Clothing sets the entire mood of your portraits, so it's worth thinking through. Start with a soft, coordinated color palette — creams, earth tones, dusty blues, or sage greens. Choose 2–3 complementary colors and mix textures: a flowy dress, a layered cardigan, simple linen. Coordinate rather than match — think pieces from the same collection, not a uniform.

Avoid bold logos, neon colors, and busy patterns. And please, leave the AC/DC shirt in the drawer for this one.

My client closet has a few pieces and children's dresses available to borrow. If you're ever unsure, text or email me a photo of your outfits — I'm always happy to help before the session.

The night before: lay out all outfits, get a good night's sleep, and pack a "just in case" bag — snacks, wipes, a change of clothes for little ones, and a comfort item if they have one. On the day of: eat a light meal before you come, leave a few minutes earlier than you think you need to, and keep the energy light and fun. Don't hype up the session as a big deal — just tell them we're going to play and take some fun pictures.

Most importantly: relax. Kids feed off your energy. The more at ease you feel, the more they will too.

Tip: You may want to plan your session around your child’s nap time to ensure they feel their best!

Take a breath and we’ll take a break — this is one of the most common things I hear before a session, and I promise, it's always okay. I've worked with children of every age and temperament, and I have plenty of patience, games, and tricks to keep things moving. Some of the most beloved images come from the unscripted, imperfect, wonderfully real moments.

My job isn't to capture perfect poses — it's to capture your family just as you are. A silly face, a much-needed hug break, a toddler mid-sprint — these often become the favorites. You stay calm, keep smiling, and trust me to handle the rest.

Yes! Pets are welcome in both studio and location sessions. For studio sessions, bring their favorite toy or treat — we'll typically work them in at the beginning or end of the session to keep things easy. The more comfortable your pet is with you present, the smoother it goes. Just give me a heads up so I can get the water bowl ready for them.

Travel to locations within 25 miles of my Ventura studio (93003) are included in the session fee, and I have a curated list of beautiful spots throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties — beaches, open fields, gardens, parks, historic neighborhoods, and more. If you have a location that's meaningful to you, I'd love to hear about it. If you're not sure where to go, I'll make recommendations based on your session type and the mood you're going for.

If the location you would like to shoot at is further than 25 miles from 93003, we would be happy to accommodate your request; however, a travel fee will apply.

Please give me as much notice as possible and I'll do my best to find a new date that works.

For outdoor sessions, I monitor weather closely in the days leading up to your session. Southern California generally cooperates and we rarely get rain. But if conditions are very poor we'll reschedule at no extra cost — I want your images to be everything you imagined.

Please keep in mind that we do not reschedule due to overcast skies or fog. This is very typical coastal weather throughout the year in Southern California and overcast days can actually produce beautifully soft, flattering light. We may miss out on the colors of the coastal sunset, but the images will still be beautiful!

Honestly, Southern California is beautiful nearly year-round — that's one of the gifts of living here. Fall is the most popular season for family portraits, with warm golden light and portraits ready just in time for holiday cards. Spring brings lush greenery and soft florals. Summer evenings have that magical last-light glow. Even winter days in Ventura can be breathtaking. The best time is when your family is ready.