Life Documentary Prep Guide
CREATE TIME TO BE PRESENT IN YOUR BUSY LIFE. LET’S DO THIS RIGHT!
COMPLETE YOUR INTRODUCTION QUESTIONNAIRE
I will coach you through a personalized experience that allows you to be your whole self. I don’t expect (or want!) you to be anything you’re not.
- Complete your introduction questionnaire: Sit down and take some time for yourself and your family for this. You should have received this email (Subject line: [ACTION ITEMS] but let us know if you haven’t!
All of our clients are unique, so please take a few minutes to help us get a better understanding of your individual needs. Please fill this out within the first week so that we can begin creating your personalized storyboard. - build your mantras & affirmations: Leaning on your questionnaire as a reference, look at the words you listed for the feel you’d like your photographs to have. That’s our roundabout way of asking you how you want your photographs to make you FEEL. 🙂
BUILD YOUR AFFIRMATIONS
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Leaning on your questionnaire as a reference, look at the words you listed for the feel you’d like your photographs to have. That’s my roundabout way of asking you how you want your photographs to make you feel. 🙂
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Create some affirmations from these words and repeat them out loud to yourself as you look in the mirror. They should be in the positive form of something like:
“I love us for exactly who we are.”
”Our life may not be perfect, but it’s perfect for us.”
”I will embrace the NOW and be present to appreciate the little things that make us unique.”
”We will not compare ourselves to others.”
”We will love ourselves and the way we look, seeing what our most cherished people see in us.”Remind yourself of something you deeply cherish about your family and most precious people.
I suggest 2-3 varying affirmations to give you a well-rounded pre-session boost. I know it feels a little weird, but I SWEAR this works! I know from personal experience. 🙂
WORK ON YOUR MOOD BOARD
Start your mood board: We invited you to a secret pinterest board to help build the VIBE of your vision for your session. You should have also received a supporting email with the Subject Line: Let’s Create Your Vision Board on Pinterest.
book your mood board call to finalize wardrobe & SESSION STORYBOARD
WORK ON BEING MORE PRESENT
I hope you find this worksheet helpful and inspiring.
You know what I love most about this?
It’s inspired by your life.
We can find comfort in grounding ourselves in experiences, rituals, moments, and most importantly—gratitude.
You see, the only thing we are guaranteed in life is the PRESENT MOMENT. Let’s slow down and appreciate every aspect of the moment. This is about all the feels.
the week before your session
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NO HAIRCUTS OR SKIN TREATMENTS WITHIN 5 DAYS OF YOUR SHOOT: THIS INCLUDES TANNING, FAKE-TANNING, WAXING & FACIALS.
This can make your skin appear orange in photos and obviously tan lines are problematic in boudoir photos. Removal of tan lines is $25/photo.
- treat yourself to a mani/pedi: Be sure to treat yourself to a mani/pedi before your session! If this isn’t possible, be sure to have clean, neat nails because they may show in the photos. Please keep nail polish NEUTRAL. No neon colors or intense jewel tones. Brighter colors will draw unnecessary attention to your hands instead of that beautiful face of yours!
- hydrate your body and skin: Be sure to hydrate, get plenty of rest, and moisturize in the weeks leading up to your session. Nice, healthy, vibrant skin is your friend!
- have your own fashion show: Try on all your outfits one last time to ensure they fit nicely and that they feel like YOU at this moment in time. If you don’t love it, don’t wear it. If it’s fussy, it can create a sense of self-consciousness that we really don’t want because that can show through in your photos.
- clear your schedule for the day of your session COMPLETELY: we want to help you focus on yourself 100% and you can’t do that if you’re worrying about other stuff
the day before your session
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Repeat those mantras and affirmations
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Put all your items on hangers and in a garment bag if we’re going to another location. Try to group outfit components together on hangers so that you can keep track of items and not forget any favorite items!
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Iron or steam anything that has wrinkles!!
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Drink more water—we love plump, hydrated skin!
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Moisturize again so that you don’t have any scaly skin
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Organize any jewelry or props in a separate bag
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Plan your breakfast and snacks
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Pack deodorant, lotion, personal wipes, snacks, etc.
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Stretch or Yoga it out
your session day
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Repeat those mantras and affirmations
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Load your car up with all your goodies for your shoot—clothing, accessories, snacks, toys, essentials
DON’T FORGET YOUR OUTFITS. -
Drink more water—we love plump, hydrated skin!
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Moisturize again so that you don’t have any scaly skin
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Stretch or Yoga it out the morning of your session
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Be sure to EAT breakfast!
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Be ready to put the phone on silent and focus on you and your loved ones for the day
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Try to stay in the calm happy place of your life. Don’t let the little things get to you. You’ve done your homework, now it’s time to have fun together and celebrate your life. The session will be fun and relaxed. You’ve got nothing else to worry about today!
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Most importantly, don’t be rushed and BE PRESENT!
How do I prep for hair & makeup?
If you’ve opted for hair and makeup, be ready with clean, moisturized skin for makeup application. Bring your favorite lip color, if you are particular. There will be lashes included with makeup. If you have an inspired makeup or hair look, text it to us or drop it in your Mood Board!
Arrive on time
Our makeup artist often has other appointments. If you are late, you cut into YOUR hair and makeup pampering time AND shooting time. Please do not jam-pack your day. We don’t want you rushed to leave your session to run to another appointment either. It can really alter the experience for you!
Be present
Try to stay in the calm happy place of your life. Don’t let the little things get to you. You’ve done your homework, now it’s time to have fun together and celebrate your life. The session will be fun and relaxed. You’ve got nothing else to worry about today!
Where to be
If your session is taking place at my Kalamazoo studio, you can find us here: We’re the big yellow Victorian on Riverview Drive.
5932 N Riverview Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49004
Text me at 619.857.3717 if you need to reach me the day of your session. Please park in front of one of the garage doors and you’ll enter at the side door directly across from there. There is a set of stairs and a bronze oval sign there. 🙂
I can’t wait to see you & celebrate you!!
We’re going to breathe, move, laugh, and have fun!! The best thing you can do is prepare yourself to be open-minded to the process and yourself. Being present is a beautiful gift to yourself and your loved ones. That’s how the impact of your session lasts with you for times to come.
I’ll be showing you everything you need to know. Just remember—it’s not YOUR job to make great photos. That’s MY job! 😉
Take the pressure off yourself and just allow yourself to get lost in the movement and joy of the moment. You’ll be amazed at how good it can feel to just BE!
This runs deep. You’ll come out on the other side seeing yourself and your life in a new light!
I will be there with you every step of the way. Promise!!
