Session Plan — Elizabeth + Reina

Overview

• Goal: create a suite of elegant portraits that convey regal beauty, strength, and the bond between you and Reina. Three distinct setups will give us variety while keeping the overall mood cohesive and refined. Quality over quantity—careful poses, attention to details, and a relaxed pace.

Logistics

• Date/time: confirm preferred date and time. I am available January 25th (Sunday), January 31st (Sat), or Feb. 1st (Sunday).

• I’m happy to offer a no‑charge session in exchange for permission to post approved images from your session on my social media and website and for you to send in a review on my Google business page. I will send you the link after you receive your edited photos.

• Location: your home. I will bring lights, background and other needed equipment. All equipment has rubber feet and I will be very cautious in your home. We will be using your antique chair, piano and bench and curtain with tie to draw it back as shown in the mood board photo below,

• Duration: I want to give us at least 2+ hours for our session. This allows for outfit adjustments, pet breaks, and thoughtful, composed frames. I recommend not making outside plans close to our scheduled session so we can enjoy ourselves and take our time.😁📸

• Plan for your outfits: I recommend your style to be formal, dressy—no jeans or casual wear. Do not wear white or neon colors. If you want to change outfits feel free but not obligated to. Have on hand Reina’s favorite treats, a brush, leash (thin or decorative if you have one), and any small props you want included (collar, vintage brooch).

More Styling Guidance

• Dress code: dressy/formal—dresses or tailored pieces in solid, rich tones (burgundy, deep green, jewel tones, black, ivory, gold). Avoid blue denim, loud patterns, and busy prints that compete with the painterly look. GLASSES: If you want photos wearing glasses, please select a pair you love without the glass in them (frames only). No worries if not, just be prepared it will take up time to find the right angle of light to avoid reflections.

• Reina: groomed and brushed so her coat looks its best. Consider a refined collar or a ribbon in a complementary color.

Setup 1 — Painterly dark brown background (waist-up / headshots)

• Mood: intimate, dramatic, classic portraiture.

• Framing: waist-up for you; headshots and waist-up with Reina in your arms or beside you. Close-ups focusing on faces and the emotional connection.

• Lighting: soft, directional Rembrandt-style or loop lighting with gentle falloff to emphasize facial structure and Reina’s features.

Setup 2 — Antique chair + curtain tied back

• Mood: regal, slightly theatrical, evocative of a portrait from a grand room.

• Props/arrangement: antique chair as primary prop; draw the curtain with the tie as shown in the mood board photo below to create a luxurious feel.

• Lighting: softer, slightly more open than the dark background but still moody—use both window, main, and fill light.

• Poses:

  • You seated in the chair with Reina at your feet, looking composed and statuesque.

  • You turned slightly, hand resting on chair arm, Reina perched beside you.

  • Standing behind the chair, one hand on the back, Reina in your arms or sitting on the seat—creates vertical elegance.

Setup 3 — Piano inclusion

• Mood: graceful, intimate, artistic—piano adds musical, cultural, and elegant context.

• Placement: use the piano to create the scene. Consider open lid with a stack of sheet music or a decorative object to add interest.

• Lighting: soft lighting using main and fill lights.

• Poses:

  • You seated at the piano bench with Reina by your feet. Full body shots

  This is my guideline for the vision I have for your photo session. If at any point I’m moving in a direction you don’t want, please tell me — I welcome your feedback and ideas. You can also text me any “must-have” images or specific poses you’re thinking about.

  The images below are meant to convey the mood and feeling I’m aiming for; they are not exact representations of our session.

  I’m excited to work with you and create portraits that celebrate your personality and connections. Looking forward to our session!