kathryn pittsley photography
preparing for your family photo session
Booked your session and need some help getting ready? I'm here with the all the details on preparing for your family photo session!
My goal? To help you focus on what matters most—being present with the people you love—while I take care of the details. Your only job is to show up and be yourself. I’ll take care of the rest.
You set the mood for your photos through color. Check out this blog post on creating the right color palette to tell your story.
Finding the right location, at the right time, with the right light can be tricky. I've got you covered.
quick family portrait tips & tricks
As women, we are really hard on ourselves. At your family portrait session, I want you to enjoy yourself! So, please, don't worry about your child or pet's behavior. I know this is very hard to do! I was a teacher for over 10 years, and I am a mom to 5. You can trust me, I have seen it all! And I also know that every child has something very special inside of them...and we're going to capture that on camera!
what to wear to your photo session
My style is light-filled, timeless, and emotion-driven and so my recommendations lean more towards creating that style of photo! As you read through these recommendations, please know that these are just suggestions and you have freedom to wear what you love! However, if you desire to have images that reflect what you see most often from me online, these tips will help create the look you're hoping for!
Neutral colors create light and bright images. Dark and heavy colors will create darker and heavier images. For example, having one or two pieces of denim is fine, but if everyone in the family is wearing dark blue jeans, the bottom half of all of the portraits will seem very dark and heavy! I recommend only having 1 or 2 dark pieces of clothing. The more light washes and neutral tones the better!
getting everybody on board
Timing is everything.
If you plan your session during the big game, I can guarantee dad won't be too thrilled to be there. Likewise, try to plan your session around baby's nap, if possible. During the summer months, when sunset is late, I usually recommend making adjustments to nap time a day or two before, so that your little one can make it through a 7pm sunset session.
Eat well and hydrate.
I know. I sound like your doctor at every appointment for any ailment—but it's true! A kiddo with a comfortably full belly is going to be much more cooperative. Many families like to go out to dinner after their session, so be sure to have snacks you know your family will love before your session.
Comfort is key.
We all know how unpredictable the weather can be around New England. I always recommend layers for clothing to be prepared for those quick weather changes. As an added bonus, layers look fantastic in photos! I may or may not have a shopping addiction, so if you need any help curating the perfect outfit for your vision, I'm more than happy to provide suggestions!
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what happens if someone is sick?
Your session experience matters to me—not just the final gallery, but the process of getting there. Because of that, I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to every session. If the weather isn’t ideal for the natural light and outdoor feel I’m known for, I’ll reach out 24–48 hours beforehand with a plan. Some clouds and cooler temps are totally fine (and can actually be beautiful!), but heavy rain, high winds, or very dark skies may call for a reschedule.
The same goes for health: if anyone in your group isn’t feeling well, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I want everyone to feel comfortable and at ease—especially when sessions are part of a special vacation or trip.
I approach rescheduling with flexibility and care, taking things case by case to make sure the experience (and the final images!) reflect what you were hoping for. If something comes up, we’ll look at my calendar together and find the next best option. No pressure, no panic—just a little margin and a lot of grace.
