Valath Family Session

FAMILY SESSION GUIDE

SAN JOSE, CA

LOCATION INFO

Your home is the perfect setting for a relaxed, meaningful family session. It’s where you feel most comfortable, and it captures the true essence of your family—whether it's the cozy living room, the kitchen, or your kids’ favorite play spots. These sessions bring out real moments, creating timeless photos full of warmth and personality. It’s the ideal way to capture your family’s unique bond in a space that feels like home.

 

DATE + TIME

Session Date: Saturday May 03, 2025

Session Time: 9:30 am

EMBRACE THE WEATHER

No matter what the weather brings, we’ll make it work! Since we’ll be indoors, we’ll have the advantage of working with perfect lighting. If it rains, we can embrace it and capture some cozy, intimate shots by the window as the rain falls outside. Whether it's sunny or stormy, we’ll take full advantage of the mood the weather creates, shooting rain or shine to capture beautiful, authentic moments.

Morning light

Golden Hour 5:54 am - 6:47 am

Sunrise 6:11 am

Blue Hour 5:43 am - 5:54 am

Chance of rain: 15% | Cloud coverage: 40% | Wind direction: NW

 

WHAT TO WEAR

For your session, I recommend choosing outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. Since these portraits will likely be displayed in your home or shared with loved ones, consider selecting pieces that reflect your personal style while ensuring timeless appeal. Neutral tones and earth colors tend to complement the setting beautifully and will keep the focus on your family. Feel free to bring a few different options or layers to add variety to your session—changing outfits can offer a nice range of looks. If you’re aiming for a more vibrant look, we can certainly incorporate brighter colors, but I encourage keeping it balanced.

CAN I BRING PROPS?

While I love capturing the natural beauty of your home, there’s no need for anything extravagant. Instead of bringing external props, I encourage you to use the elements within your space—whether it’s a cozy blanket, a favorite chair, or a special family heirloom. These personal touches help tell your family’s unique story and create a more intimate, authentic feel in the photos. Just make sure any props, like a blanket, are neutral-colored and something you’re comfortable with, as it may get a little dirty in the process.

ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE DETAIL SHOTS?

Absolutely! I love capturing the little details that make a session unique. To ensure we get the best shots, take a moment to check that nails are neat, hair is styled, and everything looks polished.

WHAT SHOES SHOULD I WEAR?

Comfort is key, so choose shoes that complement your outfit and are easy to move in. Neutral-toned sandals or going barefoot works wonderfully and will help you feel at ease throughout the session.

If you have any additional questions or need more guidance on what to wear, don't hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to help.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT

Whether this is your first time working with a photographer or not, my goal is to ensure that your experience exceeds your expectations. The moments we capture together are meant to last for generations, allowing you to relive the love and connection you share with your family for years to come. This session is an opportunity to be truly yourselves, to relax, and to fully immerse in the environment and the present moment.

My approach is centered around capturing authentic, unscripted moments—nothing forced or staged. While I will guide you gently throughout the session to ensure you feel comfortable and confident, my focus is always on capturing the real essence of your family, the unspoken interactions and natural connections that make you unique.

We create together.

Every aspect of the session—from my interaction with you, to how I shoot and edit—is designed to reflect who you are and the emotions you share. The thoughtful artistic choices I make are never about my vision, but about honoring your memories. My focus is on quality over quantity, ensuring that the images we create together will be ones you will treasure forever.

LETS CAPTURE YOUR FAMILY SESSION, FIERCELY AND BEAUTIFULLY TOGETHER.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable, or if you have specific ideas or poses in mind, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Open communication is essential, and I want to ensure that you feel heard and valued throughout this process. This is a collaborative experience, and together, we’ll create timeless images that are uniquely yours.

AFTER OUR SESSION

I know you cannot wait to get a glimpse of your photos and I promise I will send a sneak peek your way as soon as I possibly can. You will receive your gallery no later than 4 weeks after your session date.

I am so happy when you share your images with friends and family. Make sure to credit and tag me when you post them online. It’s highly appreciated, because I’m always excited to see your favorites and others that like the images can easily find their way to my page.

Also I kindly ask you to not add any filters when posting on Instagram (or similar apps).

ALBUMS + PRINTS

Have you ever experienced that you get photos printed and the colors look nothing like they did on your computer? That sucks, as does letting your photos waste away on hard drives and USB sticks. You have invested a lot of heart, thought and effort into your family session and the photographs tell this story. Celebrate them by putting them in an album that is always at hand when you want to flip through these memories. Personally, I make a huge effort to print both my professional and personal work as often as possible. The feelings of holding these memories in your hands is just so special.

ALBUMS

I offer a handful of beautiful albums that I have picked carefully after comparing a ton of options out on the market. My standards are high and I would never compromise quality, considering how important these photographs are for you and how long this album will keep you company; a lifetime.

PRINTS

I’ve made it especially easy for you to print quality photos straight from the gallery you’ll receive from me. Your photos will be printed in quality paper true to color.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

 

LET’S CONNECT

I’m all ears! Let me know if there’s something I missed that you’re still wondering about! Other than that, I can’t wait to create some beautiful memories with you!

I can’t wait to show off your photos on Instagram