What should I do to prepare?

All sessions offered by Natalie V. Photography are laid back, worry-free experiences. The amount of preparation is completely up to you, but I suggest you always dress appropriately for the weather and encourage you to prepare yourself in a way that makes you the most comfortable. 

• Horse & Rider - If outfit changes are desired for Horse & Rider sessions, be sure to bring different options including casual, dress, or horse show attire.  As for the horses, I suggest basic show preparation, for example: clean, clipped, hooves painted, and clean bit & bridle.
• Family Mini Shoots - Having a colour scheme is a good idea but its definitely not essential.  If you’re not going for a color theme, make sure that everyone’s outfits complement each other.  Choose an outfit that looks flattering on you and it should be a little more dressy than your everyday clothes.  If the photoshoot is with young kids or babies, try to keep the outfit and hairstyle minimal so it’s easily manageable.  White is a great color for summer beach photoshoots.  Warm tones of red and gold along with soft shades of grays, blue and charcoal are ideal for Autumn shoots. 
• Head Shots - It’s tempting to stick with black and white, but a splash of color can really make your image pop.  For more detailed information see bottom of this page.

​Where and When?

As I am a predominantly natural light photographer, the background and lighting are very important. Time wise, the best lighting is early morning at sunrise or late afternoons around sunset. Shooting in mid afternoon can produce a harsh lighting that I do not recommend.  For Horse & Rider shoots, greenery and barn architecture is preferred. Horses are unpredictable animals, so home or locations they are familiar with are ideal for a relaxed session.  Outdoor photoshoots may need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

How will I receive my digital images?

You will first receive digital proofs in a password protected Proof gallery.  These images will have minimal editing and will include my logo.  Upon selecting your favorites, any additional editing will be completed and final images will be saved to the Portfolio tab. Turn around time is typically 1-2 weeks, if not sooner.  Delivery of images requires receipt of photo shoot payment in full.

How can I print my images?

You can print photos directly from your gallery on the Portfolio tab through my professional printing labs to achieve the highest quality.  The prices are very reasonable for high quality prints.

Can I post on Social Media?

I highly encourage you to share images with your friends. Credit is preferred but not required. If you'd like to credit, tag me on Instagram @nataliev.photography or personally, Natalie Van Dalen, on Facebook.

Head Shot Tips

• Women

Try hues that bring out your eye color and enhance your skin tone. Rich colors and jewel tones are great choices for almost all women.  Crew, boat or narrow v-necks are always flattering and will always lay nicely.  If you typically wear a jacket to work, bring a couple of jacket choices, but you do not need to wear a jacket to look professional.  Also, make sure your clothes fit well.  Generally, a little snug is better than baggy and loose.  As for accessories, less is more.  Stud earrings are best such as simple pearls, diamonds or other gemstones. 

Avoid:

• Short sleeves or sleeveless styles (unless you’ve got “buff” arms and want to show them off)
• Low necklines
• Busy or trendy patterns or plaids
• Turtlenecks
• Shiny fabrics (silk or satin)
• Big jewelry that draws attention away from you
• Hoops and dangling earrings that can interfere with your hair 

• Men

Whatever you wear, make sure your clothes fit well and you feel good wearing it. If you feel good, you’ll look good. If you’re going business casual (specifically, no tie) bring a couple of sport coats. Charcoal grey is great choice or anything with color or texture. 
A sport coat without a tie is an intentional wardrobe choice. But if you wear a suit coat without a tie, it gives the impression that you are dressing “down.”

Tie = suit coat OR sport coat.

NO tie = sport coat but NOT a suit coat.

Avoid:

• Avoid a plain white shirt (or accentuate it with an interesting tie)
• Avoid the all black jacket, unless it has texture.
• Button-down collars rarely lay nicely in a photo. Avoid button down collars, unless it’s an intentional style choice for you.

• FINAL tips for both men and women
  • When possible, bring your clean, neatly pressed clothing to the session on hangers to avoid wrinkles from seatbelts.
  • Make sure everything is clean, pressed and fits well.
  • We only focus on above the waist for headshots. But if you feel more confident by putting on the full wardrobe, feel free to dress up from head to toe.