Available for in-home
& studio sessions
Serving NYC &
surrounding areas
Paragraph
family session prep guide
Inspiration &
Styling Guide
A gentle guide to help you prepare for your session with Heirloom by Melissa Photography — what to expect, what to wear, and how to feel ready.
welcome
Before anything else,
I want you to know something.
Years from now, your children won't notice whether everyone's outfit matched perfectly. They won't remember whether their hair behaved. They won't remember who smiled at the camera.
What they'll see is that you were there.
Holding them close. Laughing with them.
Loving them through every beautiful, ordinary season.
That's what this experience is
really about.
If you're anything like most moms…
preparing for your session
... you've probably already started making a mental checklist. What should everyone wear?
Will the kids cooperate? What if someone is tired, grumpy, or refuses to smile?
The good news? - You don't need to have all the answers.
This guide was created to walk you through the details — from preparing the kids to what to expect on session day — so you can feel confident, prepared, and excited for what's ahead.
A little planning goes a long way, but the most important thing you can bring to your session is simply yourself.
before the session
The best thing you can do has nothing to do with outfits.
It's remembering that your children don't need to perform.
Your children do not need to sit still. Your toddler does not need to smile on command. Your family does not need to look like they stepped out of a magazine.
Trust that the little quirks, the cuddles, the giggles, and even the moments in between are often the ones you'll treasure most years from now.
The goal isn't perfect photographs. The goal is to capture the connection, personality, and love that already exists within your family.
I know you want to tell your children to look into the camera, smile, and do exactly as I ask. I'm going to gently ask you not to. Children rarely do as we say in the moment — and that's exactly how it should be. I'd rather our time together feel like play than like a list of instructions.
During our session, I'll play with your kids. Funny sounds, silly dances, games of peekaboo, a little chase around the yard — whatever it takes to get real, unguarded smiles. Tell your children you're going somewhere to have fun, not to "get your picture taken."
01.
DON'T PREPARE THEM FOR PHOTOS. PREPARE THEM FOR A MEMORY.
You know your child best. Some children are shy. Some are endlessly energetic. Some need extra time to warm up, and some may tell you they don't want their photograph taken at all — and that's okay, too.
If there's anything you'd like me to know ahead of time, please share it. The more I understand your child, the better I can meet them exactly where they are.
And if a little encouragement helps? I'm all for it. A favorite snack, a small treat, or a special activity afterward can go a long way. You know what motivates your child best, so trust your instincts.
02.
you know them best.trust what works.
Babies rarely nap exactly when we'd planned, and toddlers have a way of keeping us humble. If you can, try to arrive with little ones fed and reasonably rested. Beyond that, give yourself permission to let go of the details.
The truth is, children don't need to be perfectly behaved for beautiful photographs to happen. The laughter, the wiggles, the snack breaks, the unexpected moments — they're all part of the story.
So take a breath. Trust that you're prepared. Be present with the people you love, and I'll take care of the rest — including the moments when someone decides to make a run for it.
03.
feed them , rest them and let go of the rest.
Helping Little Ones Feel Ready
What you wear should never outshine the people you love.
your styling tips
Clothing should support the story, never steal the attention.
The goal isn't perfectly coordinated outfits. It's choosing pieces that feel timeless, comfortable, and true to your family—so years from now, you'll remember the people in the photographs long before you remember what they were wearing.
Your outfit sets the tone for everyone else's, so choose yours first.
Rather than trying to coordinate the entire family at once, find something you feel beautiful, comfortable, and completely yourself in. From there, it's much easier to build everyone else's outfits around yours.
When choosing your dress, look for pieces with soft movement—flowing fabrics, gentle sleeves, skirts that catch the breeze, or beautiful textures like linen, cotton, or gauze. Most importantly, choose something that lets you move freely, cuddle your babies, and forget you're wearing it. When you feel comfortable, you're able to be fully present.
01. Start with Mom
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Instead of matching everyone exactly, choose a palette that naturally belongs together.
Soft creams, warm whites, oatmeal, sage, dusty blue, muted blush, terracotta, camel, olive, and soft greys all photograph beautifully together.
Aim for two or three complementary colors, then repeat them throughout your family's outfits rather than putting everyone in the same shade.
02. Think in Palettes, Not Matching
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Your photographs should feel just as beautiful twenty years from now as they do today.
Classic silhouettes, natural fabrics, and simple, well-loved pieces will always outlast fast-changing trends. Skip anything that feels overly trendy or likely to date your photographs.
When in doubt, choose the outfit you'll still love years from now. Your family's connection should be what stands out—not the fashion of the moment.
03. Timeless Will Always Win
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Beautiful photographs don't need busy patterns—they need depth.
Soft textures like linen, cotton gauze, knit sweaters, lace, eyelet, muslin, velvet, wool, and subtle embroidery create richness without distracting from the people wearing them. Patterns can be beautiful too, but use them thoughtfully. If one family member wears a delicate floral or subtle plaid, let everyone else wear solids or textured fabrics to create balance.
When in doubt, choose texture over pattern. It's timeless, effortless, and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs—on your family.
04. Let Texture Tell the Story
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The most timeless photographs are the ones where your family is the first thing you notice.
Large logos, character graphics, athletic wear, neon colors, and busy prints can easily pull attention away from the moments you're trying to preserve. While they may feel fun today, they can quickly make your photographs feel dated years from now.
Instead, choose clothing that quietly complements the story you're telling. The goal is for people to notice your family's connection—not what everyone was wearing.
05. Keep it simple
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Beautiful photographs begin with feeling comfortable.
If you're constantly adjusting a dress, pulling at a neckline, or asking your toddler to stop scratching an itchy sweater, it will show.
Choose clothing you can move, cuddle, sit on the floor, lift little ones, and simply live in. If you're comfortable, you'll spend less time thinking about your outfit and more time enjoying your family.
And that's exactly where the magic happens.
06. Comfort Creates Confidence
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taupe and olive
Earthy, organic tones that feel calm, grounded, and effortlessly timeless.
Rust and cream
A timeless palette that glows beautifully in golden-hour light.
Rust and cream
A timeless palette that glows beautifully in golden-hour light.
A Few Palettes I Love
costal neutral
Soft, airy tones that feel timeless. White/Beiges.
our studio
wardrobe
Before You Walk Out the Door...
- Full tummies
- Water bottles packed
- Small, non-messy snacks
- Comfort item if someone has one
- Diapers, wipes, and an extra outfit for little ones
- Hairbrush
- Remove phones and keys from pockets
- Take one deep breath
- Leave perfection at home
Perfect. Truly.
Children don't need to sit still or smile on command to create beautiful photographs. Some of my favorite images happen while they're exploring, cuddling, laughing, or simply being themselves.
I follow your children's lead rather than expecting them to perform.
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01. What if my kids don't cooperate?
Of course! If your furry family member is joining us, just let me know beforehand so we can plan the session around them.
If possible, bring someone along who can take your pup home or for a walk once we've finished photographing them, allowing us to focus on the rest of your family as well.
Some of the sweetest moments happen with wagging tails included.
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05. Can our dog be part of the session?
Just in case you're wondering...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Leave Room for
the Unexpected.
No family session goes exactly as planned. Someone will probably get grass on their knees. Someone might need a snack five minutes after you arrive. A toddler may decide shoes are suddenly unacceptable. None of those things are problems.
They're childhood.
The less tightly we hold onto expectations, the more room there is for genuine moments to unfold.
What Happens Next
01. Your session
02. Hand editing
Enjoy the moment. I'll take care of everything else.
Over the next 2–3 weeks, every image is carefully selected and individually edited with my signature style.
03. Your proof gallery arrives
You'll receive an email with your proofing gallery, ready for you to fall in love with your images.
04. Viewing & ordering
Choose your favorites online, or join me for an in-person viewing at the studio. This is when you select the collection that's right for your family.
05. Enjoy them often
Your final gallery and heirloom artwork arrive according to the collection you've chosen — ready to print, frame, and revisit for years to come.
When you arrive...
let this be the moment you stop worrying.
the session day
Leave the checklist in the car.
If someone's a little shy, we'll take our time. If someone's full of energy, we'll lean into it. If your baby needs feeding or your toddler needs a cuddle, we'll pause. There is nowhere else you need to be and nothing you need to rush.
The most beautiful photographs aren't made because everything went according to plan. They're made because a family showed up exactly as they are.
And that's more than enough.
