Planning for an IOWA-Themed Extended-Family Session

Roberta, the grandmother in this family, inquired about a November extended-family session. She said she'd like a family portrait and that the session needed to be indoors due to her kids' work schedules.

She also asked if it would be ok to tell her family that they'd be in the studio no longer than an hour. Of course!

CLOTHING

Roberta said everyone would wear University of Iowa colors of black and gold, except one person would wear a white shirt. She texted photos of what they might wear. She also said everyone would dress casually, including perhaps shorts.

It is always helpful to collaborate about clothing in developing a plan. Clothing doesn't need to be matchy-matchy or themed. Even so, planning can make a world of difference.

I told Roberta that the white shirt would stand out near the darker colors. I suggested a muted tone instead. When they arrived, no one was wearing white. Their clothing combination looks great!

FURNITURE and BACKDROP

Knowing that Roberta's family would be casual, I brainstormed ideas for furniture as well as backdrop.

I knew we didn't want a dark bench, but instead something that would feed off Roberta's family wearing Iowa colors. I had a light-bulb moment when I eyed the perfect gold settee in my living room. I sent a photo of it to Roberta and she approved our using it.

I asked Roberta about a medium-dark backdrop and a gold backdrop. We decided on the medium-dark so that a displayed print would be more versatile in different types of decor. Also, I knew if we went too dark with a backdrop, the black clothing could disappear into a dark backdrop.

EXTENDED-FAMILY SESSION DAY

With a little bribery including cookies, we pulled off having the meet-and-greet, my giving instructions, fine-tuning last-minute clothing touches, photographing, and saying our good-byes (except for Roberta and her older granddaughter) in less than 45 minutes.

After everyone else left, Roberta and her older granddaughter selected their favorite family photo as well as a Roberta-and-grandchildren photo.

We also discussed where Roberta might place her main larger print. That potential print placement made a difference as to which mounts and print options I suggested to Roberta.

With larger extended families it usually takes longer before images are selected and anything is ordered. But we got everything figured out (which digital files and prints to order) that day. That way everything was all "tied up in a nice bow" in plenty of time for Christmas.

Do you have questions about a session or EIP? Ask away!

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This Family Loves IOWA!!!

Planning for an IOWA-Themed Extended-Family Session

CLOTHING

FURNITURE and BACKDROP

EXTENDED-FAMILY SESSION DAY

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