PORTRAIT SESSION EXPERIENCE GUIDE
welcome
Thank you for booking us during this incredibly special time in your family's life. We are so honored to be a part of helping your family preserve memories that will last for generations to come.
We are a full-service portrait studio that is dedicated to serving your family with stress-free portraits, timeless photography and handcrafted heirlooms for your home. We understand that being a parent is full of challenges, so it is our mission to make your portrait experience simple, tending to the details for you.
This guide will help showcase what is possible for your portraits, everything we do together is completely custom-designed for your home, your taste and your lifestyle. We can't wait to create something amazing just for you.
idalia team
our
promise
At Idalia Photography, we are dedicated to creating beautiful works of art that will last a lifetime. Our commitment to you is to craft your portraits using only the highest-quality archival materials, ensuring that your photographs will become treasured heirlooms for generations to come. Every piece of artwork is handcrafted in the USA with the utmost care and attention to detail. Let us help you transform your home with meaningful works of art.
maternity sessions
Maternity sessions take place between Weeks 28-32 once your belly has popped but before you get too uncomfortable. Sessions are custom and tailored to you and can take place at the studio or at one of our favorite local spots.
newborn sessions
Newborn sessions take place within the first 2-3 weeks of birth to ensure those curly sleepy poses. Posed newborn sessions take place at our studio in Point Pleasant and lifestyle sessions take place in your home in Baby’s nursery or the master bedroom.
milestone sessions
That first year just flies by! Come back to the studio for milestone sessions to remember every stage! Offering tummy time, sitter, cake smash, and one year portraits in studio or on-location.
family sessions
Children grow and change so fast so the annual family session is incredibly important for documenting each season. We photograph family sessions mainly from May through October to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
The PROCESS
01 OVERVIEW We can’t wait hear about what milestone you ’ re looking to document! All of our portrait experiences are completely custom and designed to create beautiful artwork for your home, so we’ll want to talk about your vision and how you’d like to display your artwork. We offer both in-studio and lifestyle sessions, providing the flexibility to fit your session vision.
02 PLANNING AND PREPARATION Once you ’ ve booked, we ’ ll begin to craft your session. Because we believe your images should decorate the walls of your home, we plan your session with your home decor in mind! Let’s customize a session to match your taste. From choosing the color palette that will best complement your home to choosing outfits for each individual family member to scheduling the best session time, we’ll work with you to plan every detail of the session
03 SCHEDULING For portrait sessions, we’ll select your date upon booking so we give ourselves plenty of time to prepare. But if you ’ ve got a newborn on the way, we have a uniquely flexible booking plan: after you book we’ll hold a spot in our calendar for you, and just send us a message within three days after your little one is born so we can put your name on our next available date!
04 ENJOY YOUR SESSION When your session day arrives, professional hair and makeup can be provided for you and we’ll guide you through every pose and prompt, capturing classic portraits and candid moments, too! Whether you choose an in-studio or lifestyle session, you can rest assured that all of our preplanning will result in beautiful artwork to hang on the walls of your home and cherish in a custom album
05 DESIGN YOUR HEIRLOOMS Your precious family heirlooms are the most important part of the whole experience…but who has the time to make them!? This is why your collection includes a Reveal & Ordering Appointment so we can create your next family heirloom immediately! We will walk you through all the options and take care of the rest.
The S gnature Sess on Exper ence
TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR WALLS
HAIR AND MAKEUP
REVEAL & ORDERING APPOINTMENT
WARDROBE GUIDANCE
PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
DELIVERY/INSTALLATION
ENJOY YOUR PHOTOS EVERY DAY!
wardrobe
Let’s meet over Zoom so we can help you choose your outfits.
make up & hair
Come completely relaxed & enjoy being pampered.
Signature portrait sessions include professional hair & makeup.
studio location
Our studio is located in Point Pleasant, NJ.
If you’d like to come for a visit before your session just let us know!
Located at: 1315 Beaver Dam Road Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Idalia Photography Studio
SELECTING THE LOCATION
ALTERNATIVE OPTION
on location
Prefer to stay home or venture outdoors? From your very own living room to your favorite neighborhood park, lifestyle photos are for families who want us to pack up our cameras and come to them!
For newborns, lifestyle photos are taken in your cozy master bedroom or their brand new nursery.
Meanwhile for family, we can venture out into one of our favorite local spots or a place that is meaningful to you
heirlooms
Once your images are ready, you'll view them during your virtual Reveal & Ordering appointment and choose the products and images you'd like to purchase. We'll assist you with creating tangible heirlooms to display in your home for years to come. This is our favorite part of the process because it ensures your images won't be forgotten in an online gallery or an old hard drive.
albums, wall art, & keepsakes
yourHEIRLOOMS
Our greatest passion as photographers lies in creating tangible heirlooms to remember life’s milestones! We don’t believe that sending along a clickthrough digital gallery is good enough for you.
The story of the day your marriage began or the day you welcomed a baby into your family deserves a little more fanfare! And your images deserve more than to hide away forever on your hard drive That’s why we choose to offer a full-service experience to our clients. This means that your photography experience won’t end with just an online gallery.
We want to help you preserve your images, so we’ll do everything we can to make it easier than ever to get your images into a beautiful heirloom, onto your walls, and into the hands of the people you love most
your legacy in ALBUMS
Albums are a way to step into the past and experience it. They’re a way to share a moment with someone else so they feel like they lived it, too.
We believe albums are at the core of what we provide here at Idalia Photography. We approach every session and every wedding day with the eventual album in mind, which is how we ensure each couple walks away with immersive, vibrant heirlooms.
Because truth be told, years from now you shouldn’t be pulling up images from an old hard drive with obsolete technology. Instead, imagine your future 5-year-old daughter asking what your wedding dress looked like or your 10year-old son asking what he looked like as a newborn and being able to grab an album off your coffee table as you say, “Well, let me show you!” Talk about a beautiful moment!
HEIRLOOM ALBUMS
“Words cannot adequately describe how beautiful our wedding album came out! Alex uses a high-quality lab to ensure that her couples have an heirloom album to share for generations. We are truly grateful to have had the pleasure of working with Alex of Idalia Photography for our wedding. She is top-knotch in every respect. We highly recommend Idalia Photography for beautiful photos and a stress-free wedding experience!”
- M A G G I E
framed artwork
You may have inspiration galore on Pinterest, but you may also feel stuck when deciding how to put it together in your own space. Whether you want to decorate a small entryway or fill your staircase with portraits of your milestones, we do it all.
We take the stress out of creating those gorgeous displays by custom designing to your space; removing the guess work while ensuring you love it once installed in your home. Giving you the weekend with your spouse, rather than spending time choosing frame finishes and searching for measuring tape.
We've collaborated with top-tier manufacturers and distributors specializing in crafting timeless custom frames. Our careful selection of molding options complements our photography style perfectly
At the heart of our commitment to preserving your special moments is the artistry of handcrafted frames. Each frame ensures not only the preservation of your memories but also adds a touch of unparalleled craftsmanship that speaks volumes.
Our photographs are printed on museum-quality, UV-resistant, 100% cotton paper, framed with acid-free matting, and protected by shatter-resistant acrylic. Choose from our conservation-grade luxe line for long-term preservation of artwork or the more budget-friendly lite line for an economical yet exceptional experience.
didyouknow?
Research indicates that children raised in environments filled with family photographs develop heightened self-assurance and a deeper sense of belonging. In our current digital era, it is crucial for parents to emphasize the significance and influence of tangible prints.
Being immersed in an environment where their presence is captured in images alongside cherished family members aids children in discovering their identity and place in the world. By witnessing their family's narrative visually, they cultivate a stronger connection to their roots and a greater sense of belonging.
framing includes
:
DESIGN CONSULTATION
CUSTOM MOCKUPS & SIZE/MOLDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR SPECIFIC WALLS
ARTIST RETOUCHED IMAGES PRINTED ON UVRESISTANT, 100% COTTON ARCHIVAL PAPER
VARIETY OF CUSTOM MOLDINGS TO CHOOSE FROM
ACID-FREE MATTING AND OPTION TO INCLUDE CONSERVATION GRADE ACRYLIC
FOR GALLERIES OF THREE PIECES OR MORE: INSTALLATION IN YOUR HOME (NJ/NY/PA)
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
digital design process
Planning the layout, design, and sizing for your walls on your own is daunting, but with our special software, we make it easy to envision exactly what the final product will look like
delivery & installation
Effortless Elegance: Custom Frame Delivery and Installation Made Simple
We know you ’ re busy, so we prioritize a seamless experience for turning your memories into art. Our custom frames not only reflect personalized craftsmanship but are also delivered to your door with precision and care.
1. Stress-Free Delivery
Forget the hassles of traffic or worrying about the safety of your frames. We will ensure your custom frames arrive in pristine condition, preserving the sentimental value of your artwork.
2. Professional Installation, Your Way
Our service extends beyond delivery – for galleries of 3 pieces or more, we offer professional installation right in your home We ensure flawless frame placement, aligning and securely mounting them to showcase your artwork perfectly.
3. Convenient Scheduling
Your time is valuable Choose an installation time that suits your schedule We provide flexibility, aligning our services with your convenience.
how to get started
01
Grab a sheet of 8.5"x11" paper, tape, and your phone. Find the empty walls in your home that you’d like to see filled with beautiful framed prints of you and your loved ones. Turn the sheet of paper horizontally and tape it to the center of the wall where you’d like to see your wall art
02
Step back as far as you can, turn your phone horizontally, and take a picture of the entire wall including the furniture that is below and next to the wall. This will help give us a sense of scale. Please take the image straight on and not at an angle
03
Email the photos to info@idaliaphotography.com and stay tuned for an email to schedule your art appointment! We can’t wait to help you fill your walls with beautiful images!
As your family grows, we’d love to be a part of capturing those special milestones and helping you preserve those unforgettable memories.
5 TIPS Where to display your portraits
Display portraits in spaces you pass frequently. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Imagine a gallery of frames that can expand as your family grows.
Allow your portrait to be the focal point of the room.
Balance a large piece of furniture or a window with a pair of frames on either side.
Lean frames on shelves or within bookcases to create visual depth.
let ’ s make your wish list!
LOCATIONS FOR GALLERY WALLS
Living Room Hallway Bedroom Stairs Dining Room
LOCATIONS FOR SINGLE PORTRAITS
Living Room His Office Her Office Hallway Nursery Bedroom
ALBUMS / KEEPSAKES
Which frames can you imagine on the walls of your home?
what to wear
Wear something that complements the selected color palette and setting and that you’re comfortable in! Play with layers and texture. Be sure to coordinate, not match. Ladies, take one of the colors from your outfit and use a similar color in your partner or child’s shirt or bottoms. Add layers, coordinating colors, and accessories to create a perfect look. Definitely avoid bold prints or logos as they tend to stand out too much and are distracting.
shoes, purses, and wallets
Keep your location in mind when choosing shoes. For beach, barefoot is a great option, or flats.
Purses tend to get in the way and wallets tend to be bulky so try to remember to leave those behind.
tips
KEEP YOUR LOCATION IN MIND.
Try to match the “dressiness” of your outfits to the location you have chosen for your shoot.
When shooting at the beach, relaxed is best and flowy dresses are a great option for the ladies!
COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH. Be sure to choose outfits in coordinating colors but please do not match your outfits exactly. Choose colors that are complementary.
CHOOSE FITTED CLOTHING BUT ADD LAYERS. Fitted articles of clothing are always nice whereas baggy clothes won’t be as flattering.
AVOID LOGOS AND BE CAREFUL WITH PATTERNS. You don’t want your photos to look like an advertisement for your favorite clothing store so stay away from graphics. Also, if you are going to choose a pattern, let the pattern be big! The camera can’t pick up super tiny patterns – try to avoid them whenever possible!
WEAR COLORS THAT LOOK GOOD ON YOU
Remember to complement your skin tone!
HYDRATE AND BE MINDFUL OF YOUR FOOD. At least two days before your shoot, drink plenty of water, and avoid foods that might make you feel super bloated on your shoot.
KEEP FACE and LIPS MOISTURIZED. This will help your makeup and lip color apply more evenly and look much better in your pictures. Bring your own lipstick for touching up.
GET MANICURE/PEDICURE. Your nails and toes will be in some of your favorite poses, so please take time to have them done, preferable in a neutral color.
Thank you
Thank you for considering us to capture this season. We can’t wait to work with you. Feel free to email us at info@idaliaphotography.com with any questions during the planning stage!
All the best,