Portrait Session Details & Tips

SESSION CHECKLIST

Special note on portraits during COVID-19…Safety first! I will check in with everyone the morning of the shoot and make sure we are all 100% healthy (no sniffles or runny noses for the time being) and I am waiving my 2nd re-schedule fee if anyone if your party has COVID-19. Let me know any further questions or special requests regarding this.

√ WHAT TO WEAR & DO’s (see galleries on this page for some inspiration!):

  • This is less fashion shoot and more about connection! Less is more - go classic if in doubt.

  • Dress for the season. We want everyone to be comfortable.

  • Reflect your style and be yourselves! But if in doubt…go neutral or soft palettes of your favorite colors.

  • Don’t match too much, but do compliment each other.

  • Add a pop of color! Corals, rusts, greens, magenta etc can liven up a serene neutral scene.

  • Ladies: you can’t go wrong with 3/4 sleeves in warm weather.

  • Soft palette of blues, khakis, and neutrals - looks great in nature & seaside anytime of year!

√ WHAT TO WEAR & DON’Ts:

  • Avoid one person wearing all black garments (there are exceptions, but all black reads like an ink spot in most photos), dark navy blues (they read like ink spots too in photos), reds (red distracts), and all white (reflects too much light). Exceptions to this are if EVERYONE wants to wear black, or all white.

  • Avoid logos of any kind, kindly.

  • Avoid sneakers - wear flip flops, sandals, dress shoes, canvas boat shoes etc - or everyone go barefoot on the beach!

  • Leave phones and other bulky things in vehicle or in carryall bag - they are not flattering and will distract us all from the moment!

  • No sunglasses please, but stylish hats are fun if your eyes are sensitive.

√ WHAT TO BRING - everything is optional, don’t over plan!:

  • Feed everyone, esp kids, a light meal or big snack 30 minutes before session.

  • Bring water for everyone.

  • Bring crumb-less/no mess snacks - non-chocolate trail mix, gummi bears, or apple slices usually do the trick.

  • Bring hairbrushes & flip flops if we need to walk and re-style

  • Bring bribes! What can you bribe your little ones and kids with? Only you know…but what has worked in past are gummi bears (or favorite non messy candy) and promises of trips to ice cream after!

  • Bring a pretty favorite family blanket - we may do a cozy impromptu family huddle on the beach!

Throw all of this out the window if you have something else in mind for your session! You do you. :)

WHAT TO EXPECT

As you look around at the images of our clients at Lumina Life Photography - what do you see?

We strive to create images that will grow in meaning year after year.

To achieve these iconic moments we will guide you along and keep things moving toward authentic connection.

We will pepper in a couple of traditional “portraits” here and there in your session (usually early on), but the real magic for us is when you forget we are there and just start having fun. Those are the images you will want to print and enjoy for many years to come.

What we ask above all, is that you trust in our experience and unique process.
Allow us to take you on a fun portrait journey.

LUMINA LIFE SESSIONS

Check out our dedicated High School Senior Page HERE too!

$450

Includes:

  • Session Guide link

  • custom 45-60 min session

  • 35 hand edited images delivered in high resolution instant download sharing gallery 7 days from session

  • Fun sharing app for your phone

  • $50 travel fee for any locations outside of Portsmouth NH/York Maine area

  • Minor retouching on 5 images included. Additional requested retouching $50.

MORE DETAILS

  • We can book 2 days to 6 months in advance - one plan A, and one plan B/weather date is recommended. We are not available on Sundays. I can work with any schedules (happy baby any of day is best! lol), but very best light on sunny days is early evening (1/2 hour before sunset). Cloudy days are much more flexible. One tip: wind dies down at the beaches around sunset, and people start to disappear from beaches after about 5-5:30pm.

  • The $450 session fee is due to secure your session date. If session needs to be post-poned, we can forward this to any session within 12 months of booking.

  • Any artwork, prints or albums may be purchased separately at any time on your online gallery or at a lab of your choosing. Never any minimum or maximum orders.

  • We may book sessions back to back, esp during peak seasons (July, August, September & October), so please plan ahead for parking etc and arrive promptly and ready to be photographed so we can make the most of your scheduled time slot. Text Geneve at 207-475-3000 with any questions.

  • Life happens - we get it! You may reschedule once within 24 hours of session for no fee, and $125 rebooking fee for subsequent less than 24 hour reschedules (exception - if someone in your party has COVID-19, RSV, FLU or any other sudden illness, there is no re-schedule fee). Unless other arrangements are made, no shows with no notice will not be refunded or rescheduled.

  • We will post all images to your password protected sharing gallery 7 days from your session. The full gallery will be available for 12 months.

  • Due to copyright and “distraction” :) issues, please, no iphone or smart phone/tablet by anyone (participants/spectators etc) use during session.

  • By hiring Lumina Life Photography you agree to our copyright policy: Lumina Life Photography retains all copyrights and usage rights to all images. You will have full personal printing use and social media sharing permission for all images that come with your package, but may not publish them in any professional publications including magazines, websites, business or commercial social media, or newspapers without prior written consent and credit given to Lumina Life Photography. Thank you!

Inspiration Gallery