Happy Tuesday, Reader!

One of my FAVORITE tasks as a virtual assistant and creative is creating workbooks & prep guides. I love learning about your brand and combining all of your brand goodness into something tangible and useful for your clients. I also feel very strongly that offering prep guides & workbooks are a fantastic way to uplevel your client experience. But I know LOTS of photographers get stuck on what to include. So today, we're talking about just that:

Here's my best section suggestions and tips on topics to include in your session prep guides- no matter what style photographer you are.

1- TRY IT ON

An easily overlooked tip is reminding your clients to try on their outfits before they come to their session. How many times have we waited until the night before and the toddler's romper doesn't fit right and dad's tie doesn't match just right? This is why I encourage reminding your clients to try their entire wardrobe on, together, to make sure that things look as great in person as they did in their head. If your client is investing money and time into a photo session, their photos deserve to serve them as best as possible. Encourage them to send mirror selfies to you- you can help guide them on matching their scenery or if something stands out too much.

2- START WITH THE BASICS

Something I think a lot of photography clients do is overthink their outfits- they want their portraits to capture a beautiful time in their life, but overdo it on the outfits and end up not loving photos because their clothing doesn't really feel like them. So something I like to suggest is starting with the basics- take your favorite, every day outfit and elevate it. I am a daily leggings wearer or a tunic dress wearer- so to elevate those outfits I could wear a dressier top with a statement necklace + leggings or for the tunic dress, getting a styled belt and a fun hat or headband to tie it together. It's so important to start a photo session in your most comfortable clothing- I find it helpful in warming up to one another-your client might, too!

3- GET TRENDY

For a final look, make it fun. This is where you incorporate the funky pieces that don't get worn on a regular basis but you've always wanted to wear! Build an outfit around it! I have this super cute, pink dress with a little cutout in it that I would never wear anywhere in real life, but when we went on vacation, I wore the heck outta that thang and made sure my husband and I took cute pictures in it.

4- FINAL TIP

Remember that your clients wardrobe is just a piece of their photo session strategy. But by helping them to create a look that resembles your brand and ideal clients, you're building a strong base for attracting MORE of your ideal clients and helping your client feel comfortable and confident during their photo session.

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If you use this tips, reply to this email & share the end result with me! I'd love to see it!

PS- I launched a Photography Journal on Amazon this week. This journal is perfect for storing tips like the ones above and keeping on your person while you're in the field- and keeps you away from checking your phone throughout the session. I would be so honored if you grabbed a copy and added it to your photography bag. If it's not something in your budget right now, would you mind re-pinning my Photography Journal pin on pinterest for me, so others can see it and snag a copy? I appreciate you so much.

Emily Woodruff Tog & V.A. to Other Tog's. ​www.moxieassist.com​