THE JULIANA SABO
FAMILY EXPERIENCE
I am so, so excited to create some family memorabilia for your walls!! I have been photographing families for almost a decade, and it is some of my favorite work that I do. Photographing each of my families is such a huge honor, and I can’t wait to have a blast together and capture some beautiful images!
My goal with this Family Guide is to help you prepare for your shoot and get the MOST out of your experience. Your family session is a record of this season of your life and a documentation of a piece of your children's childhood…so it’s my job to be sure you are fully prepared! In this guide you will find everything from suggestions for outfits, hair and makeup, ways to customize your experience, what to expect the day of your shoot, how your final gallery will work and everything in between! Please take the time to read it thoroughly to ensure you have all of the information you need to make your shoot the absolute best it can be!
My promise as your photographer is that I will make you look and FEEL like the best version of YOU! I want your shoot and your images to reflect exactly who you are, and I’m here to help ensure we make that happen. Use the content in this guide as suggestions, but feel free to reach out to me at any point in the planning process to chat about how we can make it personal to YOU and create images that you will look back on and love for years to come.
Can’t wait to see you!
xoxo, juliana
I'M JULIANA!
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I started my business in Houston, TX, shortly after my husband, Stosch and I got married! We had just moved to a new state and I was searching for a job as a radiation therapist, but in the meantime I had the opportunity to pursue the thing I really wanted to do - photography.
A few years later we moved back to Iowa to be closer to family and I re-built my business in Mason City, dreaming of the day I'd be able to take this gig full-time. In 2019, I officially made this my full-time job and have been so incredibly grateful to be able to serve my clients and community doing something I love!
in case we haven't met...
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire family experience, step-by-step! Your family session experience starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your shoot day!
01
If we haven't already, we will decide on date, time, and location for your session. Getting that gorgeous light for your session is always on the top of my mind. Ideally, this means scheduling your session within a few hours of sunset or sunrise, but this will depend on the season and location of your session. I will give you recommendations on time once we know our location! BUT, and this is a huge BUT, I will always, ALWAYS work around kiddos' schedules. We want to give your kiddos the highest chances of being excited about the session by scheduling our session at a time when they feel their best! Do you have something unique you'd like to try? Let's chat about it! I'm always open to trying something new!
planning your session
02
the week before
As we get closer to the day of your shoot, you can expect to hear from me with our meeting time, location address and final check-in! This is also the time to finalize your outfits, if you haven't already! Try everything on and take a look at the weather forecast to make sure your outfits still match what the weather is predicted to be. Sometimes April can give us summer temps and sometimes summer can dip to a temp cool enough to make kiddos feel just uncomfortable enough to not be happy about being outside to take photos.
Prep your kids about our session together! Hype it up like it's something you "get" to do instead of something you "have" to do! Tell them how much fun we're going to have and even let them come up with a few ideas of games they could play at our session! This helps give them a sense of ownership and excitement over our time together instead of something they just have to get through to get that ice cream!
03
the shoot day!
This section of the style guide could be its own book in itself! SO many fun things to talk about on the day of your shoot! Your shoot will be 30 minutes to 60 minutes in total (depending on the package you've chosen).
Let’s dive into what to expect each minute of your family session:
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL. And I don’t just say that because of my time…I say that because we are on the SUN’S time. Since we plan your shoot around the ideal time for golden lighting…being late means that you lose that time off of your shoot. Even being 15 minutes late means that we’ve lost 15 minutes of light. Once the sun goes down…we can’t shoot anymore! So, try to plan to be 15 minutes early for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you are more than 30 minutes late for your session, we will have to reschedule for my soonest available date (which is typically 2-3 months out).
the first 10 minutes
This is a time for me to make a connection with your kiddos to set us up for a great rest of your session! Many kids feel a bit shy at first, which is totally okay! We usually get some sweet cuddling into Mommy or Daddy photos if they're not quite ready to be out of your arms. I typically start with a few posed shots while the kiddos are fresh and still feeling a bit timid. Then, as they warm up and get a bit more excited, we'll play some games and have fun! This is really your time to shine! Think of a few things before your session that your family loves to do together that make your kids laugh! These make for some amazing authentic smiles for the whole family!
Locations
I love going to a location that is meaningful for you! In-home sessions are my jam, but if that's not for you, that's A-okay! Depending on the time of day of your session, some locations are better than others. If we are meeting around the golden hour in the evening or morning, open locations are perfect! If we are meeting at a time when the sun is high, we want to make sure we have plenty of shade both for comfort, but also for beautiful lighting! Let me know if there is a certain location you are hoping to use, otherwise, if you need recommendations, I'm more than happy to send some your way!
Posing + Shooting
The BIGGEST and most important thing that I want you to know about your shoot day is this: I am going to tell you what to do the ENTIRE time! You do NOT need to have any posing or modeling experience. Part of your investment in your family photos is my experience and ability to pose you and create moments that promote connection and showcase your family at this stage. So, there’s no reason to be nervous at all!
That being said, I do LOVE when a family comes with their own ideas on playing with each other and creating their own moments! Each family has their unique games they play that show who they are as a family and bring a beautiful type of authenticity to your photos. A "game" can be as simple as the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or as silly as leap frog! Anything that brings you together as a family and gets you close to each other is perfect for photos!
LET's talk locations...
Aside from choosing your outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your LOCATION is a huge part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your images. As I said before, I do love in-home sessions, but if we will be going anywhere else, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer but hear me out: the location might be absolutely beautiful, but if the sun is in full force creating lots of harsh shadows under your eyes, you're not going to love your photos…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your shoot…and let this guide your location choices!
If we are taking photos in your home, the vibe is easy! But if we are going to be out and about, think about if you'd like something in nature or more urban! Downtown Mason City offers a nice urban vibe, with some interesting walls for backdrops and unique settings - like stairs or street lamps. Nature scenes can be more on the green + lush side of things or more on the neutral + tan side, but this also depends on the season! Once I know what kind of vibe you're thinking, I can recommend a place based on what I think will have the best light at that time of day, then once we get there on the day, I will lead us to places that work the best at that time of day and season!
Now for the most frequently asked question: WHAT DO I WEAR!? Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can take your family photos from, "those are great photos," to "HOLY MOLY! Are you from a magazine?"! I know that sounds intense... but, if you wear something that you don’t feel confident in or that doesn’t photograph well on camera...it can ruin the experience for you! So, the Family Style Guide to the rescue! This section will break down my best tips for what to wear and how to style your family session outfits.
WHAT TO WEAR
1. be confident
The NUMBER ONE, most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: choose an outfit that makes you feel CONFIDENT. Our goal here is to make you look & feel as beautiful in your own skin as humanly possible, exactly as you are, so everything you wear should make you feel super gorgeous. Oh, and DEFINITELY try them on before your session so you know everything fits the way you want!
2. be yourself
At risk of sounding cheesy…staying true to yourself with your outfits is so important. When you look back at these images in 20+ years…you’ll want them to truly reflect YOU! If you aren’t someone who's into bright colors and patterns, then stick with the classic and ever-beautiful neutrals! Since I am such a fan of capturing each family in a way that showcases their uniqueness, I want to make sure that what you wear is who you are! This also means, your outfits will most likely also match the vibe of your house, which makes printing off your photos and hanging them up that much easier! If your home is full of color, choose outfits that have color that flows with your home and same goes with neutrals!
3. Patterns & Colors
If you're going for a simple vibe, keep those patterns to a minimum! I typically suggest choosing your outfit first, Mama, then planning the rest of the family around you. If you're wearing a pastel floral dress, keep everyone else's patterns pretty simple. A small polka dot on someone else might be fine, but no big bold stripes for anyone! If you're going bold and love all the patterns - either keep them in the same color scheme or consult color theory for complementary colors (this can be absolutely stunning!)
Do a little dive into family photos that you've been drawn to in the past or while scrolling Instagram. Does it seem pretty light and airy or bold and colorful? While choosing your colors, keep in mind that the color of your clothes can really determine the vibe of how your photos end up! Neutral or pastel colors (tan, white, light blue, light pink, sage green) usually end up looking pretty light & airy, with a nostalgic and, sometimes boho-ish vibe. Bright bold colors bring out the fun and exciting vibes! Both are incredible, but choose what works for you and your family!
Also think about the season you are taking photos in! Wearing Barbie pink in fall doesn't quite match with the backdrop of autumn colors, but makes those summer colors pop!
4. add layers
Wearing a scarf or jacket with your outfit can add a lot of interest to your photos! I'm not a huge layer person in daily life, so for me to add in a scarf would just look odd, so do what feels right to you. Wearing a sweater over another top can make for a really easy outfit change if you're looking for a variety of looks.
5. play with textures
Grab those cozy sweaters in fall and winter and slip on those breezy silks and linens for spring and fall! Mixing textures between everyone's outfits is a great way to tie everything all together! This adds so much dimension to your photos, especially if you're leaning toward the neutral, monochromatic vibe!
FAMILY portfolio
My family portfolio contains images of gorgeous families who made beautiful choices with their outfits! Not only does this serve as outfit inspo, but also gives ideas of what types of photos you can expect to see in your gallery!
click to see portfolio
THINGS TO AVOID:
Now, there’s a few important things to AVOID that are worth having their own section of this guide! As a general rule of thumb, these are the things to stay away from…
1. NEONS.
Neon colors reflect a color cast back onto your face and nobody wants to have a shrek green face in their family photos! But if you're going for an 80s themed session and those neons are unavoidable, let's talk. ;)
2. Sports/Athletic Wear + Big Logos
3. Distracting Items
Take off that Apple watch and take everything out of your pockets! I'll remind you on the big day, but leave as many valuables at home as you can since you might end up leaving them in the car anyway!
places to shop
I mentioned it earlier on in the guide, but I'm going to say it again: buying new pieces is NOT required for your session! But if you want to use your session as an excuse to shop a bit - I'm going to share some of my favorite spots!
This is the fun part...
TARGET
H&M
OLD NAVY
BODEN
great selection + good prices
the classic
ol' reliable for the whole family
bright colors + higher budget
JAMIE KAY
babies + toddlers
AMAZON
check out my lists for recommendations
PREP THE FAMILY
BRING THE FUN
Think of some fun games or activities you can do with your family! I always come with a few of my own, but you know your family best! Making it a fun, family adventure where the kids get to do some of their favorite things always make for the most genuine smiles! Be prepared to PLAY PLAY PLAY at your session!! Yes, we will get those posed photos, but bringing the play when we're not posing makes getting those posed photos so much simpler!
I mentioned this earlier, but it's important to state again! Kiddos do so much better when they believe their photo session is going to be FUN! Make sure dad is on board too and resonating anticipation rather than dread. ;)
IN-HOME ACTIVITIES
Having an in-home session? Activities you do at home are some of my favorite to photograph because your every day mundane secretly holds some of the sweetest and most cherished moments. My favorite photos of my family are the ones where I happen to grab my camera for crazy tickles on the couch or a hot cocoa date in the kitchen after playing in the first snow of the season. THESE are the moments you'll wish you could revisit once you're old and gray. Let's capture those moments so you can step back in time 30 years from now.
PRACTICE AT HOME
Practice taking your kiddos' photo so you can see their smile! Some clients even call the desired smile the "Juliana" smile! Make it a fun game and don't force anything. Keep it light! Let your kiddo take a turn and take some photos on their own. This helps them get interested in the whole photo process!
Think about what you want to remember from this moment in time
Feel free to bring a favorite toy, food, blanket, book, bike, or something that shows what your kids or family is into at this stage of life! If it's something that will distract from the rest of the session, we will save it for the last few minutes of our time together to bring up the energy and make sure we make the most of our time! If you are going to be bringing something like this with you, please let me know so we know how to plan your session around it!
PROPS & ACCESSORIES
Now that we have a better idea of the overall style for your session based on your outfits and locations, let’s add in the fun details! First, let me clarify: this part is TOTALLY optional! If you don’t want to add any props or accessories to your shoot… you don’t have to! All we need is YOU to make your shoot amazing. But, if you want to personalize your shoot even further and add in some fun “extras”... this section of the guide is going to help you!
I've got you covered!
Now, for the slightly less fun part...let's address a few quick things that could go wrong at your session. These are some frequently asked questions that I get about common problems that can pop up...and I want you to feel as prepared as possible! I've been doing this for a decade....so I've seen it all! And I'm confident that we will get you amazing images no matter what gets thrown our way!
frequently asked questions:
Here are some questions that I get often, and what to do if anything goes wrong leading up to your shoot date!
Click to view the answers to each FAQ.
This is by far the most asked question I get about things that could go wrong, which makes total sense...because bad weather happens all the time! If there is bad weather in the forecast for your shoot, rest assured that you have options and I am MORE than happy to reschedule! I typically wait until we are 24 hours out from the session to make a final decision about weather because it changes so often.
If there is a 60% chance of rain or LESS: It is TOTALLY up to you whether you want to move forward with trying to shoot, or if you'd prefer to reschedule to another date. If we shoot and it DOES rain...we will have to finish the session despite the weather (we can't do two shoots if you decide to move forward but the weather doesn't cooperate). But we can make some REALLY cute photos happen in the rain!!! However, if you have your heart set on glowing light and bright images...I'd recommend rescheduling to be safe.
If there is over a 60% chance of rain: My professional recommendation in these scenarios is to reschedule. Even if it doesn't end up raining, it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are really excited about bright, sunset light in your photos!
Wind: There has only been one time I've had to reschedule a session for bad wind...and it was CRAZINESS! Typically, we can shoot despite the wind if we are strategic with WHERE we shoot. But if there are crazy gusts and you would prefer to move to a day when we know your hair won't have flyaways... we can make that happen!
Fog: Typically, fog is only an issue with sunrise shoots.... but I've had it happen! If there is severely thick fog, it will impact your images because they will be cloudy and grey...which is not my typical shooting style that you booked me for.
Cloudy: I have a lot of clients who get worried about cloudy days because they think their images won't be as bright and beautiful...but rest assured, that's not true!! Cloudy days are actually AMAZING for photographers...because it means there are no harsh shadows!! Unless it is a seriously grey day with heavy fog or severe storm clouds...cloudy days are our friend!! AND they aren't as hot!!
That is COMPLETELY okay! We will make the final call 24 hours (or less if we have a our hearts set on a certain date) before your session. Part of the reason I only take 2 sessions per week is to leave TONS of room open for rescheduling if we need to for reasons outside of our control (i.e. sickness, weather, emergencies). Typically, you won't have to wait longer than a week if we have to move your date!*
*This does NOT include needing to reschedule because of poor planning, running late or any other reason. These reschedules are required to book for my next available Tuesday/Wednesday date - which is typically 2-3 months out.
MY CHILD JUST GOT A CUT ON THEIR CHEEK...HELP!
Mama, we've ALL been there! Don't worry one bit. I am happy to remove any large blemishes in Photoshop on your favorite images - you won't even know it happened! Promise! Now if it's a badly bruised eye or large gash, please send me a photo and we'll assess if it's something we need to reschedule for!
GALLERY DELIVERY
YAY! It takes about 3-4 weeks to edit your images, then you'll get an email with the link to your full gallery - AH!!! This is where you will be able to download, share and print all of your high resolution digital images. There will be many more images in your gallery than the amount included in your session package. You can choose to stick with the included amount or add on more! You can download individual images or the entire gallery at once. The next few pages of the guide will walk you through how to use your gallery and the best ways to print and display your new favorite photos. Be sure to come back and reference this after your session!
After your shoot, one of my favorite parts of the process is posting a sneak peek on social media within 3-5 days of your session. I truly get just as excited about your images as you do…and I go home straight from your shoot to edit a handful of my favorites and get them in your hands ASAP! You can expect 1-3 sneak peeks to be shared within a few days! If this is something you are uncomfortable with, please let me know as I always want to ensure your privacy!
The Sneak Peeks
Editing your final gallery typically takes about 3-4 weeks, and gallery delivery day is THE MOST EXCITING!!! I will send you the link to your final gallery in an email. This gallery is where you can easily select your images, download, share and print all of your high resolution digital files. Your gallery is SO easy to use, and my hope is that it makes sharing your images easy. Here’s a peek into what it will look like:
The Gallery Delivery
You will be prompted to log into your gallery with your name and email. This is for your safety and my records! This way, I know exactly who is viewing your gallery and downloading your images...and you know that random people can't get access to it without us knowing! Additionally, you can favorite images and I can see them on my end...which makes it easy for me to help you order prints and products!
Logging In
You will have a set number of images that are included in the family package you have chosen. I will send a coupon code and download instructions in the same email with your gallery link to give you full access to download that number of images. You will also have the option to purchase the entire gallery or add on images individually. If you purchase the entire gallery, you will be given a mobile app to easily access your images from your phone and the ability to download your images as many times as you'd like.
DOWNLOADING YOUR IMAGES
printing your images
I truly believe so deeply in the power of printing your images and holding them in your hand. There is something so special about having a physical copy of these memories to cherish and relive this phase of life every time you pick up your photos. I have physical photo books of my engagement photos, and yearly family albums...and I flip through them ALL the time (and so does my daughter)! You took the time to invest so much money into your family photos..why not print the images and have a physical way to cherish them and share them?
As you know, I do not have any purchase minimums or requirements in terms of printing your images. They are yours to share and print from whenever you prefer! But there is the option to purchase professional-quality prints and products through your online gallery. This is the ONLY printing option that I personally and professionally recommend in terms of quality and durability. If you print somewhere else, I can NOT guarantee that the quality of the images will look the same as they do online, or that the products and prints themselves will be durable.
My honest suggestion is this: if you want to print your images larger than a 4x6…the professional printer through your online gallery is the best way to go.
In the next few pages, I am going to walk you through the "shop" portion of your family gallery. This is where you can find prints, photo books, canvases, and more directly through my professional printer!
Photo Books
Prints & Canvases
accessing the shop
When you are inside your full gallery, you will see two options at the top: "GALLERY" and "SHOP". You can toggle between the two SUPER easily!
When you open up the shop, it should look like this! You will find all of the product options here. You can purchase prints, canvases, photo books, and more! I'll walk you through how to design each type of product over the next few pages!
When ordering prints, you will see all of the print TYPES in the left-hand column and all of the SIZES on the righthand column. Depending on which size you select, it will likely prompt you to "adjust crop" for each image.
It will open up a window that looks like this so you can customize the crop and be sure nothing important is getting cut off! I recommend centering the people in the photo for the best cropping.
ALBUMS + PHOTO BOOKS
One of my personal favorite ways to print your family images is in an album or photo book. They are such an elegant way to look through your images and make an amazing coffee table book! They are also the most customizable option - you can pick the cover material + color, plus you get to design all of the pages inside!
