WS
South FloridaMelissa Arlena
Photography
Photography
Your step-by-step guide to planning your family session
Thank you for choosing to work with me. I am so excited to get started on your portrait session.
I want to make this experience helpful and stress-free so I have created a step-by-step guide to plan your perfect portrait session. Simply follow each step below to get started.
Step One
When selecting a location for your outdoor portrait session consider the season and style of images you want. Beach images during the winter months will look very different than beach images during the summer. There is no right or wrong; just be mindful of what type of images you want to have.
Also consider having your session in your home, these lifestyle sessions can be a great way to show off a day in your life. We do fun activities like baking in the kitchen, reading a book to your kids and just playing together!
Downtown Bricknell
Downtown West Palm Beach
Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
Downtown Hollywood
Dania Beach
Hollywood Beach
Deerfield Beach
Sunny Isles
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens***
Fairchild Gardens***
Flamingo Gardens***
Secret Gardens Miami***
***Cost extra
Your home
Airbnb Rental***
Tiny Home Rental***
***Cost extra
Step Two
The wardrobe you choose to wear can really change the overall look of your final images. What kind of style fits you? Look for outfits that are similar to these tones and styles.
Check out my Pinterest boards for more ideas on what to wear for your session!
Step Three
Getting ready for your portrait session doesn't have to be stressful. Here are some simple tips to have a stress-free and fun portrait session.
Select an outfit that makes you feel confident and beautiful. When it comes to your portraits, your attitude will reflect greater than your actual outfit. When you feel beautiful and confident in your own skin, the other style details will all fall into place.
So don't get overly stressed about your outfit selection. Go with your gut and what makes you feel like you! Here are some general tips for getting ready:
If you're like most guys, then you dread taking photos. I challenge you to throw out all your doubts, insecurities, and frustrations toward taking photos because this is NOT your average portrait session. If you promise to have an open mind I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable and excited during your portrait session.
Step four
Personalizing your session is how you make your images feel unique to you.
Do you have a furry pet that feels like family? Feel free to bring your pets along to your portrait session.
Please note: some locations work better for pets. Please notify me that you will bring your animal so we can pick an appropriate session location.
A little pampering can make you feel like a million bucks! I love it when clients opt for professional hair and make-up because of course they look beautiful but they feel it too. Remember you'll be looking at these photos for the rest of your life! I've linked some local make-up artists in the tips above.
While I don't recommend props for your photos in general I do understand that sometimes you have something fun you'd like to incorporate. Let me know if you have something like that so we can add it into some of your photos!
Step five
If you haven't noticed already I'm big on printing your photos to display in your home. Before your session is the best time to think about how you want to look at these photos in the years to come. We can even plan out certain photos for your session that will fit perfectly in your desired space. So visit the link below to check out the products I offer and get started!
