Preparing for your photo session shouldn’t feel like a chore. In fact—it should feel like stepping into the opening chapter of your next adventure. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, updating family portraits, honoring a new season in life, or getting epic fantasy portraits at your favorite Renfaire, the right prep sets the tone for photos that feel real, relaxed, and beautifully you.
Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds of couples, families, seniors, cosplayers, LARPers, and brand-new parents, and one thing always holds true:
✨ The more comfortable you feel, the more magical your images will be.
✨ The more prepared you are, the less you need to think about anything except having fun.
This guide breaks down my go-to prep essentials so your session is smooth, stress-free, and full of genuine connection.
1. Hydrate, Snack, and Sleep Your Secret Superpowers
It sounds like the advice of a worried healer NPC, but trust me these three simple things make a huge difference.
Hydrate:
Drink water the day before (and the morning of). Hydration helps your skin naturally glow and keeps energy levels steady.
Snack:
Bring a light snack—granola bar, fruit, trail mix, crackers. A fed human is a happy human, and we do not need “hangry” energy for photos.
Sleep:
Even one solid night’s sleep the night before will help you feel refreshed and confident.
✨ Pro Tip: If your session involves walking, adventuring, or wrangling littles, bring a small bag with snacks + water. Future you will say thank you.
2. Empty Your Pockets + Remove Hair Ties
The tiny details that make a massive difference.
Phones, keys, wallets, AirPods, hair ties around wrists they all create odd bumps or dark lines that show up in photos (especially close-ups or romantic poses).
Before we start shooting, do a quick reset:
Take everything out of your pockets
Remove smart watches (unless you love the look—totally your call!)
Slide hair ties off your wrist
Tuck sunglasses into a bag
✨ Pro Tip:
Have one secure bag where we can stash everything so your hands are free and your pockets stay flat.
3. Prep Kids the Right Way (This One Is Huge)
If your session includes kids, this tip is the difference between a tough experience and an amazing one.
Many parents feel tempted to say:
❌ “We’re taking pictures today behave.”
But that creates pressure and anxiety.
Instead try:
✔️ “We’re going on an adventure to meet my friend Jen. She takes fun pictures!”
✔️ “We’re going to play games and explore for a little bit.”
✔️ “You get to help me make some really cool photos today!”
Kids respond best when the session feels like:
Play
Curiosity
Exploring
Following silly prompts
Connecting with their grown-ups
Not a performance.
✨ My job is to make the session fun.
Your job is to simply enjoy your kids exactly as they are.
4. Bringing Pets? Perfect. Let’s Set Them Up for Success.
Pets are family, and they photograph beautifully especially when they’re relaxed.
If you’re including a furry (or scaly) friend, prep a few things:
Bring treats
Bring a favorite toy
Bring a leash that matches your outfit or is neutral
Bring a helper if the pet will only be in some photos
Bring waste bags (yes, this matters)
✨ Pro Tip:
Let dogs sniff me or the environment for a minute before we start. It helps them settle and get comfortable.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Relax (Truly.)
You don’t need to:
Know how to pose
Know your angles
Be a model
Fake a smile
“Be photogenic” (that’s my job, not yours)
All you need to do is show up as yourself.
I will guide you the entire time with:
Easy prompts
Movement-based posing
Relaxed moments
Genuine interactions
Gentle direction that still feels natural
Your only job?
✨Enjoy the humans (or creatures) you love.
✨ Be present.
✨ Let the experience be effortless.
The best photos happen in moments of real connection not forced perfection.
6. Wardrobe Prep (Optional But Very Helpful)
If you want an extra bit of polish:
Try everything on a few days before
Steam or iron outfits if needed
Bring lint rollers for darker clothing
Skip neon colors (they cast odd reflections)
Coordinate instead of match
Avoid heavy logos that can distract from your faces
Bring backup options if kids or weather might get messy
✨ If you need help styling or choosing colors, I’m always here to help—just send me photos!
7. Think About Your Hands
Hands are sneaky. They show tension quickly.
Right before your session:
Loosen hands
Shake them out
Apply lotion if it’s dry outside
Remove chipped nail polish
Trim or file rough nails
It’s a tiny detail but shows up in every pose.
8. Trust the Process Magical Photos Come from Comfort, Not Perfection
The best sessions aren’t about:
❌ perfect weather
❌ perfect outfits
❌ perfect behavior
❌ perfect posing
They’re about:
✔️ connection
✔️ movement
✔️ laughter
✔️ tiny moments
✔️ real emotions
✔️ the story you’re telling right now
I’ll guide the whole experience with a mix of candid prompts, guided poses, creative ideas, and fun little moments. Every session family, maternity, senior, portrait, couple, cosplay, fantasy, or LARP gets the same care and storytelling magic.
Your session should feel like a fun chapter of your story not a stress-fest.
With a little preparation and a lot of heart, we’ll create images that feel warm, honest, connected, and magical… the kind you want to print, frame, and keep forever.
If you're ready to book your next adventure, you can always reach me at:
📸 GamerGurl Photography
💌 @gamergurl_photos
🌐 www.gamergurlphotos.com
Let’s make something unforgettable.
