- Hannah
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
Tips by Fayetteville, Arkansas photographer, Hannah Golden
Your session will be like hanging out with a friend (me!) who happens to have a camera. I keep you relaxed, talking about your favorite things (pets, food, sports, whatever), and offer easy guidance if you don't know how to "pose" or where to put your hands.
I focus on photographing in open shade, which means out of the direct sunlight. I capture a range of close up and wide images to tell a story.
Before your first session with Hannah Golden Photographs, you will meet with me (Hannah) and not only do we discuss all things photography and your expectations, but we get to know each other a little as well. I want to move past the basics (name, age of children, any pets) to learn some of the things that make your family special — your favorite foods, favorite sports, favorite hobbies, and more. Once I know those, we can talk about them during your session.
When I ask you about your favorite things during your family photography session, your face lights up, your eyes are bright, and hopefully you have a genuine smile on your face. These natural reactions show through into the camera and into your final photographs.
Plus, when you talk about things that make your family happy, there is less "posing" needed as you are already interacting with one another while discussing happy things. I will give soft comments or suggestions, but because you are in a good mood and thinking about the camera less, your photographs become more true to your relationship and love.
Do you worry that in a session, even if I give posed suggestions, you just do NOT know what to do with your hands? I've got your covered, its super easy.
One hand should always be touching another person in your family—on the arm or shoulder, holding hands, visibly interacting with your loved one. Again, this shows through into the final photograph and portrays the natural and loving connection in your family.
The other hand depends on your personality and clothing choices. If you are wearing pants with pockets or belt loops, your other hand will be interacting with your own body at those points. If you are wearing something flowy like a skirt or dress, your hand is creating movement in the garment. This hand can also be on your hip, at your face or in your hair, or on another family member in the same way the the first hand is interacting to show connection and love.
And don't worry, I will easily remind you what to do with your hands throughout the session if it is needed. I am constantly checking each person to make sure the connections are shown and there is no awkward posing happening.
So no worries at all about what to do with your hands, that is my job to worry and correct.
The other important thing to understand about a family session that is outside with me is that I will always try to keep every family member out of the direct sunlight and in what is called "open shade." The main reason for this is that it prevents any squinting from sunshine in the eyes, as well as it keeps everyone lit in a similar manner. Sometimes I will take artistic license and play with backlighting, highlights, sidelights, and more for a fun and different look, but the majority of your photographs will feature shaded light.
If a session is indoors, we will have more consistent lighting or my own photography lights, so the best thing to understand for indoor photography is that I can control the light and I will make you look fabulous.
Any questions about what to expect during a session still? Email me.
Ready to setup a session? Are you located in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, or somewhere within NWA? Let's chat!
