What should we wear for our Sedona photo session?

Wear clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in. Neutral or earthy tones work very well with the Sedona red rocks. Avoid large logos, busy patterns, and neon colors. Coordinate outfits instead of matching exactly, and bring layers in case the weather changes.

How long will our photo session take?

Most outdoor sessions last about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the package and location. Adventure sessions and elopements may take longer because of hiking time and sunset timing.

How many edited images will we receive?

Standard outdoor sessions usually include around 35 fully edited high-resolution images delivered in a private online gallery. Adventure packages include around 10 highly edited images plus a larger set of unedited JPEGs. Exact numbers depend on the package you choose.

When will we receive our photos?

Most galleries are delivered within 1 to 17 days after the session and final payment. During busy seasons delivery can take a little longer, but you will always receive an email with a link to your online gallery as soon as it is ready.

Do you require a deposit to book a session?

Yes. A non-refundable retainer is required to secure your date and time. The remaining balance is due on or before the day of your session. Your date is not reserved until the retainer has been paid.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of our session?

If the weather is unsafe or would clearly ruin the experience, we will work together to reschedule your session for the soonest available date. Cloudy skies can actually be beautiful, so we only reschedule when conditions are truly not suitable for photos.

Can we bring our pets to the photo session?

Pets are welcome at many locations as long as the area allows them and your pet is comfortable around people and the environment. Please let me know in advance if you plan to bring a pet so we can choose a pet-friendly location and plan accordingly.

How should we prepare for our session?

Get plenty of rest, drink water, and plan to arrive early so you are not rushed. Try on outfits before the session, bring comfortable walking shoes for rocky areas, and allow extra time for traffic and parking. I will guide you through posing and help you feel relaxed in front of the camera.

How to Plan for a Family Portrait Session

Planning a family portrait session starts with clothing. More specifically, color.

The best place to begin is with a monochrome color guide. Pick one main color first. Once you have that color, Google a monochrome color chart for that color. This will show about five other colors that naturally work well together. These colors blend instead of compete.

Seasonal color charts can help too. Spring colors are soft and fresh. Fall colors are warm and earthy. Winter colors feel deep and cozy. Summer colors are lighter and brighter. In this blog, I’ll show an example using maroon as the main focus color and the season chart recommendation.

Try to avoid busy patterns or large logos. These pull focus away from faces and emotions. Simple colors photograph best.

If you have a very large group and pairing outfits feels overwhelming, staying within a theme helps. Think spring tones, fall tones, winter tones, or summer tones. This keeps the group looking cohesive without being matchy. Also, try to avoid clashing colors.

White and black are okay, but they can wash out skin tones. In Sedona, white and light clothing can also stain from the red rocks.

Feel free to text me if you have any clothing questions or would like me to view the outfits ahead of time. I’m always happy to help you fine-tune the look before the session.

More Helpful Clothing Tips

Think about fabric. Does it wrinkle easily? Does it bunch or bulge? Texture matters.

Tank tops are usually unflattering because the underarm area can draw attention. Before leaving the house, run a lint roller over clothing. Small details make a big difference.

I usually keep a lint roller in my car if you need to use one.

Preparing for the Seasons in Sedona

Spring and fall usually have great weather. Winter can be colder, sometimes between 40–60 degrees. Boots look great for winter sessions.

I almost always bring a large blanket to the shooting spot. You’re welcome to place coats on it to avoid red rock stains. This also allows you to keep coats on during the walk up and between shots.

Summer is usually in the 90s, sometimes hotter. We also get short rainstorms during summer and early fall. Because of this, I’m often flexible with start times if rain is possible.

The Walk Up

Most locations have about a 7-minute walk. Bell Rock and Yavapai are on an incline, so strollers can’t go all the way up. Yavapai is a little steeper than Bell Rock but has easier parking. Crescent Moon Ranch is flatter with easier terrain.

Please wear comfortable shoes for the walk. You can change before the shoot if needed.
If you need to change shoes, I can bring a small stool up on request.

I also have fast-motion walk-up videos on my Instagram and YouTube if you’d like to preview the location.