- Planning your portrait session from choosing the best location to fit your vision of your portraits, finding a date on on our calendars to work best with your schedule and comfortable time of day and I'll even be glad to help give ideas for your session wardrobe! Have a question? Just ask! I'm here to capture you and those you love through portraiture and will be glad to help in any way!

- Includes up to 5 people, each additional person is $10.
Travel and mileage fees may be included.

- After our session, you'll receive via email your edited High-Res digital image files via an online image gallery with a Reproduction Print Release. Additional digital images are available for purchase. 

All-Inclusive Mini Sessions are occasionally available by request beginning at $150 and dependent on my availability of schedule and location determined by Melissa.

- Plan, Plan, Plan!
LOCATION: Consider the location you'd like for your Family Portraits. I have my favorite locations and will be happy to make recommendations based on your personality and style!
Do you prefer a Natural/Rustic Location with fields, barns and dirt roads?
How about an urban, edgy look uptown?
Does your family enjoy time in the mountains with sweeping views and cool mountain streams?
Are you more of a beach lover? Just ask - I travel!

LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
Children will do best if they know what to expect during their portrait session. Chatting about how our session will flow helps kids to relax and have fun! We'll most likely be capture a mixture of family all together, mom & kids, dad & kids, kids together, kids individually and mom & dad together - at least that's how we do a typically family session. 
Kids can pick up on stress, so try to stay relaxed even if your little one if having a moment or meltdown...we'll get through it - and remember - I'm a mama of 4, so nothing scares me! :)

📍If you have scheduled your portrait session at a location or venue that you have never been to before or are unfamiliar with, please allow yourself ample and extra travel time considering traffic and other obstacles you may encounter on your trip in. Arriving at your session location early ensures that you have plenty of time to prepare once you have arrived and be ready to start your session at the appointed time. Photographers, especially this time of year commonly have sessions back to back and have extremely busy schedules and Timing demands.
While waiting, grab a baby wipe for the little and wipes those faces and hands one last time, just in case!

HAVE FUN!
Laugh! Giggle! Joke! Hug and Snuggle! Enjoy this special family together and consider it a time to capture your relationships, interactions, personalities and love for one another! For any questions or concerns, text me! 828-409-3789

PLAN ON SOMETHING FUN AFTER THE SESSION!
Sometimes with younger kids, especially promising to do something special and fun after your session is over helps to encourage those sweet smiles and happy attitudes!
Maybe it's ice cream, a scenic walk around the park or venue, dinner at everyone's favorite restaurant, or something so simple like our kids enjoy - ice cream + hanging out at the lake and feeding the turtles!

Choosing your Portrait Session Wardrobe…

• Consider the Changing Seasons and Colors!
I suggest considering the time of year and the foliage outdoors when choosing your portrait session wardrobe.

• Don’t match - Coordinate!
Now this doesn't mean everyone has to match with khaki pants or jeans and a white or black shirt!
You want to complement each other's outfits by choosing colors that work well together. I find that if everyone is wearing the same clothing, people will all tend to blend in together and there won't be too much pop and life to the images.

- For Him: For men, if you're looking for a sophisticated look, closed toed shoes and fitted pants up always do the trick. It places the attention on your face where you want it! If you have shorts and sandals, leave them home for this one.
Also guys - clear the pockets! I’m also a wedding photographer so my biggest tip is to take everything out of the front pockets of the pants… Phones, keys, wallets… Anything that will show in Portraits… Leave them in the car during your portrait session or it tuck away out of sight in the back pocket.

- For Her:
Say yes to the dress! if you have a long, full length flowy skirt or dress, say Yes! Extra plus if it’s a neutral or pastel color! These photograph so well. Consider chiffon or tulle!
When you're choosing what too wear, Think about the features that you love the most and choose something that flatters those features! For example, heels always elongate women’s legs and make them look fabulous!
On the other side of the coin, there are sometimes features that we are not super confident about… Such as our arms! If you are not super confident about that, you can always wear sleeves to your elbows or top with flowy sleeves!
Treat yourself! Scheduling your portrait session is a great reason to pamper yourself! Get your nails done and hair done and all dolled up! Not only Will you look fabulous, but it will make you feel amazing!

For the Kids!
Dressy clothes on the kids will automatically make your photos stand out more! I suggest choosing something more dressy over casual play wear. You can find great children’s outfits in many places these days. Pick something you will look back on and love!
- Accessorize! Even though they’re still little think about what you would do for yourself and accessorize your little one! A cute bow or headband for a little girl. A handsome bowtie or suspenders for the boys.

• Be comfortable. Make sure that everyone's clothing fits properly and is weather appropriate.
🌤️(Always check the weather’s 10-day-forecast and have a back up plan to add a sweater or be able to remove layers is the weather changes unexpectedly). This is especially true for children. If you feel good in your clothes it shows!

🔗For more ideas on what to wear for your family portrait session, feel welcome to check out the family portrait gallery link below!
https://www.melissacockmanphotography.com/family

Pinterest Board | Visual Inspiration:
https://www.pinterest.com/melynna/what-to-wear-family-style-guide/