Booking family photos shouldn’t feel like a stressful chore. Whether we are meeting in a sunlit field in Edmond, a shaded park in Oklahoma City, or an open grassy space in Piedmont, my goal is to make the entire experience feel effortless, calm, and genuinely fun from start to finish.
If you are wondering what happens once you book, how to dress everyone without losing your sanity, and what to expect when it comes to editing, you are in the right place! Here is your complete guide to planning an outdoor session with Jillian Burt Photography.
Natural Light & Timing:
I am an outdoor, natural light photographer—meaning I rely on the open sky, filtered shade, and the sun rather than artificial studio flash. To achieve that warm, glowy light in the background of photos, the best time of day to take photos are the two hours leading up to sunset. I will always suggest these times to have your photo session!
- Promptness is key: Outdoor light shifts continuously as the sun moves. Arriving about 10–15 minutes early ensures everyone is dressed, adjusted, and ready to walk to our spot without feeling rushed.
what to wear:
Wardrobe is usually the biggest hurdle for parents, but keeping it simple makes all the difference.
- Start with Mom: Mom’s outfit sets the palette. Pick a dress or coordinate pieces that make you feel confident, yet still comfortable. If mom doesn’t typically wear dresses, I would suggest wearing a nice blouse with nicer pants/jeans. Once mom’s outfit is chosen, build the rest of the family’s wardrobe around those color tones.
- The "Bed Test": Lay every piece of clothing—tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes—out together on a bed or the floor. Step back and look at the clothes. Do the colors complement each other naturally without being identically matching?
- Need a second opinion? Snap a photo of your layout on the bed and text it to me. I love helping clients fine-tune styling before session day!
→ Details to double-check before leaving the house:
- Hair ties: Move all hair ties from wrists into a purse.
- Pockets: Empty out cell phones, wallets, and key fobs (they create bulky outlines in photos).
- Nails: Check for chipped bright polish or mismatched colors on both mom and children. (*Consider giving everyone's manicures a quick look a few days before the session so you have plenty of time to strip old polish, apply a fresh coat, or clip nails for a clean look.)
- Shoes: Scuffed shoes stand out in the photos; opt for clean, neutral shoes or classic leather sandals/boots.
during the session:
As a mom of young children myself, I completely understand children have short attention spans. You don't have to worry about your kids acting like little statues; I try my best to use tools and silly phrases to keep their focus, make them laugh, and yes—I am never above a discreet gummy or candy bribe!
(Pro tip: bring clear/light-colored snacks like fruit snacks or marshmallows that won’t stain teeth, faces, or shirts).
Here’s the flow of the session:
- Classic Posed First: While everyone is fresh, clean, and happy, we capture timeless portraits where everyone is looking toward the camera and smiling. These are the classic heirlooms that grandparents want framed and on their walls.
- Candid Fun to Wrap Up: Once the core posed shots are in the bag, we loosen up. We let the kids run, swing between mom and dad, strike a silly pose with their siblings, and capture those sweet, unscripted moments that show genuine family connection.
what's included in editing:
Great photos are a team effort! When you arrive prepared, I take care of capturing the golden light and directing every pose, then fine-tune your final gallery into classic, heirloom-quality portraits. Since family portraits are a meaningful investment, getting your wardrobe, posture, and tiny details right before the camera clicks ensures you receive the absolute best results from your experience.
→ To keep expectations clear and transparent, here is a breakdown of what standard retouching covers:
Included in Your Gallery:
- Professional color grading, exposure balance, and contrast.
- Gentle skin smoothing and temporary facial blemish removal.
- Subtle teeth whitening.
- Taming prominent flyaway hairs against the open sky.
- Removal of major background distractions (e.g., trash cans, stray park visitors).
Advanced Retouching ($30 per photo):
Detailed Photoshop edits require significant time beyond my standard gallery delivery timeframe. The following adjustments are available upon request for an additional fee:
- Removing hair ties left on wrists.
- Removing phone/wallet bulges from pockets.
- Fixing chipped nail polish or changing polish colors.
- Steaming out heavy wrinkles on clothes.
- Altering wardrobe colors.
- Erasing scuffs from shoes.
- Removing extensive boogers or snot from a runny nose.
A quick five-minute mirror check at the car before we meet saves you money and ensures your portraits look clean and intentional right out of the camera!
gallery delivery:
Within 3 weeks of your session date, you will receive a private, high-resolution online gallery delivered directly to your inbox through Pixieset. From there, you can easily download your full-resolution files, share the link with grandparents, and order professional lab prints directly to your door.
ready to plan your session?
Whether your family is in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Yukon, or Piedmont, I would love to help you document this season of life.
Fill out the info below, and I will back to you to check available dates, ask questions, or get your outdoor family session on the calendar!