What to Expect at Your Family Photo Session with Christie Gare Photography - Serving Frisco, McKinney and Prosper TX

Booking a family photo session should be exciting, not stressful! Whether you are in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, or anywhere across North Texas, I want you to feel completely confident and comfortable from the moment you reach out to the moment your gallery lands in your inbox. Here is everything you need to know about what to expect when you book a session with Christie Gare Photography, a family photographer Frisco McKinney Prosper TX.

Your Frisco, McKinney and Prosper TX Family Photographer

Hi, I'm Christie Gare! I am a full time family photographer serving Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Plano, and all of North Texas. I specialize in family, newborn, milestone, maternity, senior and headshot photography with both outdoor and studio options available year round. Mini sessions are my jam!

What makes Christie Gare Photography different? 

Every single session includes ALL edited images with zero upselling and zero surprises. You will never sit down after your session and have to choose between packages or pay extra to get your photos. You get everything, every time. Period.

I am also a former teacher, which means I genuinely love working with kids. Getting real smiles out of little ones is kind of my superpower!

Step 1 - Reaching Out and Booking Your Session

Getting started is simple. You can reach out through my website contact form, send me a DM on Instagram, or fill out my inquiry form. I respond quickly and love getting to chat with new families before we book!

Once we connect, here is what the booking process looks like:

• We chat about what type of session you are looking for - family, newborn, milestone, senior, maternity or headshots

• We decide between an outdoor session or my studio in Frisco

• We pick a date and time that works for your family

• You pay your retainer to lock in your spot

• I send over all the details you need to prepare for an amazing session the week of.

Before Your Session - How to Prepare

In the days leading up to your session I will be in touch with any location details, timing, and reminders. I want you to feel totally prepared so you can just show up and enjoy the experience.

A few things to take care of before your session:

• Get everyone rested - tired kids make for tough sessions! Try to schedule naps before your session time if you have little ones. This is a great blog post for tips with kids for photos.

• Feed everyone - a hungry toddler is a grumpy toddler. A small snack right before works wonders.

• Plan your outfits - see the outfit section below for all my tips!

• Manage expectations with your kids - tell them it will be fun, you might have a snack, and keep it light and positive.

• Check the weather but do not panic - I monitor the forecast and will reach out if there is a concern. No news from me means we are shooting! Here are my weather policies!

  
  

  

What to Wear for Your Family Session in Frisco TX

Outfits are one of the things families stress about most and I am here to tell you - it does not have to be complicated! Here are my favorite outfit tips for families in Frisco, McKinney and Prosper:

• Coordinate, do not match - everyone in the same color looks dated. Instead pick a color palette of 2-3 colors and let everyone wear something different within that palette. christiegare.com/tips

• Avoid busy patterns and logos - stripes, plaids and large logos distract from your faces in photos.

• Layers and textures photograph beautifully - denim jackets, cardigans, flowy dresses and vests all add visual interest to your photos.

• Think about comfort - especially for kids. If they are uncomfortable they will show it. Comfortable kids are happy kids!

• Shoes matter more than you think - for outdoor sessions in North Texas fields and parks, practical shoes are important especially for little ones. But, prob not the time for those old tennis shoes.

• Neutrals and earth tones photograph beautifully outdoors - creams, tans, dusty blues, sage greens and warm terracottas are always a great choice for Texas landscapes.
  

The Day of Your Session - What to Expect

The day is here! Here is what a typical Christie Gare Photography session looks like:

• Arrive a few minutes early - rushing in stressed does not set the tone for a relaxed session. Give yourself a few extra minutes! ** Please remember, no naps on the way to the shoot! Kids have the HARDEST time adjusting after waking up and seeing a random lady with a camera. Ha. Ask me how I know.
  

• We start casual -I usually start with family photos first so the kids can feel comfortable around me while in your arms/near you.
  

• I overshoot on purpose - I keep shooting because just because we hit the minimum number of images does not mean I stop. I want to give you as much variety as possible.
  

• Outdoor sessions are timed around golden hour - for the most beautiful North Texas light, outdoor sessions are scheduled in the evening so we can capture that gorgeous warm glow. Seriously, my calendar has the sunset times of every week throughout the entire year. Ha.

  
  

  

During Your Session in McKinney, Frisco or Prosper TX

My approach is a mix of posed and natural - and honestly that is exactly what makes for the most complete gallery. I work for both because I believe you deserve all of it.

We start with some of my favorite posed frames. Think classic, beautiful portraits where everyone looks amazing and you can actually see faces clearly. These are the ones that go on the wall, get framed, and become the photos you pass down.

Then we mix in the snuggles. Parents pulling kids in close, little ones tucked under chins, siblings wrapping arms around each other. These are the shots that make you tear up a little when you see them in your gallery.

And somewhere in between we catch the real moments too. A giggle, a chase, a look between you and your spouse that says everything without a word.

By the end of your session you will have a gallery with variety -- posed portraits you are proud to frame, snuggle shots that pull at your heartstrings, and candid moments that show your family exactly as you are right now.

For studio sessions at my Frisco studio the same approach applies, with beautiful natural window light creating a clean, timeless look for every type of shot.

After Your Session - Getting Your Photos

This is the part everyone looks forward to! Here is what happens after your session wraps up:

• Editing time - your images are carefully edited with my signature style. Please allow time for editing and I will keep you posted on your delivery date. 99% of the time, I never take longer than 1 week to get your images back! Seriously!
  

• Gallery delivery - your finished gallery will be delivered digitally so you can download, share and print your images from anywhere.
  

• ALL images included - every edited image from your session is included in your gallery. No choosing packages. No buying extras. Everything is yours.
  

• Zero upselling - you will never receive a sales call or a pitch to buy prints or albums after your session. What you paid upfront is what you pay. Period.
  

  
  

Ready to Book Your Family Session in Frisco, McKinney or Prosper TX?

I would love to meet your family and create beautiful images you will treasure forever. Whether you are in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Plano or anywhere across North Texas, I am ready to capture your family's story.

Reach out today to check availability and get your family on the calendar. I can not wait to meet you!

Session Inquiries

Christie Gare Photography

Family Photographer serving Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Plano and all of North Texas