I’m so excited about our upcoming Colorado Lagoon shoot! I put this together to go over the basics, and give some tips for an amazing session!

The address is 5059 E Colorado St, Long Beach, CA 90814. Park in the metered lot if possible. There is plenty of parking, but be sure to grab a few quarters before you go! 20 minute photoshoots go quickly, I want as much time as I can get!

Wardrobe is my most asked about question. Choose what you feel comfortable in! Keep it simple! I recommend picking a color scheme rather than stress about going matchy matchy. Put everyone in cool tones, or everyone in warm tones and stick with that. Layers are great! Often you can get two looks out of one outfit. Think about where your session is taking place. If we are shooting in an area with lots of grass and trees, steer away from a bright green outfit. Keep it simple. Try to avoid crazy patterns and stripes. Subtle is the name of the game. We want you to shine, not your outfit!

A few other notes pointers to make our shoot awesome….

1. Pull that family in tight! The closer the better!

2. Posture plus! Stand up nice and straight!

3. Hands. I move hands more than anything else. Touch is a huge part of your family. I’ll often ask you to reach down and grab your child’s hand, or rest one on your spouse’s shoulder. Again, anything that brings you close, I will do!

4. Slight angles make a huge difference. I may ask you to lift your head slightly up or down. It will feel like you are in the exact same position, but I promise there is a difference.

5. Poop. I will probably yell poop at your child at some point in our session. I’m not too proud to make myself look silly in order to get that shot of you and your kid cracking up! Any tips on what will make this happen are much appreciated! I will also make you do silly things. They feel silly, they photograph beautifully!

6. HAVE FUN! Let the kids be kids and run around! I will try to knock out the posed pictures at the beginning of your session so that the end can be pure crazy, somewhat structured goodness.

I think that pretty much covers everything! Please, reach out, with any additional questions or concerns! Feel free to call or text 562.547.4234 or email hello@wishingyouhappiness.com

By booking your session, you agree to these terms.

1. Online Gallery: Karen will provide the client an on-line gallery of edited photos. The online gallery will be available for viewing/sharing/downloading within 14 days of session date.

2. Payments: The clients agrees that the balance is due in full at the time of the session. Check, cash, and venmo accepted. Please let me know if you prefer to be invoiced via Paypal in advance. Client agrees to pay non-refundable deposit to hold date for session. If session must be rescheduled, deposit goes toward session at later date.

3. Model release: The client hereby assigns and grants Karen irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs of the client or in which the client may be included, for editorial, trade, advertising or any other purpose and in any manner and medium; the client hereby releases Karen Halker Miller from all claims and liability relating to said photographs. It is agreed that Karen may display and use the photographs taken for advertising, and promotions.

4. Karen takes the utmost care with respect to exposure, transportation and processing of photographs. However, in the unlikely event of the client’s photographs being lost, stolen or destroyed for reasons within or beyond Karen’s control, the latter’s liability is limited to the return of all payments received for the event package. The limit of liability for a partial loss of originals shall be a prorated amount of exposures lost based on the percentage of total number of originals.