Tips to have a great summer or fall session
Summer and Fall sessions are full of color- the greens and yellows of the grass, golden sun and leaves, and all the vibrant wildflowers can provide tons of outfit options!
Although neutrals work at any session, we tend to love incorporating pops of colors to give the photos depth and character. We really love how it looks when you coordinate rather than perfectly matching!
Below we’ll get into some color theory and palettes for inspiration, but first lets dive into some simple but important tips we’ve learned over the years.
Patterns
We love patterns! A flowy floral dress or a nice flannel can add a beautiful element to your family photos! For small families we recommend only 1-2 people wear a pattern and the rest dress in solids. For extended families only 1-3 people. We do not recommend anyone wear super thin stripes as it can produce a weird affect in camera. Although patterns are great its important to choose patterns with colors or neutrals that fit within the palette and that aren’t too distracting so the focus is on your lovely faces!
Footwear
Although some photos will be taken from the waste up, your shoes will definitely be in a lot of your photos! Neutrals for shoes are the safest bet and sneakers with neon on the soles can be very distracting! Socks should also match or be completely hidden. If you choose a location with a hike it might be a good idea to put on hiking shoes/tennis shoes for the beginning then change into your fancier shoes for the majority of the photos.
Comfort
Although your session is in the summer/fall it can get chilly before the sun comes up and after it goes down. Weather can change quickly in the Rockies and its always a good idea to bring a light jacket for young children and adults especially if you’re wearing shorts or a dress/skirt. If you choose a location near still water we can get mosquitos and other bugs so using some sort of repellent helps to keep them away! If you plan to wear a short dress we recommend sitting in front of a mirror and shifting positions a bit to make sure you’ll stay covered and comfy in photos.
Outfit Changes and Pets
If you’d like to change outfits during your session please let us know at least two weeks before your shoot so we can try to pick a location with bathrooms if possible and at the very least start a little earlier to give you time to change. Please let us know if you plan to bring any pets to your session as well because that can impact location and there are other things to keep in mind. We recommend neutral leashes and collars if possible so it doesn't clash with your color scheme.
Accessories
If you or your family members would like to have your sunglasses on we really recommend bringing a bag to put them in so you can set the bag down during photos. We recommend doing this with your phones as well if you aren’t comfortable leaving them in the car! Phones create bulges in pockets that look awkward and are difficult to remove in post production. If you wear prescription glasses it could be worth looking into anti glare. Although we can reduce glare a bit in post we won’t be able to remove it completely because it doesn’t look realistic. Jewelry can be a nice touch to your wardrobe- just ensure you’re comfortable hiking/walking with on. If you wear an Apple Watch or other watch make sure you’d like to have it on your photos and if not you can remove it before your session. If you have a hat you’d really love to wear please keep in mind hats can create a shadow over the eyes and leave hair messy so it’s better to put it on at the end rather than the beginning.
Kids
When preparing kiddos for their session it’s important to keep them in a happy and lighthearted mood! You can explain to them that they will have a chance to play and get photos taken, especially after they have taken the group shots and given their best smile! Dress them in clothes that are warm enough and easy to move in! Babies should have bloomers or shorts/leggings to cover their diaper. Accessories can be adorable but if they take them off mid-shoot it’s best to laugh it off and go with the flow so they don’t get upset. As parents we understand how frustrating it can be when kids don’t listen or aren’t cooperative with smiling and looking at the camera. Although it can be tempting to discipline or get frustrated we really recommend taking a different approach during the session. If one child isn’t joining the group photo sometimes it can be best to let them be and show the child what a great time your having by laughing as a family until they naturally come join! Hugging, dancing and other prompts are a great way to encourage kids to come out of their shells and get their natural, happy smiles!
Tips to have a Great Session
Although neutrals work at any session, we tend to love incorporating pops of colors to give the photos depth and character. We really love how it looks when you coordinate rather than perfectly matching!
Below we’ll get into some color theory and palettes for inspiration, but first lets dive into some simple but important tips we’ve learned over the years.
Outfits
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Color Theory
Ryan Hunter Photo & Video Services, formerly Park Summit Digital Media, is a husband and wife ran small business offering quality photography and videography. We specialize in senior portrait photography, family portrait photography, extended family portrait photography, kids portrait photography, couple portrait photography, vacation rental photography, event photography, drone and aerial photography and video, family films and videography to Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Dillon, Frisco, Blue River, Alma, Fairplay, Jefferson, Hartsel, Bailey, Colorado and the surrounding areas.