families, we’ll need a bit of space to spread out. Family homes with larger yards (and open shade), parks and outdoor settings typically work best for extended families.
III
Following the session, I’ll deliver a gallery with the edited images. Please let me know ahead of time who should have access to this gallery. If you send us a list of the email addresses, I can set those up at the time of delivery to give all necessary parties access to the download permissions.
IV
Entire family
Grandparents + Their children
Grandparents + Their children + spouses
Child A + Child B
Grandparents + Child A + Child A’s Family
Grandparents + Child B + Child B’s Family
Child A + Child A’s Family
Child A + Spouse
Child A’s Kids
Child A + kids
Child A spouse + kids
Individual photos of all members of Child A’s Family
Child B + Child A’s Family
Child B + Spouse
Child B’s Kids
Child B + kids
Child B spouse + kids
Individual photos of all members of Child B’s Family
Example Extended Family Shot List
Please note that this list is just a starting point and that I'm happy to take any requested family portraits as long as time allows!
Yes, you are welcome to print the images on your own. If you do this, I recommend making sure that the printer does not color correct the images (many automatically do this.) I also recommend looking for a high quality printer. While 10 cent prints sound great in theory, the cheaper printing quality often won’t do your images justice. Paper quality, color correction and a handful of other factors play a big role in the way your prints turn out. This is one of the reasons why I LOVE offering prints to my clients via your online gallery.
A:
Can I print the images on my own?
q:
While I don’t guarantee an exact number of images, I will make sure we capture your family thoroughly. The amount of images in your final gallery depends on which collection you booked, and you can find this information in your proposal under the collection.
A:
How many images will I receive?
q:
I guarantee that your images will remain in an online gallery for at least nine months. While your gallery may stay up longer than that, I cannot guarantee it. Once your gallery has been delivered, I highly recommend downloading all high resolution images to several devices. Consider investing in a portable, waterproof external hard drive.
A:
How long will I have access to the images?
q:
While turnaround times can vary by season, I aim to deliver all images within 4-6 weeks of your session.
A:
When will I receive my images?
q:
Frequently
asked
Questions
Of course! You are absolutely welcome to share images on social media. To ensure that my work is properly represented, I ask that you refrain from any edits. I also appreciate image credits and tags as they help me to continue to grow my business. Thank you in advance!
A:
Can I share the images on social media?
q:
By default, the creators of images always own the rights to the images. However, with your session you'll receive a personal print release for private home use to print and share your images.
A:
Do I own the rights to the images?
q:
I typically plan about 45 minutes for standard sessions, and 20 minutes for petite sessions. While I likely don’t need to be shooting this entire time, this does give us the flexibility for location changes, rowdy kids and time to warm up.
A:
How long should we plan for the session to take?
q:
I perform light retouching on all of your images. This means that if there are any glaring objects that should be removed (such as a bump from the tumble your toddler took that morning) I’ll remove it.
Larger edits (such as removing tan lines) require more time and would require an additional retouching fee. After reviewing your final gallery, feel free to reach out with any requests for additional editing.
A:
Will you retouch our images?
q:
After your session, I’ll upload and back up your images, then begin the editing process. Unless there's a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your edited, digital images in a beautiful online gallery between 4 and 6 weeks after your session.
Your Images
When to Expect
I'm a huge big believer that images aren’t meant to solely exist in a digital space. One day, most likely, Instagram will be gone, your phone will be replaced and images that you can physically hold in your hand will be the best way to remember those precious moments we captured.
Think about this fact: fifteen years ago, if I had delivered you digital images, they would have been on a CD. With the fast updates to technology, you might have no way to access those images today. Even the online galleries delivered these days will eventually fade away.
But prints? Those last. I bet your family still has images from your grandparents (maybe even great grandparents.) And that was likely from a time period when cameras were expensive and prints were harder to come by.
Bring Your Images to Life with
prints
Perfect for those who value legacy. These heirloom albums are a great way to house a large number of images in a beautiful way. Leave them on display as coffee table books or protect them with a legacy box.
Albums
Our framed and matted prints are the perfect way to fill your walls with memories. With a variety of frames to choose from, I’ll help you select the perfect image pairings for your space.
Prints & Wall Art
Details for ordering will be delivered with your gallery.
Feel free to email info@jessiebarksdale.com at any time to start your order.
Easy to hang and easy to change out. Canvases are one of our favorite ways to decorate a space. They also work great on little easels placed around the home.
Canvases
Learn more about albums here:
https://jessiebarksdale.com/heirlooms
I know that this guide is long and hopefully it covers everything you need to know to prep for your portrait session. However, if there is something I missed, or you need a personal recommendation feel free to email me.
I'm looking forward to working with you!
INFO@JESSIEBARKSDALE.COM
Thank you!
XO Jessie
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