Locations: Client Reference, Naperville, Tips
Quick TIP: Start with a pattern. Extrapolate 3 colors found in that pattern to decide what everyone else will wear.
ARRIVAL
I’ve been playing more with motion. Let me know if you want to try this on your session.
Arrive 15-30 minutes early for your session and Wes or someone from the team will join you at a designated spot.
Arriving early will allow you to get the kids acclimated to the surroundings, snack, use restrooms, get dressed, etc.
On our fully booked Mini-Session dates any late minutes are lost minutes. There are usually families before and after yours.
Get there safe and if you are late and I have an open spot after yours then I’ll be able to extend for you.
DESIGNATED MEETING SPOTS
Cantigny Park Mini-Sessions: Meet behind the Visitor’s Center.
Be there about 10 minutes before your session’s start time. One of our team will meet and walk you into the park where Wes is doing magic at that time.
If it’s cold or windy out then meet me inside the lobby of the Visitors Center.
St James Farm: We’ll meet you at either the Bronze Horse Sculpture by the brick parking lot OR in the late evening I like to meet up in the Grass Parking lot closer to the entrance. It’ll all make sense when you get there.
The Boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo:
Sessions starting at :05 after the hour will meet me on the Bridge over South Pond. Free parking on N. Stockton Dr. Park as close to the bridge as you can on N. Stockton.
Sessions at :35 past will join me on the boardwalk pond side of the Ulysses S Grant Monument. You can find ample paid parking at the monument on Canon Drive which is the zoo’s lot there. If you prefer to find free Stockton parking then you’d just have to walk your way over to Ulysses S Grant Monument for your 35 minute marker meet.
EXPECTATIONS
“Expect nothing but joyful discovery and you will discover nothing but joy..” – Wes Craft
After being cooped up in the car, children need a minute to explore and stretch their legs at the beginning (or all) of the session. In those cases I’ll start with candid photos of the explorers.
A few minutes in we’ll start directed portraits for the whole family or more directed play, working through any and all groupings that we can in 25 min.
Warning: Spontaneity may Occur
Part of the fun of a family session in a park is the spontaneity that can occur.
STANDARD GROUP SHOTS MADE
The Whole Family Together in 2-4 settings and 2-3 variations within each setting (e.g. wide showing trees, medium full length, close up)
Siblings Together
Each Individual Child (or pet)
Time permitting: Parents Together, Parent A w/ Kids, Parent B w/ Kids, Headshots for Mom’s Work!
3 different Settings featured in our family photos for the H family above. All settings were chosen by me to complement the family’s color palate. We had some pose variations in each setting too.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
Help me help you.
I will ask for parental help generating expressions out of your children as needed. Usually this takes the form of playful games for our 3 and under crowd.
When your child/children are being photographed without you it’s best if parents stand beside one another and behind or over Wes’ shoulder. This ensures that their child’s face, looking at you, is generally turned toward camera even when not looking directly into the lens.
We ask that you please try to refrain from commanding “smile” or using threats like “ok fine, no ice cream”. The pressure and confusion this results in will almost guarantee fake smiles or fearful expressions.
I understand the desire to get results quickly during your half hour session however I’ve found that it’s fairly easy to capture natural expressions from children through different interactions that we’ll encourage or questions that we ask them. In my experience, it’s difficult for most kids under 3 to “get” posing commands. With older kids we can demonstrate poses that they can copy. Don’t worry. It’ll all work out like jazz.
It’s best if you come into a family session with little or no expectations except that we’ll capture some surprising and heartwarming images during our time together.
The goldenrod became a magic wand, or was it a paintbrush?
WARDROBE TIPS
The interior design tip to use a set of 3 colors for a cohesive room applies to family wardrobes as well. One example: Navy Blue, Chambray Blue, and Burnt Orange. Two blue family colors are monochromatically working together and the 3rd is a complimentary color to those. Curveball: You could actually add Green to that last example because light blue and dark blue are shades of the same color.
Brown, Beige, Tan, Caramel, Ivory, Gray, or Black are neutrals and and can be typically be added to your 3 dominant colors without clashing
Blues, Oranges, and Greens were this family’s palate.
Solids: Solids are a safe bet. They tend to let attention go to your face and allow the background’s busy textures be the counter point.
Floral prints or patterns: Patterns can work well too! Typically patterns have 3 or fewer colors that are coordinating nicely. Use a favorite patterned piece for mom, dad, or a child. It could be plaid or floral. Use it as your color palate and align the rest of the family with the color set found in the patterned piece.
Please Avoid Neon! The color will reflect onto other nearby family members and cast garish colors onto their skin as well as your own chin. The photos will still work in black and white. Please do not wear neon green, neon yellow, or neon orange.
SNACKS
Hungry/Hangry kids are rough to photograph. It’s important that your child have good blood sugar. Ideally complex carbs. Snack or feed at least 10-15 minutes PRIOR to the session. If the child in question is under 3 months, spitting up a lot after nursing, then we recommend that they be fed as far in advance of the session as necessary to allow them time to finish the majority of their spitting up prior to changing clothes and starting the session.
Please do not wait until the session has begun to hand a toddler a pouch of Cheerios or worse, a melty chocolate nut bar. Kids tend to death-grip the snack and so it’s going to be in the portraits.
If you need to snack mid session, try providing them with a snack that they can eat in a bite or two, won’t stain their hands or clothing. Use your best judgement. We get it!
Don’t stress too much, there are some tools I can use in many cases to “remove” the cheerio pouch. It’s the chewing face that I can’t do much with.
PETS
St James Farm is the only setting we currently use that allows pets. Choose that location to incorporate Buster, Buddy, or Pickles.
Have either a wrangler or a way to safely and securely store the pets during portions of the session where they’re not involved. Treats or favorite toys may be in order for me to attract your pet’s attention.
Thank you! I’m excited to work with you all again (or for the first time).
Drop me an email with any questions. It’s wes (at) wescraftphotography.com
