Congratulations on taking a step toward preserving all your favorite parts of your child’s personality! You will treasure these portraits for decades to come. Personality Portraits truly grow in value over time. These Personality Portraits will be passed on to your children’s children and their children.
Below are some answers to frequently asked question and some of my best tips for preparing your little one for their personality portrait!
The short answer is no. These portraits is your little one’s time to shine! All by themselves! Personality Portraits in Raleigh is an opportunity for each of your children to showcase the beauty of who they are! For this reason, please book separate sessions for each of your children.
I absolutely love photographing siblings together and preserving the beauty of their connection because personally, the sibling love is one of the most special things to me. However, these short five minute sessions are best for one child at a time. If you’d like me to really capture the beautiful love your children have for each other, I’d love to talk to you more my family session offering!
Plus, you don’t want to chance this happening between your littles during your Personality Portrait session!
This is so important. No matter how young your child is, even if they’re still an infant, and especially if they’re a toddler, talk to them about their Personality Portrait session ahead of time. It builds excitement and helps them feel included. 💛
It means so much to them when they know how special this experience is and how much you value who they are. You’re not just taking photos, you’re celebrating their personality. If you’d like a few simple ways to explain it to them, I shared more in my article about what Personality Portraits are and why they’re so meaningful.
Okay, I’m not a huge fan of bribery, but when it comes to photos, I’m all in, because it works! 😄
I’m not talking about Disney World, although let’s be real, that would be the ultimate bribe. Something simple works just as well, like a favorite snack, or getting to play outside afterward in The Bunny Hive backyard on the slide or in the playhouse. You can also let your little one know they’ll get to pick a prize from my basket after their session! I’ll have stickers and small goodies that kids love.
I recommend mentioning the prize whenever you talk about their Personality Portrait so they start to associate the session with something fun waiting at the end. And don’t worry, I only bring out the bribery during the session if they need a little extra motivation for a smile.
Just imagine how cute that moment will be when they light up realizing their prize is coming soon, that’s the magic right there. ✨
White tops photograph absolutely beautifully for your Personality Portraits! They give a simplistic and timeless look that you will be sure to treasure on the walls of your home for decades. White tops and dresses also for the focus to be where you want it – your child! Plain white keeps anything from distracting your eye away from their perfectly smiles and the little twinkles in their eyes.
The most important part is that you change them into their white outfit after the car ride to your session! This keeps it from getting wrinkled as well as keeps their perfectly white outfit safe from any milk, snack spills, or spit ups.
If you want them to wear a hat or bow to really showcase their personality, I recommend a solid color that is either black or white. Black will allow it to “pop” against the white background and white will, again, give you that classic look.
Bonus if you make it a top with texture, like a sweater! Texture adds a beautiful touch to your personality portraits!
Kids are a lot more comfortable in front of my camera when they’re sitting down and holding something. Please bring along their favorite toy so they can hold something! If you think about it, it’s just another special thing to add to their personality portraits! As a side note, most of the photos on this page were photographed with a toy or snack bar in their hands, so no need to be concerned that it will be in all of their photos!
We want your children with full tummies! Hangry-ness is a battle we don’t want to fight during their session! I recommend feeding them in the car and in any outfit other than what they will be photographed in then changing them into their outfit once you arrive to your session.
Wipe the snack crumbs off their face and runny nose right before you get out of the car for your session! I haven’t yet met a child who loves their face being wiped (if that’s your child, I’m jealous!). It causes tears and their face ends up being red for a minute. It’s best to do this before you get inside because that will allow them to “reset” emotionally once you’re at the session and get excited for photos!
Please arrive to your session early! This helps alleviate any rushing or stress and gives your little one a moment to transition to their environment when they arrive!
No one can make your little one smile like you can!! When you come in, I’ll invite you to stand right behind me and may even squat down to play peek-a-boo with your child!
Absolutely!! Getting Personality Portraits of your little one throughout the year is the best way to watch them grow and preserve all their perfect little personality traits!
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lilly, a motherhood + family photographer located in Northern Virginia serving DC Area and Beyond! 📸
Before picking up a camera, I spent over a decade working as a senior graphic designer. Today, alongside photography, I also offer graphic design and 508 compliance services to deliver accessible, high-quality branding, marketing, and digital and print design that elevate brand presence and drive impact. Beyond knowing how to work with children, I know how to support you. I’ve built this business around a mission.
To make the family portrait experience effortless, enjoyable, and empowering for busy moms who are usually behind the scenes.
I’ll walk you through everything – from what to wear (with personal styling and a curated Client Closet) to how to prepare your kids – so you can show up feeling calm, confident, and fully present.I know it feels indulgent to make this about you for once.
I know it’s hard to slow down. But I promise – you’ll never regret stepping into the frame.
Because your family deserves to have this version of life remembered. And so you do.
Some things that will make your life easier
SPECIALIZING IN CANDID, JOY-FILLEd FAMILY + NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY