Session Day!
It's finally session day! Here are a few things to keep in mind for the day of the session, including what to bring with you and what to expect. I'm excited and I hope you are too!
Session Day Checklist: What to Bring with You
The outfits for your session! If you have two outfits, arrive in the outfit you would like to start in, and bring the second one with you.
Your engagement ring (if applicable)
Water for all of you
Snacks if you know you may get hungry
Shoes to walk through varied terrain in, even if not for the photos themselves.
Makeup for touch-ups if you'd like
Accessories like belts, hats, socks, jackets, etc.
Any props you are including
If we are getting wet or particularly dirty, bring a towel or change of clothes for the drive home. This includes dry socks if we will be getting wet.
If it's going to be cold, bring some warm clothes even if not for the photos themselves. I recommend bringing a jacket that you can take off for photos, but wear while walking.
What to Expect at the Session
- When you arrive at our meeting location, I'll be waiting for you. Look for me or my light blue Subaru Forester (if we're in Colorado).
- The session will be a bit of a workout! Be ready to run, cuddle, walk, jump, etc.
- The session will likely last about 20-40 minutes longer than the actual shoot time, depending on locations, outfits, light and logistics. For example, if we have 60 minutes of shoot time, plan to be out for at least 90 minutes.
- If we are shooting for 60 minutes or more, we will take about a 10-15 minute break halfway through for you to relax and change outfits if necessary.
- I will give you some specific poses, but I will mostly give you action-based prompts to get you moving and interacting with each other.
- I tend to be somewhat high energy. If you ever need a break during the session or don't feel comfortable with something I ask you to do, just let me know! I won't be offended.
- Throughout the session I'll ask you questions, but at some point, I'll ask you if there is anything else you would like to do or get photos of. This is your chance to do anything we haven't done yet, or try out any ideas you may have!
- Expect to have lots of fun. :)
Here are some tips if the weather is going to be cold
- I want you to be comfortable for your session, not freezing. I recommend bring warm clothes to wear, even if not for the photos themselves. You can always take jackets and gloves off when you're ready, and then put them on again to warm up.
- Your hands will get cold faster than the rest of your body. Bring gloves, even if you think you won't need them. I also recommend bringing hand warmers.
- Bringing a thermos (think HydroFlask or Yeti) with a hot beverage can be amazing. Trust me.
- Remember, the higher in elevation we go, the colder it will be! Check the weather forecast for the town closest to where we will be, NOT just the weather for somewhere like Boulder or Denver (unless we are shooting there).
- Ladies, if you're worried about wearing a wedding dress in the cold, here are a few tips. You can wear leggings, tights, of even fleece-lined tights under your dress. A dress with a fuller, more flowy skirt is going to allow you to layer underneath and stay warm. You can also consider dresses with sleeves or get a shawl to go over your upper body.
- If you have questions about weather and how to prepare, please ask! Check out this page of the guide for more weather tips.
- Plan to arrive about 5 minutes before our scheduled meeting time. Sometimes we are shooting for sunset, and if you are late, that may cut into our session time.
- Take everything out of your pockets!! Take your keys, wallet, and phone out of your pocket and place them in the car or in a separate bag. If there is anything in your pockets, it will show up in the photos.
- Try to limit the amount of things you bring with you to the actual shooting location. We may move around a lot, and the more bags you have, the harder it will be to move. Try to fit everything you need in one bag each. If you have a second outfit, you may be able to change in the car, but you may need to bring it with you to where we are actually shooting.
- Throughout the session, if you ever don't know what to do with your hands, put them on each other.
- Remove distractions from your wrists. Make sure you don't have hair ties or anything on your wrists that you don't want in photos.
Final Notes
In general, RELAX and just focus on spending time with your partner. Have fun, be yourselves, and let your emotions show. If you forget something or a detail isn't perfect, it's ok. The most important thing is capturing you together.
Copyright Abby Shepard Photography
