LIFESTYLE FAMILY PORTRAITURE


Pre-Session Info & Tips by Cami

Dear client,

Thank you so much for choosing me as your family photographer — it truly means a lot.

I promise your session will be relaxed, fun, and full of real moments. And the result? Beautiful, heartfelt images you’ll treasure for years to come.

Below, you’ll find some helpful tips I’ve gathered over my 13 years of photographing families. The page is a little long, but it covers just about everything — so I kindly ask that you take a few minutes to read it thoroughly and maybe even bookmark it for later.

Thank you again — I can’t wait to see you soon!

With love & light, Cami


1. Before Your Session

LOCATIONS IN & AROUND TORONTO


My style of portraiture is to shoot on-location, mainly outdoors, and I allow my clients to choose a spot that is convenient, meaningful and/or fits with their preferences for that particular session (urban, foliage, by the water, etc).

To help you choose, I've created a Google Map with the best locations I've used in & around Toronto.

Click below to see it:

Some of my favourite places in Toronto are:

West End: High Park, Humble Bay Arch Bridge, Marie Curtis Park, Centennial Park & Conservatory, West Deane Park, Etienne Brulé Park.

Downtown-ish: Cherry Beach, Toronto Music Garden & Harbourfront, Roundhouse Park & Steamwhistle Brewery, Distillery District, University of Toronto/ROM, Sherwood Park, Corktown Commons, Gardiner Underpass Park, Kensington Market.

East End: Kew Gardens & Kew Beach on Woodbine, Scarborough Bluffs, Riverdale Farm (Cabbage Town), Glen Stewart Ravine, RC Harris Water Plant, Guild Park.


You can also check out the Google seaches below for more options:

- All parks in Toronto

- All parks in Mississauga

- All parks in Oakville


PS:  Keep in mind some city parks require paid photography permits. Some private locations in Toronto also required paid permits such as The Evergreen Brickworks & the Distillery District.

PS 2:  YES, shooting at smaller neighbourhood parks close to your home can also work, and the good thing is that they're usually not as busy as the more popular places. We don't always need a movie-like, super scenic location for a portrait session - having ideal light is more important than a beautiful background.


TORONTO BOUNDARIES to keep in mind:

West - Kipling Ave. // North - Eglinton Ave. // East - Victoria Park Ave.

I can shoot anywhere within these boundaries. I'm also always happy to shoot in new locations all over the GTA, even up in Muskoka and cottage country. 

For these sessions however, there is an additional mileage fee ranging from $25 to $500

LOCATIONS IN & AROUND OSLO


I've had the pleasure of shooting in lots of beautiful places in Oslo as well as in some lovely towns to the south.

My favourite locations in & around Oslo are:

Botanisk Hage, Aker Brygge, Huk Beach and Oscarhall in Bygdøy, Asker Museum, Eidsvoll Museum, Hovedøya, downtown Drøbak, Oscarsborg Fortress and Frognerparken.

I've also created a Google Map with these locations. Click below to see it:

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IN-HOME SESSIONS: A Cozy & Beautiful Option

(SKIP if we're shooting outdoors)

If convenience is a priority for you — especially with newborn sessions — or if you simply love the idea of capturing your family life in a relaxed, intimate setting, an in-home session might be the perfect fit.

I genuinely love photographing families at home, because there’s something truly special about the moments that unfold in the comfort of your own space — moments that just wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

Natural Light & a Little Preparation

For in-home portraits, natural light is key. I work exclusively with available light, so it’s essential that your home has plenty of windows that let in soft, natural brightness. The size of the space doesn’t matter nearly as much as how well-lit it is.

When I arrive, I’ll walk through your home looking for the best light — and that’s where we’ll spend most of our time shooting. Artificial lights (especially warm, yellow bulbs) can actually interfere, so I prefer to keep them turned off during our session.

Decluttering Makes a Difference

To help your photos shine, I kindly ask that you tidy up the spaces around the windows and well-lit areas where we’re likely to shoot. This doesn’t mean your home has to be perfect — just that we remove any visual distractions, like cluttered surfaces or unrelated objects in the background. Keeping only essential furniture and decor creates a clean, calm canvas that puts the focus on your family.

If you have a backyard or outdoor area, no matter how small, we can also explore some moments outside — natural light and a change of scenery always add something special.

A Few Extras for Newborn Sessions

For newborn sessions, I typically photograph in the parents’ bedroom and the baby’s room, if you have one. Simple, bright bed linens (without bold patterns or dark colors) work best, as they reflect light beautifully and keep the focus on your little one.

It’s also incredibly helpful if there’s one open space with a blank wall and good natural light, which we can use for some clean, studio-like portraits.

With just a bit of preparation and the right lighting, in-home sessions can be incredibly meaningful as well as visually stunning.

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Weather & Light — What to Expect

If it rains right before or during our session, we’ll need to reschedule — simple as that. But I’ll be honest: I rarely make the call too far in advance, because weather forecasts can be surprisingly unreliable (I’ve had too many beautiful days lost to false predictions!).

That’s why I prefer to wait until the last possible moment before deciding to cancel or reschedule. If there’s any chance of rain, I’ll be in touch — usually the day before and/or a few hours prior to your session — and we’ll decide together what makes the most sense.

☁️ Cloudy Days vs. ☀️ Sunny Days

If it happens to be a bit cloudy — that's ok!

Cloudy days are actually wonderful for photography. The clouds act like a giant softbox, diffusing the light evenly and flattering everyone. That’s also why I love shooting early in the morning or late in the afternoon (golden hour): the light is softer, more golden, and much more forgiving.

If we’re shooting on a bright, sunny day, the colors can be beautiful and we might even catch a few dreamy sunflares. But direct sunlight also makes natural light more challenging — it creates harsh shadows and can cause squinting.

So if you see me walking around looking for shade or positioning you with the sun behind you, don’t worry — I’m just working to find the most flattering light! I’ll guide you every step of the way. All I ask is: trust me — I’ve got you. 😉

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What to Wear: Wardrobe Tips for Your Session

Choosing the right wardrobe for your session can make a huge difference in the final images. It’s not about being overly styled — it’s about creating visual harmony so the focus stays on what really matters: you and your loved ones.

Here are a few helpful guidelines:

🎨 Colour Coordination

Think of your family’s wardrobe as a colour palette. You don’t need to match exactly, but you should aim for complementary colours that work well together. Soft, earthy, or pastel tones often photograph beautifully and create a timeless feel.

👕 Patterns (Less is More)

Try to avoid mixing too many patterns. For example:

  • If Mom is wearing a floral maternity dress, it’s best if Dad wears a solid-coloured shirt, ideally in a tone found in the pattern of her dress.
  • The same idea works for siblings — if one child wears a print, keep the others in solid, coordinating tones.

Too many patterns can create visual clutter and draw attention away from faces and expressions. Simplicity goes a long way!

Seasonal Styling Suggestions

🌞 For Summer Sessions I recommend long, flowy dresses in light or pastel shades for women, and polo shirts with cargo shorts or pants for men. This combo is elegant yet casual — and always photographs well.

🍂 For Fall Sessions Opt for deeper, warmer tones like mustard yellow, burnt orange, burgundy, navy, or plum. Layering with scarves, hats, and textured accessories in complementary shades adds depth and seasonal charm to your photos.

🤰 For Maternity Sessions - Long dresses in solid colours or soft lace details are ideal. Avoid loud prints or overly complex patterns. A well-coordinated look with Dad — such as his shirt colour echoing your dress tone — ties everything together beautifully.

👶 For Babies & Toddlers - Hair accessories like bows, headbands, or little hats can add a sweet touch. And don’t forget — comfort is key, especially for little ones!

Tips for Extended Families

Coordinating outfits for a large family group doesn’t mean everyone has to match exactly — in fact, it’s best if you don’t. Instead, aim for a cohesive color palette with 2–3 main tones (neutrals always work beautifully, with a few soft accent colors if you’d like). Think complementary rather than identical.

Avoid busy prints, logos, or bright neons, as they can distract from faces and emotions — especially in a big group. Soft textures, layers, and natural fabrics photograph wonderfully. Most importantly, everyone should wear something that feels comfortable and true to them. When each person feels good in what they’re wearing, it always shows in the photos.

❄️ Comfort Matters Most

If we’re shooting early in the morning or on a breezy day, please dress yourself and your children warmly enough to be comfortable throughout the session. A cold child is usually a grumpy one, and we want everyone to feel good and relaxed.

Also, don’t stress about perfection. For example, if you want your baby girl in a dress but it’s chilly out, just layer with a cute pair of leggings — cozy and adorable!

When in doubt, feel free to send me a few wardrobe ideas beforehand — I’m always happy to help you decide what will look and feel best for your session.

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Cami's Pinterest Boards

Click here to see suggestions for summer& fall wardrobes


30 Style tips to help anyone look amazing in photos

myclickmagazine.com/what-wear-photo-session

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A Few Wardrobe Requests

To help your photos look their absolute best, I kindly ask that no one wears clothing with large brand logos, visible text, or numbers — especially babies and kids.

Logos and text can be very distracting in portraits and tend to make the images look more like casual snapshots than timeless keepsakes. Instead, opt for solid colors or subtle patterns, which always come across as more elegant and polished.

If possible, please also avoid running shoes for both kids and adults. They can feel too casual and often clash with the overall aesthetic of the photos. 

The Most Important Wardrobe Tip?

Wear what makes you feel good.

At the end of the day, the most beautiful images come from people who feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves. So above all, choose outfits that make you and your loved ones feel at ease and wonderful in your own skin.

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Little Things That Make a Difference

💄 Make-up Tips (for Women)

I recommend wearing as much make-up as you feel comfortable with — but keep in mind that very light make-up tends to disappear on camera. So don’t be afraid to go just a little bolder than usual, especially with lipstick and blush. It really makes a difference!

Also, especially for summer sessions, it’s helpful to bring a few Kleenex or blotting papers to gently dab away any shine or sweat.

🍎 Snacks for the Little Ones

When photographing toddlers, snacks can be a lifesaver — whether as a little incentive or just to give them a calm break.

I often keep snapping during snack time, which can result in some super sweet, candid shots. But here's a quick tip: avoid snacks in crinkly plastic packaging, which can be distracting in photos.

Instead, consider:

  • Cookies or small biscuits, ideally stored in a cute container or tin (bonus points for something vintage-looking!)
  • Fruits like apples — toddlers munching on apples are always adorable in photos

A little snack break can go a long way in keeping the mood light and happy!

🧸 Props & Accessories

I kindly ask that you only bring essential accessories to your session. Items like large purses, diaper bags, and strollers can easily get in the way and interrupt the flow of the shoot. If possible, please leave those in the car or tucked away nearby.

That said, when working with babies and toddlers, I know some things are non-negotiable — and that’s completely okay! Just try to keep it as minimal as possible.

🪁 Toys:
It’s a great idea to bring a couple of your child’s favorite toys to help grab their attention or spark big smiles. If you can, opt for simple, timeless-looking items like:

  • Stuffed animals (teddy bears are always a hit)
  • Wooden or vintage-style toys

These photograph beautifully and blend well with a natural, timeless aesthetic — unlike modern plastic toys, which can be distracting and clash with the overall vibe.

🧺 Blankets & Picnic Towels

When we’re doing photos of your family sitting or lying on the grass, I typically don’t recommend using a blanket or towel, unless it’s something truly beautiful that coordinates with your wardrobe — like a picnic-style blanket in soft, earthy tones or a nice pattern.

Most everyday blankets and towels tend to distract from the natural look of the scene.

That said, I completely understand not wanting to get your little ones (or yourselves!) dirty. So here’s my promise:
If you’re okay with getting a tiny bit messy, I’ll save all those photos for the end of the session, so you can fully enjoy the moment without worry. Trust me — it’s totally worth it for the gorgeous, relaxed shots we’ll get.

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Bribing Your Kids

(...and maybe your husband too, haha)

If we’re doing a family session with toddlers, young kids, or even a camera-shy partner (which is way more common than you might think!), a little pre-session pep talk can go a long way. And yes — a promised reward doesn’t hurt either! 😉

I’ve found it’s incredibly helpful if you explain ahead of time what’s going to happen. You might say something like:

“We’re going to meet a really nice woman named Cami who came from a faraway land full of forests and monkeys — a magical place called Brazil! She’s going to take some fun pictures of us while we play, laugh, and walk around together. Then we’ll be able to show the photos to Grandma, Grandpa, or your friends at school!”

If they have a favorite toy, outfit, or even a superhero cape, you can make them feel special by saying they’ll get to bring it and be photographed with it.

And if they like soccer, you can totally play the Brazil card — just mention that I’m from the land of Pelé and Neymar and I promise, they’ll be intrigued. It’s a great icebreaker and gets even shy little ones curious and engaged. If they like animals and nature, you can also mention the Amazon, the largest rainforest on the planet, and that it's in the country where I come from.

And finally, feel free to promise a fun reward for after the shoot — like ice cream, a trip to the playground, or even a relaxing massage for your husband (hey, fair is fair! 😄). Framing it as a little adventure followed by a treat makes the whole experience feel exciting and worthwhile.

Trust me — it works like a charm. And we’ll make it fun every step of the way!


2. At Your Session

Session Length

Session are exactly 30, 60 or 90 minutes long, and I time them from the moment we begin shooting — just to keep things fair for all clients.

I shoot a lot during sessions, and many clients are surprised by how many beautiful moments end up in their final gallery — even with mini sessions, I guarantee over 50 portraits.

With full sessions, we can explore more ideas and move at a relaxed pace. One hour tends to be the sweet spot before most people — especially little ones — as they eventually start to lose steam. I usually only go beyond that when photographing extended families, where 1.5 to 2 hours can be helpful.

I’ll let you know once I feel we’ve captured a full variety of moments. And if at any point you or your kids are getting tired, just let me know — I won’t take it personally. :)

Late Policy

Please aim to arrive at our meeting spot at least 15 minutes early to account for parking and finding each other — especially at busy locations or on weekends.

It's important that you understand that I will likely have other sessions booked the same day, so if you're late, we might only be able to shoot for the remainder of your scheduled time.

If you're running late, please send me a quick text or call to let me know.

A Full Belly = Happy Faces

Please don’t come hungry — especially kids! A snack before the session makes a huge difference in everyone’s mood and energy.

Little Noses Matter

This might sound silly, but I’ve lost too many great photos to runny noses — especially with little ones.

If your child has a cold or allergies, I kindly ask you to keep a tissue handy and check in from time to time during the session. I’m focused on a lot of things while shooting and may not notice right away — and honestly, it can feel a bit awkward to ask a parent to clean their child’s nose mid-session. 😅

You might be wondering: “Can’t it be Photoshopped?” Sometimes, yes — but it’s very time-consuming and often tricky to do on skin. In many cases, it just doesn’t look right.

So thank you for keeping an eye out and helping me preserve those sweet close-up moments!

Pockets, Please

This one’s mostly for the guys: please remind any dads, husbands or boyfriends to empty their pockets before we start.

Phones and keys create awkward bulges in pants — and I often don’t notice until I’m editing, when it’s too late to fix.

Don’t Worry Too Much

My style is about real moments in natural settings. We’ll take a few classic “everyone smiling at the camera” shots (the ones grandma loves!), but most of the session will be relaxed and lightly directed.

I might ask you to walk, play, snuggle, or even do something silly like climb a tree. Most of my prompts are meant to create natural reactions and genuine connection — that’s what I’m really looking to capture.

Important: Please don’t stress about always looking at me, or asking your kids to “smile at the camera.” In fact, doing that too often tends to backfire. I usually interact with little ones to help them forget they’re being photographed — and some of the most beautiful moments happen when they’re looking at you, not me.

I’ll guide you whenever I do want those “everyone looking” shots, so you can relax and just enjoy the time together.

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For Sessions with Little Ones

If you’ve never done a family session before — or if you're worried your kids have too much energy, never stop moving, or might be shy around strangers — take a deep breath… and let it go. :)

I’ve been photographing families and children for over 10 years, and I truly love it. I’ve seen everything — from wild toddlers to shy little ones clinging to their parents — and I’ve learned how to gently earn their trust.

During the session, I’ll run, play, hide, crawl, make silly faces… whatever it takes to help them relax and have fun. That’s when the magic happens.

And if things don’t go quite as planned (a scraped knee, grass stains, a sudden meltdown), the best thing you can do is stay calm and go with the flow. Kids feed off our energy — so if you’re relaxed and enjoying the moment, they’re much more likely to come around.

As tempting as it is, try not to keep asking them to smile. That pressure often backfires. I’ll guide and gently prompt when needed, but I’m also there to capture real, authentic moments — even the grumpy faces, which can be adorable and so uniquely them.

One more thing: it’s totally normal for parents to leave the session thinking “I don’t think we got anything good…”

But when the gallery arrives, they’re almost always surprised — and often moved — by how many sweet, expressive, and beautiful moments were captured while they were busy worrying. :)

So really — trust me, let go of expectations, and just enjoy this time with your family. I’ve got the rest.


3. After Your Session

After Your Session

Once your session is complete, I’ll carefully select and hand-edit your best images. I promise to deliver beautiful portraits — but please know that good work takes time.

DELIVERY TIMEFRAME

Every photo you receive is personally edited by me (no outsourcing here!) — and since I’m a one-woman show and a bit of a perfectionist (I blame the five planets in Virgo 😅), I ask for your patience during the editing process.

  • During busy seasons, average delivery time is around 4 weeks.
  • For Fall sessions, galleries are always delivered in time for the Holidays, as I know many of you want to use the images for cards and gifts.

I also tend to shoot and deliver hundreds of images per session, and editing them is not just a technical task — it’s an artistic part of my process. My signature look is inspired by the timeless, nostalgic beauty of Fuji film, and I put great care into every single frame.

Kindly note: when clients email me asking about delivery, it actually takes away from the time I could be spending editing their gallery. So I gently ask for your trust — your photos are coming. 😊

DELIVERY METHOD

Once your gallery is ready, you’ll receive a private online link to download all your high-resolution, print-ready files.

There’s no need to choose a limited number of favorites — I’ll send you all the best images from our session, beautifully edited and ready to be printed, shared, and treasured.

Thank you in advance for your patience. Believe me when I say: I’m always just as excited to share your photos as you are to receive them. ❤️

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PRE-SESSION CHECKLIST ✅

Here are a few things that can make our time together smoother, more relaxed, and extra fun:

  • Water or juice (and a few yummy, non-messy snacks)
  • Small towel or wipes to clean up any shine, sweat, or messy little hands/faces
  • Extra outfit (just in case of spills, or if you'd like help choosing)
  • Cute props — favorite toys, a beautiful blanket or towel, anything meaningful you'd like to include
  • Map or address of our meet-up spot saved on your phone
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early to park, settle in, breathe
  • Full bellies make for happy faces — please don’t come hungry!
  • Relaxed vibes and smiles — no pressure to perform, just be yourselves 🧡
  • Save my contact:
    📱 WhatsApp: +55 12 9 9027 5148
    📞 Toronto: COMING SOON

PHEW!

Congratulations, you have now reached the end.

I went to school for professional writing, and as you can see, I like to write. 😅

Thank you for reading, and if you still have any questions, let me know.

I'm super looking forward to capturing you & your loved ones.

Love & light, Cami

 

Follow @momentsbycami

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