Welcome to CRP!

 I am so glad you are here.

Welcome to the Client Portal. Your personal resource to all things session related.

I believe that choosing a photographer is a deeply personal decision, and I want all the families I work with to know how seriously I take the responsibility to deliver an experience you will treasure. It is an honor and privilege to get the opportunity to capture such precious keepsakes for you. I know how important your time and money are, and I promise to deliver a laid back, fun, and unique experience for you and your family. Most of the families I work with tell me how much fun they had during their time with me, and how their galleries were indicative that my laid back approach pays off to create beautiful realistic memories.

Please take a moment to review the information below to be as prepared as possible prior to our session together. You will scroll down until you find the information on the type of session you have booked with me. If you have any questions after reading the information below, shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to help. 

Please don’t stress about your upcoming session. You can see my blog post here about how I run my sessions. this goes for any family session types. I want everyone to be relaxed and themselves for the best possible experience.

I can’t wait to work together!

Your Custom Family Portrait Session

So your session is booked, now what? 

Via e-mail we will discuss location selection, wardrobe selection (if you need guidance), and I will answer any questions you have.

I cannot wait to capture you and your people. Custom photography is special because it not only captures what your family looks like at a certain point in time, but it also captures who you and your family are as individuals and as a unit. My goal for each session is not to capture the “perfect” shot with everyone stiffly posed and smiling at the camera but to capture authentic family connections and to create heartfelt, meaningful images in a stress free and fun environment. While we will capture some lightly posed traditional photos, the majority of our session will focus on having fun and capturing the authentic moments between you and your family so I can create unique works of art for you to hang in your home and pass down for generations. Here are some tips to prepare for our session:

Location: via email, we will decide together on the best location for your session. Majority of my sessions are done at Memphis Botanic Gardens, Shelby Farms or Overton Park, but I am always open to new locations if you have somewhere you would like to shoot. We can shoot inside your home if it provides adequate natural light. You should pick a location that fits the style you are going for. I can help with the decision. 

Time: Your outdoor session is already booked 1-2 hours before sunset because this is when you can get the most beautiful light. I only shoot outdoors during this time because light has a huge impact on the way your images will look. Most families with little children will have them take a late nap on the day of their sunset photoshoot or have some downtime before the session. If your child is cranky if woken up from a nap, do not let them fall asleep in the car on the way to your session. 

If you choose to have your family session in your home rather than outdoors, we will need to change the time to late morning when homes are lit the best. If you choose inside your home for the location, we can discuss via email to schedule for the best time.

Length of Session: My family outdoor sessions usually last about 45 minutes to an hour. 

What To Wear: The most important thing to consider when deciding on wardrobe is to choose something that you are comfortable in and that reflects your style. It is best to coordinate outfits with the family, but you don’t need to match. CLICK HERE to read a blog post about what to wear to your family photography session. I am happy to discuss wardrobe via email if you have any questions.

Props: I don’t bring props to my sessions. If you have something you would like to include, please let me know. If you think your child may need a toy it is best to choose something that is small and neutral in color, and only bring it out if absolutely needed. 

Kids: Most children don’t like being told to smile or pose, and usually this results in awkward photos. It is best if we just let the child be themselves and to relax and follow his or her lead so I can capture their true personality. Please do not have expectations on how your children should behave. Do not worry If your child is running around and being active, this actually provides me with a lot of opportunity to capture the wonder and true joy of a child. To get group shots, I will direct the adults and/or older kids to hold the child or to engage with the child, and we go from there. I have 2 small children myself and letting them be themselves throughout our time together is exactly what we want. 

To get the most out of your session, please make sure children have rested and have had plenty of water and snacks. We can take breaks for play and snacks if needed, but I will most likely keep taking photos during any breaks. If you bring snacks, please make sure it is not a messy snack so their clothes and faces stay clean. 

Prepare your child for the session by letting them know that a friend is going to be spending some time with your family and taking pictures with a camera that is much bigger than mom or dads phone. It is best not to surprise them. 

Please arrive and be ready to start on time since the session is booked according to the sunlight. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email. 

I can’t wait to see you soon!

Your Custom Newborn Session

So your session is booked, now what? 

I am so excited for the opportunity to capture your newborn! My style is Fine Art Lifestyle, which means the session will be done in the comfort of your own home where I will capture this brief and beautiful time in your family’s life. I want to stress that my goal is for this to be a laid back and stress free experience for you and your family.

Day of the session: When I arrive, I will walk around your home and pick out the rooms and locations with the best light for family shots. I often use the master bed, the couch, and the nursery for photos. I have 2 children of my own and have experience with newborns, so please do not feel like you have to clean your home or have anything in order before I arrive. We can declutter and clean up an area we want to use for photos easily. Please do not let my presence cause any stress to you. 

Your Baby: If you do not have an outfit of importance or don’t know what you want your baby to wear, I suggest plain onesies with no graphics or words. I will most likely take off the clothes and get some near nude photos to capture those tiny little features. Please have your favorite blankets or swaddles to wrap the baby in as well. You will want to feed the baby as much as he or she wants about 15 minutes before the session. I do not do any unnatural posing or expect a baby to act a certain way. It does not matter if he or she is awake or asleep, and if he or she wants to be held the entire time, that is totally fine, too. I let the baby lead the session and whatever he or she needs is perfect. 

Siblings:  I know how big and sometimes difficult this change is for the older kids in your home. I typically will start the session with sibling and family photos while the older kids are interested in participating. It is best to prepare your other children for the session by telling him or her that you have a friend coming to visit and take photos of your family. Make sure they know it is happening, so they aren’t surprised by my arrival.

Mom & Dad: This is an amazing and exhausting time in your life. You are most likely experiencing some big highs and some low lows. My job isn’t to make this time in your life look perfect, but I will capture how incredibly beautiful this fleeting time is. Please remember I am a mom and I have been through the trenches in all of its exhausting, beautiful glory. I want you to feel at ease and be yourself. 

Clothing: I recommend neutral colors, but the most important thing is to wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you would like to discuss clothing, just let me know.

I can’t wait to capture you and your family!