How to Have a Stress-Free Family Portrait Session

How to Have a Stress-Free

FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION A N D G E T T H E P H OTO S O F YO U R D R E A M S

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About Reminisce Reminisce’s story started like many love stories: we both love creating, and it grew from there. We’re bound by a passion for activism, humanitarianism, and capturing photos for people during the best moments of their lives. Since then, our little photography family has grown! We’re proud to call several talented photographers part of our Reminisce family, as well as part of our sister-brand Noun Photography, which specializes in commercial work.

Our team-based approach means that no matter the celebration we are capturing, we’re in it together. We believe that your happiness with your photos starts from the first time we speak with you through the delivery of your images.

People matter to us, and we’d love to partner with you to photograph the people that matter to you.

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M E E T T H E FO UN D E RS

H E Y, I ’M MIRA N DA !

HI,IT ’ S ADAM!

(SHE/HER)

(HE/HIM)

I’m in my happy place behind the camera, in the garden, or playing my flute. I can switch from playing classical orchestra to recording pieces for symphonic metal bands; I love all kinds of music! I’ll never be on the Great British Baking Show, but I’ve finally tackled my fear of baking, which means I can offer you a cookie (and even a Tarte Tatin!) with confidence. I’m really glad you’re here and considering our company to create beautiful memories for you!

When I’m not photographing or working behind the scenes at Reminisce, you can find me firing up the grill to cook some tasty food or tackling a home project. I think space is cool, and I have the endless one-liners from Star Trek to prove it. Thanks for checking us out; we would love to hear from you and pair you with the perfect person for your photography needs!

C O N TAC T U S hello@reminiscemke.com 414.405.6693

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A Note From Reminisce We believe family portraits should showcase family memories. We are here to make sure you have heartfelt photos of your lovedones that capture connection, emotion, personality and fun!

Family portraits don’t have to be overly-posed and boring! No matter who you work with on our Reminisce team, we’ll direct you into naturalfeeling poses along with capturing those treasured candid moments.

And guess what - no bribes are necessary; kids love our sessions! We’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeves to make this fun and interactive for them, from letting them run around a bit, to a “silly face” break, to adding in your furry friends (pro tip: give your kids and dogs their special treats after your session and not during).

We’re proud to say that many of the people you see in our galleries we’ve known for a long time. We’ve photographed their wedding, their babies and their closest friends... we’d love to be a part of capturing your family through the years, too!

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What ’s Our Style?

Our sessions are relaxed and fun, capturing a blend of candid family photos, lifestyle photography and some images inspired by traditional family portraits but with a fresh and current spin.

We believe in letting kids be kids so their personalities really shine through in the photos! Sitting and smiling can be hard for some kids, so we try to really make it fun for them by getting everyone involved in walking, playing, smelling flowers or reading a book, for example, and these are often the photos our clients love the most.

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FAQ

So, what season is the best for family photos?

The short answer is whenever you can get everyone together! Family photos are about connections. The time of the season only matters if you have a specific look or aesthetic that you want in the pictures. We focus on creating timeless family photos that show your family’s connection and love.

Here in Wisconsin, we have the advantage of four seasons to work with, all having a different look and feel for photos.

SPRING When the snow clears, and we get that first whiff of “springtime air,” it’s as exciting as the Packers at the Super Bowl. We love photographing in the Spring because the light is softer, the grass and trees have that lovely shade of just-new green, and the blooming trees and spring flowers are so welcomed. It’s a time of new beginnings, longer days and a great time to capture your family. Some of our favorite places for family photos in the spring are Whitnall Park, Lake Park and Grant Park’s Seven Bridges.

SUMMER Though sometimes too brief for our liking, Summertime in Milwaukee is magnificent. The entire city seems to come alive with festivals, BBQ’s and Brewers Games!

Summer is a popular time for family photos because the kids are out of school and schedules are more relaxed.

If people are coming into town for a family vacation or family reunion, this is a great time to schedule extended family photos. We are happy to do multiple groupings of families; we know how hard it is to get everyone in one place! The long days during summer mean we can photograph much later in the day, which is helpful for people who work until 5 or 6. Some great locations for family photos are Milwaukee’s Third Ward, Humboldt Park, South Shore Park and Milwaukee’s lakefront.

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FA L L Is there anything better than a 70-degree full-color fall day in Wisconsin? While we can’t promise you that kind of weather, we can tell you that fall photos are wildly popular because we all love fall. Besides the changing leaves, the quality of the light is ethereal and golden in the latter part of the day, and family photos taken at this time are magical. The textures of the trees and the fading foliage add a lot of interest and dimension to the photos, and there are many places to have photos taken that are unique. In the fall, we love capturing sessions at Emerald Preserve Park, Hubbard Park and Riverside Park.

WINTER Here’s something you may not have thought of: family photos in the winter can be done right in your home!

In your familiar, cozy home, the images that result can be very personal. This is especially true if your parents are thinking of downsizing and selling the family home you grew up in. Having a photo of all of you in this special place can be a great memory for everyone. A family doesn’t need to be a large grouping of people, either! It can be just you and your kids cuddled up in bed or on the couch. Showing the connections you have in those meaningful places is what we love to photograph. It’s so much fun, too, to capture you all having a snowball fight, sledding, building snow people and snuggling with some hot chocolate.

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GENERAL TIPS FOR ANY SESSION W E A R ...

B E S U R E ...

• Weather-appropriate clothing.

• Fingers and toes are looking lovely, freshly-filed and painted, if applicable.

• Clothing that isn’t too tight. Your outfit should be comfortable enough to sit on the ground without feeling self-conscious or restricted.

• Clothing is wrinkle-free.

• To brush your teeth and floss before your session.

• A color palette based off of a theme. That way, people coordinate but aren’t matchy-matchy.

Examples of color themes are: sunset, jewels, beach, pastel, earth, etc. If a color theme isn’t your thing, you may also pick two colors and work off of those with different shades, patterns and textures.

• A good mix of textures, shades or patterns within your group to keep things interesting. However, half of the people in your session should wear solids so it doesn’t look too chaotic.

• Something that’s totally ‘you’! Feel free to showcase your personalities by adding personal touches like a statement pair of shoes, a stylish headband or a playful necklace or scarf. You’re welcome to email over some pics of your wardrobe if you’d like any input!

• To have a fresh shave, if applicable.

• To stay positive. If you’ve had a hectic day or the kids are out of sorts, just do your best to relax and not worry about the photos. We’re here for you, and we’ll still work our magic.

• To let your kids be kids. Some of the best candid moments come out of kids being cranky or goofy.

Don’t worry, you’ll get a sense when we need your help to direct their attention :) • To consider props. If your family has interests such as enjoying a favorite book, playing an instrument, etc., you may want to bring them along to personalize your session.

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AV O I D ...

• Very fine prints, as they can have a waving effect in photos.

• Very contrasty outfits (like a white shirt with black pants, for example).

• Makeup with SPF and minerals, as they can appear shiny in photos.

• Telling your kid(s) to smile. We’re great at capturing their attention and smiles, so you can just relax. You’ll get a sense when/if we need your help.

• Bribing children for smiles. We instead aim to make the session fun and engaging.

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FAQ

How do we pick a location?

An at-home or backyard session can be an easy option. Or you may have a location that is special to you and your family and would make a great photo op. But if not, don’t fret! We can talk you through location options that’ll make the perfect backdrop - Milwaukee’s Third Ward or lovely Whitnall Park, for example. At your session, we incorporate some creative lighting and perspectives... and a whole lot of fun.

No matter where, or what season you choose to have your photos taken we can capture creative, fun, and natural portraits that reflect the magic of your family. We have years of experience and the know-how to photograph in any location! We’re happy to consult with you and advise on your family photo experience.

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We would be honored to capture your family!

When you see your photos, you’ll hear the laughter of your loved ones, see the sparkle in their eyes, and feel their handheld in yours.

C O N TAC T U S hello@reminiscemke.com 414.405.6693

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