KELSEY KRADEL PHOTO
WELCOME GUIDE FOR FAMILIES
Everything is squared away. The date is on the calendar. You’ve booked the session.
Now take some time to sit back and read my Welcome Guide, in order to make the most out of your time with me in front of the camera.
prepare.
The magic is created together.
Any inspiration shots you have to share with me in the months leading up to your shoot will help me to create a strong vision for your shoot.
Take the time to plan out your outfits for you and your family. Treat yourself to a little shopping spree and have some fun with it!
Think about getting your hair and makeup done to elevate your experience. Gets fresh cuts for the family. The better you look, the better you feel.
Best Montana Places to Shop for your Session
Yellowstone Hat Co
Head West Bozeman
Paparazzi Furs, Big Sky
Montana Supply, Big Sky
Faherty, Big Sky
MOKA boutique, Bozeman
OUTFIT INSPIRATION
from my most stylish clients
my favorite brands
for the whole family
location.
Choosing a location is everything.
I want your family to either feel at home, or free to roam. I want to cultivate a sense of play and feeling of freedom, ease & peace during your session. You’re on mountain time now.
Often I will come to the home you are staying or conduct your session on your own private property. If that is not ideal or visually appealing, check out my location guide for a collection of my favorite & most magical places to shoot in the area. (Once your session is booked you will receive the password to access this document).
day of session.
When I arrive, we take the first 5-10 minutes for warm ups and introductions. Forgive me if I don’t remember everyones names!
Don’t be alarmed if I do not talk or give too much direction off the bat. My job is to observe, to capture the family dynamic.
My advice is to just be yourselves. Laugh, run, play with your kids.
Your job is to just be present, in this moment, with your family, in these beautiful Montana mountains.
FAQs
What do we do if there is rain the day of my session?
Often when it rains in Montana, it’s a short shower and then the weather moves on. Therefore, I don’t get worked up over a little bit of rain in the forecast.
If it looks like a complete wash out on your portrait day, you will need to be flexible to move your portrait session an hour or two and also keep the next early morning open as a backup date. I will make every effort to reschedule your session but payments made will not be refunded due to weather.
Some of my very best sessions have happened after or during a Montana rainstorm. Montanas motto weather is “no bad weather, just poor gear”. Umbrellas and rain boots make great props and the kids love splashing in puddles! The lush Montana landscape comes alive with color during a good storm. I’m very much open to go forward with a session in the rain!
What type of weather should we plan on for our summer session?
There really is no planning or predicting high alpine Montana weather most of the time! By the second week of June the summer season should be consistently into warm temperatures but sometimes Mother Montana has a different mood. Plan for your most ideal weather conditions but perhaps have a set of backup outfits on hand as well!
What happens after my session?
It’s all just a waiting game until your gallery is delivered in your email inbox 1-4 weeks after your session!
How many images will we end up with from our session?
The total amount of images depends on the length of time but I typically deliver anywhere from 35-200 photos from a session.
What can we do to make our photos superb on portrait day?
You can be yourselves! The magic is made by the chemistry between you and your family. My job is to be fast and capture these real and genuine moments. Your job is to just be in the moment, to laugh, to run, to play, to feel and to enjoy, to just be present with your family in these majestic mountains. But any inspiration shots you have to share with me in the months leading up to your shoot will help me to create a strong vision for your shoot.
What happens if all my kids do is cry during our session?
This has happened before during an entire session and believe it or not- the photos still turned out great! If you need to take some time to comfort your child, take a walk, take a break, start fresh, feel free to do that. However, it’s up to you, not me to make your child happy during your session. Bring what you need and be sure to schedule your session during the most ideal time that your child will be in the best mood.
Can I purchase prints and heirloom products?
Absolutely! I believe in printing your photos and I offer luxury custom heirloom products for purchase inside your personal gallery. If you need help choosing or picking a product for your home, I offer complementary zoom consultations scheduled after your gallery is released.