CLIENT GUIDE
portrait session tips & more!
W E L C O M E
I’m happy to have you here and I look forward to getting to know you!
Having photographed more than 500 sessions over the past five years, I’ve noticed some questions come up pretty often. So I’ve put together a guide that walks you through everything.
Thank you again for your interest in working with me and please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can offer any additional guidance throughout the planning process!
– Emily
PRICING
UP TO 90 MINUTES | UP TO TWO LOCATIONS* | MINIMUM OF 40 DIGITAL IMAGES | PROFESSIONAL RETOUCHING | ONLINE GALLERY FOR SHARING & DOWNLOADING
*UP TO 5 MILES APART
$499
STYLE TIPS
I’d never tell you what to do with your style — your style is YOU! These are just a few tips in case you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
Whatever you wear Should Feel Like You
Glamming up in a gown and tux can be SO much fun -- but not if you’re not really feeling it. And if you’re not feeling your outfit, you’ll feel awkward. If you two feel like your sexiest in your favorite tee and jeans rock them!
Don’t Wait Until Last Minute to shop
You want to have your outfit soon enough in advance where you can make sure it fits well and feels good. Too loose can look sloppy and too tight can look uncomfortable. Make sure you have a range of motion where hugging your partner doesn’t feel like it’s going to rip your blazer apart.
Complementing is more visually interesting than Matching
however, There are certainly instances where matching patterns or colors can look chic.
BRING AN EXTRA PAIR OF SHOES
We’ll likely be walking for a bit from one location to another and in four inch heels (or any uncomfortable shoe) that can get really unbearable really fast.
Pick a color palette
Gem tones, Earth tones, pastels, and cool colors look good on just about everyone. Black is always timeless..
Consider the season
It’s extra hard to be cute when you’re cold. OR SUPER HOT.
Don’t Go Overboard on Pinterest
OR EVEN INSTAGRAM BOOKMARKS! Your Pinterest board for style should be no more than 5-10 photos MAX. Otherwise it’s easy to get overwhelmed and be a bit more scattered about what aesthetic you’re going for.
Have Fun With It!
Whether it be a bold statement necklace or special edition Jordan’s. Incorporating the unexpected can create a more interesting photo. As a few ideas: leather, lace, fur, denim, sequins, fringe, feathers..
POSING
Posing is literally my job. don’t sweat posing. though, if you have a favorite side you prefer, just let me know! for the most part, just come ready and open minded.
location inspiration
for high City vibes
millennium park
wrigley plaza
riverwalk
north avenue beach (great view of the skyline!)
instant classics
chicago cultural center
art institute
university of chicago
the comfort of your own home
one with nature
lincoln park zoo
chicago botanic gardens
morton arboretum
garfield park conservatory
how ‘bout a lil adventure?
day at the beach
cooking or dance class
hiking
picnic at the park
make it a date night!
you’re already planning to be dressed to the nines and all lovey dovey Which means that the day of your engagement session is the perfect occasion for a date night! your engagement session is another part of celebrating your love and heading off to a fancy dinner is the perfect way to end the session!
Inclement Weather plan
Chicago weather can be unpredictable. Therefore, I try to schedule sessions within a two day timeframe. A primary date and a rain date. Usually they are a Saturday and the Sunday as the backup.
We’ll check in the week of your engagement session to confirm the time & location we’re meeting and the weather. It takes a lot of time to get ready for an engagement session and it’s the worst to get dressed up and drive out to your session only to have it rain. If the weather looks like it won’t be great, I typically try to make the call at least 24 hours in advance to give you enough time to reschedule hair and makeup if necessary.
DESTINATION ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
While I take most of my engagement sessions in the Chicago area, i’ve photographed sessions everywhere from DC to Miami to St. Louis. If you have a location in mind that is significant to the two of you, let me know! If our schedules align, we may be able to make it happen. Travel fees may apply depending on the location.
engagement session check list:
Schedule hair and makeup appointments
Choose your outfits
Get your nails done
Clean your ring
Pick a fun post-session date night spot
Pack Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots
pack Outfit two including shoes and accessories
Touch-up makeup
Water bottle (for warmer sessions)
Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)
After the session
within 24 hours, you’ll get a text or email from me with a few of the edited images from your session. This sneak peek is meant to tie you over until completion of the final gallery (and because I’m always too excited to share the images with you!). Feel free to post them to social media and share them wherever you would like!
the turnaround time for editing of the full gallery is 2 weeks. you’ll receive an email link to an online gallery where you are able to download your images, share the link with family and friends, and order prints or albums!
Got a few more questions for me? Reach out! email me at info@emilymelissaphoto.com