Congrats on snapping up one of our Spring Mini magnolia sessions! Can’t wait to see you and capture some beautiful memories.

This session guide will tell you everything you need to know about what to expect, how to prepare and where to meet me once it’s time! So make sure to have a good read though and let us know if you have any questions.

You can text me on 021 277 1987 if you are running late on the day.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Make sure to plan warm outfits, especially for the kids at can be be really cold at sunrise/sunset when we do the session. Sometimes it can be quite warm, and if it is we can take the top layers off, but more often that not it is a bit chilly. So make sure to include a nice warm top layer in your outfit plans.

• With outdoor family sessions I’ll pretty much just position you in the best lighting at the time, give you a few instructions about how to pose yourselves, then step back and capture a mix of looking at the camera and interacting with each other.

• I’ll call out instructions as we go (such as lean your heads closer together, tickle the kids, turn your body a bit more towards me etc.) to make sure we are getting a good variety of shots. We will aim for some of you all together, then just roll with whatever different combos and individuals the kids are up for.

• These session will be taking place in the botanic gardens near the playground. Do not let the kids on the playground before the session as it may be impossible to get them off.

WHAT TO WEAR

Pinks and whites looks best in amongst the magnolias! Think about matching the colours of the flowers. Soft pinks looks beautiful for a softer overall look, and a really bright deep pink also looks great if you want to really pop! Dusty purples can also be quite beautiful.

The guys often look best in a nice button up shirt - not too formal but not so casual that you’re outdressing them! Flowy dresses are nice if you want to go extra-girly, but just jeans and a nice top look good too if casual is more your style.

Make sure to dress the kids warm. It will likely be cold! Merino layers under their good clothes, and jumpers for if it is particularly cold are always a good idea.

If you’d like to borrow something for the kids to wear from our studio wardrobe - just let us know and we can bring something along in their size! But still dress them nicely just in case they are too shy or it’s too cold for them to get changed there.

WHEN & WHERE

These sessions take place in the Christchurch botanic gardens, in the magnolia garden. See the map below to see the carpark (Riccarton Ave Carpark) I recommend as it is just a short walk from the magnolia trees.

If you arrive very early, we suggest waiting in the car so that the kids don’t run around and get cold/tired before we start the session. Do not take them to the playground before the session as it can be a struggle to get them off. It’s best to just keep them nice and warm in the car and then only get out just before your session time so you can walk straight over.

Just walk through into the magnolia garden at your session time and we’ll spot you and wave you over to where we are.

See some maps and photos below detailing where to go.

A week or two after your session, we will send through an email with a link to a gallery of about 5-10 of the best photos from your session. These photos will be unedited, so keep this in mind when looking at them!

From here you will be able to choose your favourite photos to be edited. If you’d like to buy an extras they are $50 each.

Once you’ve confirmed your selection, we will edit them up! Each photos is edited individually by hand in a fine-art painterly style. This includes tidying, skin edits, colour corrections and some other wee details to make each portrait perfectly magical.

About 2 weeks after confirming your selection, we will email though the final gallery of your fully edited photos to download in full resolution.

If you’d prefer to skip the unedited gallery and selection process, please let us know via email before the session and we will choose the images for you.

Once you have your digital photos back, you can also check out our range of prints and frames either in-person at the studio, or in our online store by clicking the button below. Any questions just let us know!

HEIRLOOM PRINTS
on fine-art paper

Our gorgeous prints come either a gloss or matte finish, and come as loose prints or matted prints. Matted prints are are ready-to frame, so they are perfect for if your wanting to get them up on the wall.

BOUTIQUE FRAMES
Custom made

These beautiful boutique frames are fully inclusive of a fine art print, frame design of your choice, premium matting, top-of-the-line UV protectant glass and full assembly, so it’s ready to go straight up on the wall.

Our ‘French Country’ and ‘Floral’ designs pair beautifully with all of our spring photos.

‘DEWDROPS’
Wooden wall art

The most beautiful handmade woodblock prints.

A creative modern way to display your artwork.