Hannah lane photography

planning Guide

portrait session tips, location guidance,
outfit recommendations & more!

A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE

I am so excited to be working with you and I can’t wait for your portrait session! I know we are going to capture some beautiful images and I’m so honored you chose to work with me!

Even if you’re familiar with planning a photography session and you’ve done this a million times before OR if this is your first time ever hiring a photographer this guide will give you helpful tips and info that will allow you to make the most out of your session. Having photographed hundreds of portrait sessions over the past 14 years, I tend to get asked the same things over and over again. So I thought it would be beneficial if I put together a guide that walks you through everything from location ideas to outfit suggestions and where to shop to albums and purchasing prints after your session.

Thank you again for choosing to work with me and please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can offer any additional guidance leading up to your session!

– Hannah

Seasons

While I shoot most of my portrait sessions between March and late November, sessions can take place all year. Most of my clients choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.

A few things to keep in mind during each season:

TIME & LIGHT

Is there a "good" time to take photos?

I’ve found that there isn’t a “good” or “bad” time to take your photos. I normally plan sessions based on a particular “look” a couple has in mind, spring flowers for example, or based on schedules and location.

Sessions can last anywhere from a half hour to two hours and when I can—I love to begin sessions about two hours before sunset. I prefer to shoot when the sun is lower in the sky to avoid harsh shadows and bright sun patches. That being said, if little ones are involved I try my best to work around nap schedules and bed time. 🙂

I schedule sessions during what I believe will be the best light of the day – which means that it’s super important to be on time. If you’re late to an evening session, we could run out of light before we’ve finished shooting.

Location

Where do you want to take your photos at?

Location is one of the first things we decide on when planning your portrait session. The location will determine timing, outfit choices etc and it’s important that it’s somewhere you love to be or want to show off in your photos. Below are some options of places I photograph often, however if you have a spot in mind I’d love to hear it! I love shooting in new spots and the more creative the better!

click on any of the photos below to see a
full gallery from that location

North adgers warf

Folly beach
county park

james island
local park

the town of
folly beach

What to wear

Picking out what to wear for your session isn’t as difficult as you might think. I provide a few tips for colors and what type or patterns to avoid. I also suggest some places to find outfits that will achieve the soft intimate feeling in alot of my portrait sessions. Make sure to check it out before your session.

Rain Tips

If the forecast is calling for rain, fear not because rainy days can still be beautiful (if thats the look you’re going for 😁)! If you don’t want to have your portrait session in the rain then don’t worry! I will be keeping an eye on the weather leading up to your session.

If rain is in the forecast, I recommend rescheduling for either the day before or the day after (if you’re from out of town). If you live here then we can coordinate together on when the best time would be. Either way, don’t worry! Charleston weather is super finicky and if it’s calling for anything less than 50% chance of rain theres a good chance we’ll be totally fine.

If there is no other option than to do it on the original date then lets make an adventure out of it. The photos you see right here are from a maternity session that started out sunny and ended in rain. We made the best of it, they loved it, and we ended up in the ocean at the end.. because why the heck not?! We were already soaked. 🙂

If we are going to plan on shooting in the rain then maybe plan to bring a few props with you. If you don’t own a pair of cute rainboots, now may be a great time to order a pair – even if you’re just wearing them in between shooting locations. Or a clear umbrella that we could use for some cute photos.

Lastly, I will be working alongside you the whole time to ensure we can get beautiful photos out of your portrait session.

POSING

"What do I do with my hands"?

When it comes to posing for your session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I’ll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make the two of you laugh – and that’s the photo we’re actually looking for.

Throughout your session, I’ll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!

Pets

I know pets are a huge part of peoples family, which is why I love when clients choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.

I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. I won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.

If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.

Albums

THE PERFECT WAY TO preserve your family photos

One of the best ways to make your preserve your family photos for years to come is by ordering an album. These high quality professionally designed albums come in a variety of linen colors. These aren’t the same albums your parents’ family photos are in. They’re modern, lay perfectly flat and look incredible on a coffee table.

When to Expect Your Images

My typical turn around time is two weeks for your portrait session images. I know how excited I was to receive my family photos so I like to try and deliver them as soon as possible to my clients. Unless I have a holiday closure, you can expect to receive your photos between 1 and 2 weeks after your session.

Newborn Sessions

one of the first family photo’s you’ll take

If you have booked a newborn session I have a separate guide you can find by clicking the button below. Here i’ve included timing tips, when to take newborn photos, what to wear and what I suggest doing leading up to your newborn session. This is one of my favorite sessions to take and I am honored to be able to photograph your new addition!

I can’t wait to start planning with you and getting to know you! Feel free to email me any time at hannah@hannahlanephotography.com.

If you have any questions or would just like to chat, I’m here for you. I hope this guide helps make the process of planning your session details much easier and less stressful. I can’t wait to see you soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my guide!