Being prepared for your photo session is key to perfect photos
Perfect photos from your session are a work in progress – not just from me, your photographer, but also in coordination with YOU and your people! And at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter how prepared I am, or how great the set in the studio is, or how much kit I’ve got with me to make magical images of you and your people, if you’re not also prepared for the session.
Nearly every session type I offer has a prep guide, because… well, it matters to me!
So you being prepared matters to me, a lot! That’s why I’ve put together specific prep guides for all of the sessions I offer. You have a step by step guide for your session, so nothing is left up to chance, and you know you won’t forget anything. It also means you don’t have to wait for me to get back to questions (even though I’m super fast with those!) you can just… check out the guide and use it as… well, your guide! The guides work as blueprints, broken down by how long is left before your session, so you know what to be doing week by week, as well as why it’s important.
There are a few standards for ANY session though, and we’re going to talk about them!
But there are also a few standard things that you’re always going to want to do to prep for any session you come to the studio for, meet me in Minneapolis for, or are having in your home. So today I’m going to break down those general rules, that will apply no matter what session type you’re having. And not only that, but these apply for working with other photographers too!
Standard Prep Steps for All Photo Sessions
Get Booked!
The first prep step for ANY Minneapolis photo session (or a photo session anywhere else!) is to get yourself booked. Every session has a different process for this, and so does every photographer. Sometimes you can book yourself into the calendar, like with my mini sessions, or my headshot and branding sessions. Sometimes you need to reach out to the photographer, and get on their calendar that way. But no matter what, if you want a session… you’re going to need to get booked. Before you do, I totally recommend reviewing their portfolio both on their website and on social media, like Instagram, to make sure that you 100% vibe with their work. Once you have, get your session booked in!
Choose Clothes for your Minneapolis Photo Session
No matter what session you’re booking, you’re going to have to wear something. Even for boudoir sessions, where clothing is optional, there will be selections to make from your wardrobe, or the photographer’s client closet, so that you have some things to wear! For Maternity photo sessions, it might mean looking through a listing of gowns offered in the photographer’s studio, and choosing a few that you want to wear for your images. For family sessions, it might involve a shopping trip, or looking through what’s already in your closet. And if you’re having a branding photo session, you’ll want to think about how you can work with the tone of your brand to create outfits that line up and will look amazing on your business’s website and social media. But no matter what, you’re going to need to choose clothing, and wear them or bring them on your session date!
If you’re struggling with this step, lots of photographers offer support in helping choose the clothes you’re going to wear, and I have a ton of guides on the blog about clothing options for everything from senior sessions, to mini sessions and extended family sessions. So if you need a little help, they’re a great place to start!
Get Excited For Your Session
Once you’ve gotten booked, and picked, packed, or bought the clothes you’re going to wear, it’s time to get excited. I include this as a step because honestly, your attitude on the session day, and your PEOPLE’S attitude on the session day, really REALLY matters when it comes to getting magical photos.
So in the lead up to your session, think about how cool it’s going to be! Get pumped! If you’re bringing your kiddos to a family session, make sure you talk to them about how fun it’s going to be. Joke with your teen about it, and mentally prep your littles about what to expect in the studio. If your family has neurodivergent members, it might be relevant to take some extra care with this, and speak to your photographer about things that will make their experience in-studio more smooth, if that’s what you’re doing for your session. It’s so, so important to me that your whole family feels included, safe, and comfortable during your Minneapolis photo session, and I will absolutely go out of my way to accommodate you, as long as your needs are shared with me.
Hydrate, and make sure you’re ready!
In the week leading up to your session, no matter what session it is, you’re going to want to hydrate. Why, you ask? YOUR SKIN. This might sound a little obvious, but basically none of us drink enough water during the course of our days. If you’ve never tried the whole “drink a two liter bottle of water throughout the day” thing, try it. Your skin takes on a totally different quality when you’re hydrated, and it really, really shows in your images. Hydrating will make sure you look your best on the day of your session, just like getting a good night’s sleep the night before. So in the lead up, drink that water!! And make sure anyone coming with you will too.
Bring all the things for all the people, and be ready to show up on location
This step is going to look the most different between session types, but it’s still a big one, and you need to think about it. Bringing “all the things for all the people” looks vastly different whether you’re having a branding session, or a family photo session. For family photo sessions, it might mean bringing snacks for your kiddos, bottles for your baby, extra diapers, or comfort toys that are important to your kids. A branding session might include bringing props, or items that your company sells. And for something like a senior session, bringing all the things might mean bringing things that have been important to your teen throughout their high school experience, like the sax they play in the school jazz band, or their gymnastics outfit. But no matter what, bring the things with you! Make a list ahead of time, and the night before your session, make sure you’ve grabbed all the things and put them somewhere smart (which means like, somewhere safe, where your dog won’t get to them, and where you’ll remember to grab them in the morning!!).
And that’s it!
The last step that applies to every Minneapolis photo session (and sessions other places!) is showing up for the session! So really… that’s all of it. As long as you get booked, pick your clothes, hydrate, and have all of your things with you the day of the session, you’re going to be super prepared for us to make totally fabulous memories for your business or your family.
If you want the more specific prep guide for your session type, you can get to all of them here on the blog!
But like I’ve said, there are longer, more specific prep guides for my session types, that you can work through if you want something that holds your hand a little more! I even differentiate between Lifestyle Newborn Prep, and Studio Newborn Prep, because let’s face it, when you have a new baby in the family you’ve got enough to think about that isn’t “figuring it out yourself”. So take a look at the guides, and get the details! At the time of writing, the following guides are available:
But if you have questions even after looking at the guides, don’t worry! You can always reach out, and we can have a chat about anything you want to know before or after booking. Because like I said, it’s super important to me that you feel comfortable, and prepared for your session.
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