I just wanted to take a minute to talk about the importance of the pre-session warm up.

What is this, you might ask? This is the photographer-child interaction time that occurs before we begin the session. I always suggest that you show up a little bit early, maybe 15 minutes, to your session so we have this time to get to warm up to each other. Especially with young children, it’s going to be a little bit scary interacting with someone they’ve never met before, especially with a big camera. I want to ensure I can really show off your child’s personality, so I want him or her to be comfortable with me and with the environment.

Keep everything relaxed and normal

If I were to just throw them into the middle of the session and there’s this stranger with a camera jumping around trying to get them to look and smile, your child is going to tense up and there may even be confusion. I really just want everything to be relaxed, fun and run smoothly.

Come early to give your child time to warm up

If you can arrive early, this will give me time to introduce myself to your child and let them warm up to me, and to try to get a vibe on how the session will go. Some children warm up right away, while others need the entire warm up time to start to feel comfortable and come out of their shells. And that’s OK.

Introductions

After I introduce myself, I will try to get to know your child. I’ll ask them questions about what they like, what they don’t like, sing songs, maybe play a game, etc. Just to break the ice a little, so by the time the session starts, your child is happy and more familiar with me. Making sure you’re there early enough to have this time is probably one of the most important tips I can give you for your child’s session.

Becoming friends

Once we’ve done a session and your child realizes that I’m not scary and we have fun together, the next session shouldn’t need much warm up time at all, if any. But for the very first session together, it is a must.

Also, check out 9 tips for preparing your child for their session HERE

CONTACT ME HERE friend to talk more about your session and what you and your child need! XO Summer

 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out about working together! I’m a Downers Grove family and small business photographer, but I work across Chicago and the western suburbs, including Hinsdale, LaGrange, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Wheaton, Burr Ridge, Glen Ellyn, Lemont, Naperville, Westchester and Lisle. If you’re wondering if I’m able to travel to your area, just ask!