Everything you need to know for a stress-free experience
Portrait Guide
grace rosalie
The right location sets the tone for your session, whether it’s a beach, an outdoor park, a cozy in-home session, or a more urban setting.
Think about what fits your style—do you love soft, natural backdrops, or do cityscapes with modern lines appeal to you?
If you have a meaningful spot, like your backyard or a favourite weekend hangout, that can make your photos feel even more personal.
If you’re unsure, don’t worry! I have plenty of beautiful location recommendations and will help find the perfect spot for your vision.
Choosing the perfect location
Setting the scene
Lighting plays a huge role in how your images look. For outdoor sessions, golden hour—the hour after sunrise or before sunset—creates soft, flattering, and beautifully warm light. If we’re shooting indoors, we’ll plan for when natural light is at its best in your space. For little ones, we’ll schedule your session around their happiest time of day. If late afternoon or evening is when they tend to be fussy, we’ll opt for a morning or earlier time slot instead.
Timing & Light
Not sure what time will be best?
Your clothing choices help set the tone for your portraits. I recommend wearing neutral, earthy, or soft tones—they photograph beautifully and keep the focus on you.
Bold patterns, neon colours, or logos can be distracting, so opting for classic, timeless styles will ensure your images look great for years to come.
For families, coordination is key. Choose a colour palette and mix tones and textures rather than matching exactly.
Soft, flowing fabrics work well, and adding layers (like a cardigan, scarf, or jacket) can create beautiful movement in your images.
What to wear
Choosing the perfect outfits
A little extra polish can make a big difference in photos! Whether you prefer professional hair and makeup or a natural look, the goal is to feel confident. For makeup, opt for a look that enhances your natural beauty. For hair, soft waves, a sleek blowout, or a natural style that makes you feel your best will always photograph beautifully.
Hair & Makeup
Kids bring so much personality to sessions, and I want them to feel comfortable and happy! To help little ones enjoy the experience:
Keep it fun: I’ll guide them in a playful way rather than stiff posing.
Bring a favourite small snack: Avoid messy treats, but something easy like crackers or dried fruit can be a great motivator.
Let them be themselves: The best images come from their natural giggles and curiosity!
For babies, a full tummy and a well-timed nap beforehand can make all the difference. We’ll keep things relaxed and go at their pace!
Preparing Babies & Children
Less stress, more fun
Weather can be unpredictable, but it doesn’t have to be a stressor! In fact, overcast skies create soft, flattering light that can make your photos look even more beautiful. Unless we’re dealing with heavy rain, strong winds, or extreme temperatures, we’ll usually move forward as planned, making small adjustments as needed to ensure the best results.
I typically make the final weather call at least 12 hours in advance, checking forecasts to see if conditions will impact your session. If it looks like the weather won’t cooperate, I’ll reach out to discuss your options:
Reschedule to a New Date: If the weather is truly unworkable, we’ll find the next available date that works for both of us to ensure the best conditions for your session.
Move to an Indoor Location: If rescheduling isn’t an option, we can explore an indoor setting, like a lifestyle studio or your home, to keep your session on track.
Weather
prepare for the unexpected
Most people aren’t professional models and feel quite awkward in front of the camera, and that’s completely okay! I’ll guide you through natural poses and movements so nothing feels stiff or forced. My goal is to capture real moments—laughter, connection, and emotion—so you never feel awkward in front of the camera. Just relax, have fun, and trust the process!
Posing
Including grandparents, siblings, or extended family members in your session is a wonderful way to capture meaningful connections across generations.
To keep things running smoothly, we’ll plan a mix of large group portraits and smaller, intimate combinations, ensuring everyone gets a chance to be part of the moment.
Having a list of must-have shots ahead of time helps streamline the process, so no important groupings are missed.
I’ll guide the posing and flow to keep everything feeling natural and relaxed, making sure we capture a beautiful blend of candid moments and classic portraits that your family will cherish for years to come.
Extended Family Portraits
for the whole family?
Once your session is complete, I’ll carefully edit and curate your final images to reflect my signature style.
Your fully edited gallery will be delivered via a private online gallery within X weeks, where you can view, download, and share your photos easily with family and friends.
You’ll receive high-resolution images for printing and web-sized versions optimised for social media, ensuring your photos look their best no matter how you use them.
File Delivery
What to expect
A timeless way to relive your day, custom-designed albums beautifully showcase your favorite moments in a high-quality, lasting keepsake.
Albums
A modern, frameless way to showcase your portraits, canvases turn your favorite images into statement pieces with a durable, high-end finish.
Canvases
Perfect for framing or gifting, professional prints offer rich colors and sharp detail, ensuring your memories are beautifully preserved.
Prints
While digital files are great for sharing, there’s something truly special about seeing your memories in print. From classic prints to stunning wall art, I offer professional-quality products to help you display your favorite moments beautifully.
Print options
Images are best displayed
Phone: 000-000-000
Email: info@gracerosalie.com
Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 3pm est
Grace xo
Portrait sessions should be fun, relaxed, and filled with genuine moments. You don’t need to be perfect or worry about posing—I’ll take care of everything! My goal is to create images that truly feel like you. If you have any questions before your session, just reach out—I can’t wait to capture these memories for you!