Thank you for trusting me and Ivory House Photography with the honor of taking your family photos. These moments we capture on camera will be treasured forever and the resulting images are the legacy you create for your family. I take this responsiblity very seriously. At Ivory House Photography, we believe great photos start and are enhanced with a fun experience for everyone involved. I make it my mission to create an entertaining, relaxed environment where your crew can participate and truly show up and show off your bond. I look forward to capturing your always.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SHOOT
At Ivory House Photography, our goal is to provide a comfortable, holistic photographic experience. Family photos have been historically stressful, but they don’t have to be. My goal is for you to walk out of your family session feeling confident and closer to the ones you love. To ensure this, I guide you through the whole experience, from helping you with clothing selection to directing your crew on the day of the shoot. My hope is that with strong guidance, you can relax and let the professional take care of you.
LET’S GET YOU DRESSED
COORDINATE WITH YOUR FAMILY, DON’T MATCH.
Plan your outfits around a color scheme. For spring I love seeing brighter colors - teal, green, blue, and pink. During Fall I suggest earth tones, hunter green, navy, maroon and grey. When picking out tops, it’s best to stick with solid colors with pops of pattern. If everyone is wearing pattern, the visuals get confusing. Small floral prints or stripes are great as the base layer, then add a solid jacket on top of it.
CONSIDER THE FIT
Fitted is better than baggy. We often try to hide our bodies under loose-fitting clothing, but with photos, you actually want to avoid that at all costs. Loose clothing adds dimension to the unwanted areas. I promise to pose everyone in flattering ways! Adding a jacket or a scarf are great ways to cover “problem” areas without wearing baggy clothing.
TRANSITION GLASSES
If a member of your family wears transition glasses, you will need to decide whether to go without glasses or be wearing sunglasses in every photo. I highly suggest bringing a pair on non-transition glasses or going without. We cannot photoshop dark eyes.
WEATHER
We shoot pretty much no matter what the weather is. Overcast days make for some of the very best photos and wind makes for magical movement. If we are experiencing a downpour or a heat advisory, Ivory House will make the reschedule call on the day of the shoot. You will not be charged another session fee when rescheduling for the weather.
LOCATION
Family Mini Sessions are always held at a designated location, either the Art Center, West End Salvage, or Grays Lake. If we are scheduling a Legacy Session for you with a large group, consider one of these locations or the Des Moines Botanical Gardens. I’m also happy to come to your home if you feel it is a good fit for your family’s aesthetic!
MOBILITY AND DISABILITY
Please let me know if anyone has mobility issues, attention issues, or disabilities. I’m well equipped to accommodate all scenarios but would love advanced warning to put your concerns at ease and advise accordingly on the best locations and parking spots.
PROPS
Other than a cute blanket for family photos and clear umbrellas for drizzle, we don’t bring props with us. We prefer to be in the moment with your big smiles. If you do have a special prop that you feel would add to the experience, we are happy to include it in the experience.
THE NITTY GRITTY
The most common thing I hear before someone books a session is, “I don’t photograph well,” or “my family is very awkward in from of the camera.” Let me put your mind at ease. You don’t have to photograph well and awkward is totally okay. Making your crew look good is completely and totally my job. Rest assured that I photograph over 120 families a year. I’ve seen it all, and am a master at getting people present and having fun. You job is to prepare your families look and wardrobe and I will take care of the rest.
SESSION TYPES
FAMILY MINI SESSIONS (DESIGNATED DAYS) - $300
Mini sessions are ideal for the annual family update, updated couple’s shots, or for a dynamic human/dog duo. These 15-minute sessions held at the Art Center, Grays Lake or downtown DSM on designated family mini session days. Mini sessions can accommodate up to 6 faces (pups count as a face) and come with all the images from the shoot with a light skin filter applied..
LEGACY FAMILY SESSIONS - $800
Are you having a once-in-a-lifetime family reunion? Are four generations finally going to be in the same place all at once? This is a super special occasion and I’d love to document the moment. This package includes an hour of shooting at the location of your choice and can accommodate an unlimited number of people and puppies. The session fee includes 20 polished images, selected by our team, plus the remainder of the images from the shoot with a light skin filter applied.
TIMELINE
At Ivory House Photography, we aim for a speedy turnaround time and you can expect your photos within 7-10 business days of your shoot. You will receive a dropbox link with your images, lightly polished and in color and black and white. If you find you absolutely love an image, but would like a little additional polishing for your annual Christmas card, please reach out. We polish additional images for $25 each.
GRATITUDE
We know you have options. There are many incredible photographers in this town, and you chose to spend your time with us. It is our greatest goal, that throughout this entire process you feel seen, cared for, and extremely photogenic.
We are looking forward to photographing you.
Whitney and the Ivory House Team