What to Wear During your portrait session Battle Creek, MI

Once you’ve decided to book a portrait session the next step is planning. There are many aspects to planning your portrait session and one of the main concerns is attire. Of course time of year, especially when you live in Southwest MI will play a role in your decision even if your portrait session is in a studio.

Multiple options or backup attire is always a good idea, especially when you live in Battle Creek, MI-the weather can change multiple times in a day. Some families choose a matching theme such as a casual shoot in white button down shirts and jeans. Others go the complimentary route of similar tones while others may choose a palette to stick with. Often times prints can appear busy if you’re not careful but prints can be toned down with a jean jacket or cardigan.

Fall in Battle Creek, MI is a beautiful time for outdoor sessions so choosing items that will be warm enough is always important. Being comfortable is a must, you don’t want to appear stiff or uncomfortable in your portraits so don’t go too far out of your comfort zone for something you and your family would normally wear, a little more dressy than usual but not too much. Finally, choose something flattering, fitted at the waist, dark colors, long sleeves (especially for those self conscious about their arms), vests, jackets and sweaters are a safe bet. Remember, you want to stick with your family’s personal style but don’t be afraid to dress it up a little as you are making memories with this special occasion!

Limited Sessions

There are a few times a year, usually around spring, fall and Christmastime that many families like to get their portraits taken together every year and many photographers offer a multitude of setups and run “mini sessions” where offering a couple dates where you can sit for pictures in 15 minute time slots and regardless of how comfortable your children are in that amount of time you get what you get-fair enough when there are many families lined up for the day and you have a schedule to run through. At Pacific Photography I choose maybe a few sets throughout the year to offer limited sessions. These limited sessions are not scheduled in 15 minute slots back to back, appointments are scheduled as usual and time is taken to allow for everyone to get comfortable and ensure a variety of for you to choose from. Christmas sessions sometimes have a couple setups for younger children and sometimes Spring sessions are favored over Easter. All sessions are shot at the studio in Battle Creek, MI except for once a year in the fall when the colors outside are immaculate.

Session fees may vary depending on the cost of the set and availability is very limited due to the nature of how they are scheduled. Limited sessions sometimes, in cases like autumn, are booked before they even get to advertisement. It is best to book your session as soon as advertised, there is often a discount for booking at initial advertisement too. And there is no harm in messaging or emailing to book at any time throughout the year to make sure you reserve the session you desire!

Newborn and Family sessions

Having your family and newborn photography session done here in the Kalamazoo, MI area during the winter months especially can be a bit of an ordeal when you have to gather up yourselves baby and siblings. But I promise you, it will be worth it! When you come to the studio for your newborn session we start with family portraits to give any siblings time to adjust and get acclimated to the studio and lighting and then switch up parent posing and then lead into sibling portraits. Depending on the sibling age or ages I provide a range of props and options for posing the baby to ensure safety and variety for the portraits. After the sibling part of the session is done with we move to newborn room of the studio where its dark and quiet and I can utilize the sound machine, heater and other tools to sooth the baby in effort to get the newborn as relaxed as possible for those darling poses you see in the cutest outfits and bonnets with those sleepy smiles.

The full sessions can take 2-3 hours in the studio at Pacific Photography because I am always sure to leave time for feedings when needed and diaper changes and snuggles as they are needed. Newborn sessions are always baby-led, meaning I pay close attention to queues the baby gives, different cries, body language etc. One of compliments and thanks you’s I receive most often from my client’s is for my patience with their babies and children. Picture day is already enough work trying to get everyone to look their best, especially with children who never seem too worried about that part so why should you have to stress about your photographer not enjoying working with your children and taking the time to make it worth your while?

What to expect at your newborn session

Newborn session are not something that can be rushed, that being said-they can vary from studio to studio depending on what works best for the photographer. At Pacific Photography the best flow is for family pictures first, allowing time for siblings while with their parents to get comfortable with the surroundings, doing multiple poses and then moving on to sibling shots before the young ones lose interest and start to get restless. Once the family and sibling poses are done often times one of the family members will take the kid(s) out to eat or to a park nearby to have some fun while the newborn portraits are completed. Full newborn sessions average around 2.5-3 hours but this can vary from studio to studio. If a family drives from a couple hours away there is room at the Pacific Photography studio with a couch, some chairs and snacks/drinks available. Also, at Pacific Photography all props are provided from wraps to head pieces and outfits to posing back drops and buckets, baskets, bowls and more in a wide range of colors in order to suit your needs for prints and wall art to be displayed in your home.

After your session-depending on what your choice of product is you can usually expect to receive digital files within 2 weeks or an ordering appointment a week after your session. You should always have a signed contract prior to your session outlining the details of the agreement as well as signing a model release for your images to be shared on social media. Most importantly you should feel comfortable and relaxed with your photographer, you should feel confident that he or she is skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to newborn safety and always speak up if you have concerns or questions about your session before as well as during the session. The photographer you want is confident and will make you feel comfortable without making you feel like just another family with a baby passing through, it should be a memorable experience you will take with you and be able to keep forever.

Peace and photography

Recently I had a conversation with a client that I thought needed to be shared. I’ve been a photographer in the Kalamazoo, MI area for 3 years now and I have come to realize why my goal is. What drives my business here at Pacific Photography is ….peace.

Photography gives me peace. Children, believe it or not, restore my inner peace with their innocence and joy. The very definition of Pacific means peaceful intent, thus Pacific Photography.

I do not book back to back sessions, I value the time with my clients-to be able to focus on them and their children. I want them to enjoy a stress free experience in my studio and have pleasant memories to cherish. I believe in taking the time to let kids adjust and have fun. I’ve heard again and again “you are so patient” and “thank you so much for taking the time” etc. That’s is what makes my clients happy and that makes me happy. Therefore, I am at peace and delighted to offer such an experience.

Not your typical newborn portrait

Newborn portraits here at Pacific Photography are really something different. A session here is an experience that should be relaxing, it should leave you confident of an investment well spent as well as giddy with anticipation of the images when they’re revealed.

You can also be confident that your baby is safe and comfortable, your baby will be the one leading the session, I just take cues from him/her where to go next. I am a registered nurse and have worked in labor and delivery so newborn safety is always of utmost importance when handling and posing for portraits.

When you come to the studio you can count on me as a photographer that is confident in handling newborns of any age as well as a one of a kind luxurious experience. I want you to feel comfortable enough to pour yourself some coffee and take a much needed break while your newborn makes the magic happen.