How awesome that you've booked in for the mini session. Here is lots of info so you can prepare...
Getting your child excited about the photoshoot
When preparing for the photoshoot, you can show your child example photos of what the photoshoot will look like. You can explain that they get to be fairies for a bit and that it is a special honour. If you always refer to the photoshoot as something that is going to be really fun, it is more likely to be a great experience.
I will also do my best to make it fun, relaxing and special for everyone. You can explain that a lady called Liz is going to take magical photos of them. If your child already knows me from a previous photoshoot, then that's even easier.
What do you need to bring?
Most importantly, a nice relaxed mood for you and the kids alike. There is no need to stress if a child is shy at the start or if anyone has a tantrum at any point. We will pull out all the tricks.
An extra pair of shoes is also great in case the grass is wet. I had my girls in beautiful thin ballerina shoes for the test shoot, but they got quite wet and after a while the girls demanded to be carried everywhere.
So if you choose thin shoes as well, it's worth putting on normal shoes while walking between locations.
Other things to bring are snacks (ones that don’t cause stains) and a comfort item if your child has one. Try to hide the item at first and only bring it out if we really need it.
For many children, a bribe can work quite well to get over hurdles like a dress being a little bit uncomfortable or wanting to go to an area we can't photograph in. My go-to bribe for my own kids is chocolate, it has saved me many times when I wanted them in that perfect spot for a few seconds. Same as with the comfort items, don't show them or tell them about the bribe until it's time to use it.
How should you dress for the shoot?
The dresses I have found to be super cute and fairy-like have had lots of tulle and sparkles on them - and no words, characters or distracting patterns.
These dresses can be borrowed for the shoot.
You are also welcome to use a princess dress, a shirt with a tutu or really any outfit that you think will look cute. These photos are you for you and your child in the end, so that matters most! Feel free to message me beforehand if you want my opinion on an outfit.
If you are taking me up on my offer to start the photoshoot with a family photo, then you may want to bring in a different outfit for this and then change your child into the fairy outfit afterwards.
I also have some dresses/outfits in smaller sizes that you can borrow for siblings attending the photoshoot. I don't recommend booking the fairy minis for children under 2, but siblings are always welcome to join in for part of the shoot. They will also be part of the family photo at the start of course.
I have a blog post called What to Wear For Your Photoshoot. There is lots of advice here, especially when it comes to coordinating clothes with siblings/family.
There is also a good tip in there about how to style girls' hair for photoshoots, so definitely worth a read!
Flower Crowns and Flower Swings
I absolutely adore these flower crowns, but if they are not your thing, please tell me beforehand so I don't offer them for your child to wear on the day. What they can't see, they can't get angry over not getting ;)
The same thing goes for the flower swing. If you'd rather not have photos of your child on the flower swing, I will do my best to hide it.
What if you can't make it (on time)?
If you find that you won't be able to make it or you think your child might be cranky/hungry during that time, just send me a message as soon as you figure that out and we can try and slot you in for a different time or date. Trying to take photos of a child who is unhappy before the photoshoot even begins can make it harder for you, me and your kid - so I really don't mind juggling the schedule for us to have the best experience.
For most shoots, I don't mind if people are a bit late (better than showing up super stressed because you were trying to get there on time), but mini sessions are mostly fully booked, so I advise you to leave the house as early as you can. You can even walk around the Waterpark before the shoot starts.
Also, if anyone is sick, please postpone as we don't want to put anyone at risk. Postponing or cancelling the shoot is absolutely fine with me, you don't need to clarify your reason. There are no costs involved, but I do ask that you get in touch with me as soon as you can.
What happens during the shoot?
We are going to be taking photos for about 15 minutes. We might go over if we need more time or we might be done sooner if it's gone great or your child is getting overwhelmed.
The first photo will be a family photo (unless you have chosen not to do this). It is usually a good idea for shy kids to start with family photos - (grand)parents and/or siblings - before we go for the individual photos.
Pro Tip: If you have a shy kid and you weren't planning on being in the photoshoot, make sure you still dress for it in case your child needs you close by at the start. Sometimes parents who join in spontaneously don't realise how great those photos can turn out to be and they wish they'd put on a different outfit.
The next step will be to put on the fairy wings and flowers crowns. We might swap clothes too at this point if you had chosen a different outfit for the family photo. Then we head off into the forest area (a very short walk).
We will take photos of your child individually and with their siblings in case there is more than one fairy in your family. If you have chosen to book your photoshoot around the same time as a friend or cousin, we can do photos of them together as well.
After the forest photos, we will go to the flower swing and have some photos there. If you have said 'yes' to your child having epilepsy, then I won't be able to use the flash and the photos will probably end up a bit too dark for this part. But your child can still have a lovely little swing on there.
The last part is bittersweet. Your child will have to turn in the fairy wings and flower crown. But there is a small gift waiting for her to celebrate a successful photoshoot!
What happens after the shoot?
I will edit the photos within 48 hours and send a link for you to view the photos. You can let me know about anything that might need to be re-edited or any other concerns you might have. The photos will have watermarks on them at this point, but the final photos won't.
Once you are happy with the photos I will send a little invoice with all the payment info. When I see the payment has come through, I send the high-resolution unwatermarked files through WeTransfer. You get all the photos, so no need to choose. There will probably be between 10-20 photos for you. The invoice will be for $150, or if you are a repeat client you get a 10% discount.
Sharing the photos
If you've said 'yes' to sharing on my business socials, I will end you my picks for photos I would love to share on my FB/Instagram/website and you can let me know if that is all good. You can still choose at that point to keep the photos private instead. You are welcome to share the photos yourself, and you are allowed to have the photos printed at your preferred printing place.
You are now all set to show up for your mini session! If you have any questions, or if you have found your way here but haven't booked yet, get in touch with me now.