Thanks for booking your session with Christie Caiola!
Below you will find everything you need to know before your session.
Prep Guide
Your complete guide to feeling prepared, confident, and ready to shine during your session.
Some suggestions for the day of:
Arrive 15 minutes early to settle in, enjoy a complimentary drink or cup of coffee, and get comfortable with the space.
Relax and Connect! Focus on interacting naturally with your child—cuddling, playing, or simply holding hands. These moments create the most heartfelt images.
Be Flexible! Little ones have their own rhythm. We’ll embrace their energy to capture genuine, timeless moments.
Come to the studio in loose fitting clothing so it doesn’t leave any indentation lines on your skin (no jeans, no tight socks, leggings, etc).
Come with a fresh, clean and moisturized face (absolutely no makeup) and clean, dry hair.
Drink plenty of water leading up to and day of the shoot day!
Be sure to be thorough on whatever hair removal methods you typically use (shaving, wax, etc) and whatever makes you feel your most confident.
Avoid scheduling anything stressful or rushed before your session.
Don’t worry about how to pose or what looks good—I’ll guide you every step of the way to capture your best angles and expressions.
Have final payment ready (cash, credit card, check).
Relax! It’ll be fun, I promise!
What to pack:
For You:
Primary Outfits: Bring the outfits you’ve chosen for yourself and your child, ensuring they’re clean, wrinkle-free, and ready to wear.
Backup Options: Pack a few extra pieces for yourself or your child, in case of spills or last-minute changes.
Accessories: Bring small, simple accessories like delicate jewelry for yourself or a meaningful item (e.g., heirloom locket) to add a personal touch to your photos.
For Your Little One:
Favorite Toy or Comfort Item: A familiar toy, stuffed animal, or blanket can help your child feel secure and relaxed.
Snacks and Drinks: Non-messy snacks (like crackers or fruit snacks) and a water bottle can help keep your child happy and energized during the session.
Extra Outfit: Bring a second outfit or change of clothes for your child in case of accidents or spills.
Wipes and Tissues: These are handy for quick clean-ups or to wipe away any tears or messes.
Props (Optional)
Sentimental Items: A small keepsake, like a favorite book, heirloom toy, or a special blanket, can add a personal and meaningful touch to your portraits.
Flowers or Greenery: Fresh flowers, a simple bouquet, or a floral crown can enhance the elegance and beauty of your session.
Comfort Items for the Session
Comfortable Shoes or Slippers: If barefoot shots aren’t planned, bring neutral-toned flats or shoes for yourself.
Blanket or Mat: If your child needs a break, a soft blanket or mat can give them a comfortable place to sit or rest during the session.
For the Car Ride
Change of Clothes: If you’re traveling with a toddler or young child, keep them in casual clothes for the car ride and change into their session outfit upon arrival to avoid messes.
Snacks and Entertainment: Pack small activities or snacks for the car to keep your child content on the way to the studio.
Bringing these items will help ensure a seamless experience, allowing us to focus on capturing the love and connection between you and your little one. If you have any questions or need specific advice, feel free to reach out before your session!
Wardrobe Selection
Your wardrobe sets the tone for your session, so choose outfits that feel timeless and cohesive:
1. For Mom
White Button-Up Shirt:
A classic, tailored white button-up is perfect for a clean, effortless vibe.
Look for slightly oversized or structured fits for versatility (e.g., worn tucked in or loosely untucked).
Dark or Light Wash Jeans:
Choose well-fitted jeans in a dark or light wash with minimal distressing for a polished look.
High-waisted jeans work well to create a flattering silhouette.
Simple Tank or Tee:
An assortment of simple basics like white/black t shirts and tanks.
Accessories:
Keep jewelry minimal: small stud earrings, a simple chain necklace, or no jewelry at all to maintain the clean aesthetic.
2. For Children
White or Neutral Button-Up Shirt or Blouse:
A miniature version of a classic white button-up for children adds cohesiveness and charm.
For toddlers, soft white tops with simple detailing (like ruffles or pintucks) work well.
Fitted Jeans or Pants:
Light or dark wash jeans.
For younger children, soft leggings or pull-on jeans provide comfort without compromising style.
Barefoot or Neutral Shoes:
Barefoot works beautifully to keep the look natural and timeless.
If shoes are needed, opt for simple neutral flats or white sneakers.
3. Layering and Textures
Add subtle textures for interest, such as a lightweight knit sweater or scarf.
Linen or cotton fabrics help maintain a soft, classic feel without being too heavy.
4. Colors and Palette
Stick to neutral tones like black, white, cream, beige, or soft gray.
Incorporate light-wash denim or slightly darker washes for contrast.
Experiment with Texture
For mommy and me sessions, textures can add depth and warmth to your portraits. Consider incorporating items like soft knit sweaters, linen tops, flowy cotton blouses, or light scarves. These subtle details enhance the visual interest of your images without overpowering the timeless connection between you and your child.
When in Doubt, Pack More
It’s always better to bring a few extra options for both you and your child. If you’re unsure about an item, pack it! We’ll work together during the session to select the pieces that feel most natural and cohesive. Having options ensures we can adjust to any mood or moment during the shoot.
Draw Inspiration from the Pinterest Board
Let the Pinterest board guide your wardrobe choices. If you see a look you love—such as a white button-up paired with jeans, or a soft, neutral-toned outfit with delicate details—bring those items along to recreate the vibe.
With these wardrobe choices and preparation, we’ll have everything we need to create timeless, heartfelt portraits that reflect the unique bond you share with your child.
What To Expect
Your session is designed to be relaxed and enjoyable, capturing genuine moments of connection and love.
before the Session
1. Self-Care Leading Up to Your Session:
Hydration: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your session to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant.
Rest: Get a good night’s sleep the day before to feel your best.
Moisturize: Keep your skin hydrated by using a gentle moisturizer, especially on your face and hands.
2. Hair Removal (Optional):
If you plan to wax, shave, or thread, schedule it a few days before the session to avoid redness or irritation.
3. Hands & Nails:
Your hands may feature in your portraits, so make sure they’re neat. Choose natural or neutral tones for nail polish, or keep them clean and bare.
4. Choose Your Wardrobe:
Though the session features the centerpiece handcrafted wings, feel free to bring additional options like
5. Set Your Intention:
Take a moment to reflect on what this session means to you. Is it a celebration of a milestone? A gift to yourself to honor your journey? Or simply a way to capture your confidence and beauty? Setting an intention can help you connect with the experience on a deeper level and make the session even more meaningful.
Before the session, think about:
What story do you want these photos to tell?
How do you want to feel during and after the session?
What part of yourself are you celebrating today?
This is your time. Embrace the opportunity to show up as your most authentic self, and let the session reflect the incredible person you are.
During Your Session
This is your moment to connect, relax, and enjoy the experience with your little one. My goal is to capture the love, tenderness, and natural bond you share. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Focus on Connection: Interact naturally with your child—hold hands, share a cuddle, laugh together, or whisper a little secret. These small, intimate gestures often create the most powerful and heartfelt images.
Let Them Be Themselves: Children have their own rhythms, and that’s perfectly okay! If they want to explore or need a moment to adjust, we’ll go with the flow. Some of the best portraits come from these unplanned moments of curiosity or play.
Follow My Lead: I’ll guide you through poses and prompts, but the session will remain relaxed and organic. The goal is to capture authentic emotion, not forced perfection.
Be Present: Let go of any worries about how you look or how your child is behaving. This time is about celebrating the connection you have, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Whether it’s a quiet embrace or a burst of giggles, every moment is an opportunity to create meaningful, timeless portraits. Trust the process, and we’ll create something truly special together.
After Your Session
Review Your Images: After the session, you’ll receive a watermarked gallery of all of your images. From there you choose your favorites and they get retouched.
Delivery: Once your images have been edited, you’ll receieve the digitals and any product orders are placed.
Final Tips
This session is about celebrating the love and bond between you and your child. Trust the process, relax, and let the emotion of these moments take center stage. Together, we’ll create images that tell the story of your connection in the most beautiful and timeless way.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help every step of the way.
A note from me, your photographer
Thank you for choosing me to capture this special time in your life. Mommy and Me sessions are about celebrating the incredible bond between you and your child—the love, the laughter, and the quiet, tender moments that make your relationship so unique.
I know how busy life can get, especially when you’re raising little ones, so I want this session to feel like a moment to pause, connect, and truly enjoy the time with your child. My goal is to create timeless portraits that reflect the love you share and capture the essence of these fleeting moments.
This guide is here to help you feel prepared and confident every step of the way. If you have any questions or special requests, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for trusting me to tell your story. I’m honored to be part of creating these cherished memories, and I can’t wait to photograph the magic of your connection.
Looking forward to creating magic together!
-Christie
Christie Caiola Studios
(Pardon our lack of signage right now…)
