Welcome!
I'm so excited to work with you!
Thank you for booking me and for trusting me to capture you and your loved ones. It is truly an honor. I encourage you to read through this entire Welcome Packet in detail and complete the steps to ensure that we have a wonderful time and capture some beautiful images for you to cherish for years to come.
Important things to know
Office Hours and Communication Policy: I am happy to respond to texts, phone calls and emails between the hours of 9am and 7pm, although please note that email should be the last resort. Texts and phone calls will be answered promptly, email is something that I check twice a day and may delay my response time. Please do not text me or message me through social media between the hours of 7pm and 9am, I am a mom and do keep my phone on for emergencies so please respect that. During business hours, I am happy to answer any questions and am happy to respond to multiple texts!
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Booking Details: All of your booking details can be found through your booking link, found in your confirmation email. You will find your contract, questionnaire, date, time and location of your session. Please note that the exact time and location may be filled in as we get closer to your session date. You may make your final payment at any time through your booking link if you'd like. Otherwise an email will be sent to you three days prior to your session reminding you of the balance due on the day before your session.
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What to Expect: Now that you have booked your session, I will send you an email in the next few days to schedule a convenient time for us to have a quick phone call. Not only will it serve as a bit of an ice-breaker, but it will give us an opportunity to start planning the best location and session plan for you. I encourage all of my clients to reach out, text me with outfit questions or any other details that will make planning easier for you. I am here for you!
A week before your session I will reach out to confirm time, exact location and any other important details. I will arrive before your session time and ask that you arrive about 10 minutes early so that we can meet, little ones can begin to settle in to the idea that this "stranger" will be hanging out with you for a while, and to be ready when the light is perfect. Late arrivals will affect your photos because of the light so please be prompt.
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After our session, you can expect a sneak peek to be sent to you within 2-3 days. Feel free to share it on social media and I'd love it if you would tag Melinda Knutson Photography and share the love! I will be hand editing each image for you and your finished gallery will be ready in 2-3 weeks in most cases. If there are delays, for any reason at all, I will communicate that with you.
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When your gallery is complete, I will reach out and schedule a delivery time. I can come to you or you can come to me in East Asheville. At this meeting I will share your gallery and the links to access it and also answer any questions that you may have. I am happy to help you decide on wall art, printed photos, books and albums and what may best fit your needs and your home. I value your time so this meeting will be no more than 15-30 minutes.
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*A little about prints and print product available: The professional photo lab that I use is an industry leader in quality and customer care serving the US and Canada. All items are the highest quality and are delivered within a week. All products are certified archival quality, ensuring long lasting prints and keepsakes. I am happy to show samples of all available products. I shopped around to find the best for my clients and have been with them for several years now because their quality is exceptional and consistent.
Tips and inspiration
Photo session planning can seem overwhelming... what to wear, how to prepare, will the kids cooperate... so many things to think about! I'm here to make it easy for you! Here's where you'll find some valuable information that will make planning and prep a breeze and remember, I am happy to help in any way. Feel free to text me pictures of outfits, questions or concerns. I'm here for you!
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First, I recommend planning outfits in advance. Digging through your closet the night before will only stress you out!
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Here are some tips on finding the right outfits and preparing for your session so that you can relax and enjoy the experience.
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When choosing your outfits, the first thing to consider is the location of your session. Pulling colors and tones from the scene creates a beautiful aesthetic. If we are meeting in a garden, go for the soft, earthy pastels, creamy whites and light naturals. It's always these ideal to stick with natural colors whether they are deep and dark or lighter, take cues from nature and avoid the neons and brights. Take a peek at the images on this page for examples of location matching.
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Next, mama first! I always recommend choosing your outfit first and then building from there. I love maxi dresses, long flowing skirts, things that flow and have movement. You will be sending, sitting, snuggling, picking up little ones, etc and comfort is key. Wearing something that flows gives you freedom of movement and isn't too revealing when you sit down. Try to avoid bulky fabrics around your neck and shoulders. V-neck tops are flattering on all women, elongating the neck. Revealing a shoulder (or both) is beautiful, feminine and there is something so sweet about a little one snuggled on mama's bare shoulder. If you want a print, go ahead! Smaller scale prints are perfect because they won't over power the photo. Layers in cooler weather are ideal! Cardigans or shawls in chunky knits add texture and are perfect layering pieces. If dresses and skirts aren't your style, jeans with a kimono or long sweater works too! Keep the shoes weather appropriate and in neutral colors. Accessorize... hats are great if you like them, statement jewelry like rings, bracelets, etc are great too!
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Once mama's outfit is picked out, build from there. You can keep the same ideas of layering and flowing for the girls and comfort for movement for the boys. I highly recommend staying away from tucked in clothing, you will constantly be fidgeting and re-tucking. Henley shirts, long or short sleeve work great for the guys. Sweaters with texture are wonderful in cool weather. If you go with a button down style, keep it more casual and leave it untucked and skip the ties! Khakis and slacks that are easy to move in, dark denim works well too. Shoes will be seen in photos so leave the sneakers at home and opt for a shoe or boot in a neutral color. I highly recommend keeping the prints to a minimum, one or two prints minimum. Solid colors do work best and complementary tones and not all the same color are the goal. For diaper wearing littles, plan for something to cover the diaper under the cute dress because that diaper will show during some on the photos otherwise.
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I am always happy to help with the wardrobing part and colors, it's all part of preparing for your session so don't hesitate to reach out!
Getting the kids to cooperate
It's easier than you think. I don't expect them to cooperate. My only expectations of little ones is that they be kids. I will ask them to snuggle you, hold your hand, take a walk with you, look at a bug or a pine cone, find a bird in the sky, put their cheek next to mama's cheek, touch their nose to daddy's nose, tell me about their favorite toy.... be silly, snuggle and laugh, these are the moments that you want to freeze in time! In my many years of experience with kids, if we don't expect them to pose and look at the camera, it is so much easier. We know what a photo session means, they don't quite get the meaning of it, especially if it's not something they do often and unknowns can be unsettling to them. So here are my suggestions:
First, and most important, be sure they are well fed and not tired. This may mean a little bit of a later nap that day for an evening session, it's one day and it will be worth it, trust me.
Second, tell them that you are going to (wherever we are meeting) to meet someone to have some fun. Tell them that you will be snuggling, walking, playing, being silly, etc. and that I will take a few pictures while you have fun and spend time together. That doesn't make the photos the big deal, you get to be together and have the same fun as usual in a new spot... that is the big deal!
I always take a few minutes to talk with you before a session, it helps little ones get used to me being in your space and get used to me. During our session, I will ask that I be the one to get their attention. If we are all calling their names and talking to them at the same time, they tend to get overwhelmed quickly. I am patient and know that it takes them a bit to trust me but when they do, everything flows beautifully. Most sessions end with me having new little friends and I get high fives, even hugs!
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Even with all of the planning and preparing, we may still have some moments where we need to take a break and that is fine!!! I factor in extra time for these moments, it is part of working with children... little humans with big emotions!
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In the end, it may feel chaotic and that's alright! Parenthood is chaotic and there is so much beauty in that chaos. It's my mission to capture you authentic connection in this season of your life, chaos included.
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A few more things
It's always a good idea to bring a few "just in case" items. I recommend tissues, baby wipes, humidity proof hairspray, a favorite story book, a little snack, water and a blanket that works with your outfits.
Cell phones should be out of pockets... yes, you can see them in your pocket in photos.
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If you are planning to include pets, take pups for a long walk to burn off energy before our session. Bring treats for bribery and a friend to take care of your pup after we get a few photos with them.
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I am excited to work with you and I hope this planning guide helps so that you can relax and enjoy our time together. Again, I am happy to help with any part of the planning process!
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