What To Expect
Tips and Tricks
What to Expect During Your Photography Session
Relaxed, guided photography in Edwardsville, Illinois
Not a fan of awkward photos? Same.
Whether you’re booking a newborn, milestone, family, senior, or branding session, my goal is to make the entire experience feel easy. You don’t need perfectly behaved children, modeling experience, or any idea what to do with your hands.
I’ll help you prepare, guide you throughout the session, and take care of the little details so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
Before Your Session
Once your session is officially booked, you’ll receive everything you need to feel prepared, including:
* Session-specific preparation tips
* Guidance on what to wear
* Location and parking information
* Helpful reminders leading up to your session
* A chance to share any questions, ideas, or special requests
You do not need to arrive with a Pinterest board or a perfectly planned vision. I’ll help you create a session that feels natural, comfortable, and true to you.
During Your Session
You’ll never be left wondering what to do.
I’ll guide you through flattering poses, natural movement, and simple prompts that create genuine connection. We’ll capture the traditional everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos, but we’ll also make room for the cuddles, laughter, personalities, and in-between moments that make your family yours.
Children are not expected to sit still and smile perfectly. Babies can take breaks. Toddlers can warm up at their own pace. Dads can stop worrying about what to do with their hands.
Perfection is not required here.
Studio Newborn Sessions
Newborn sessions take place in my cozy Edwardsville photography studio, where everything is ready before you arrive. You get the warmth and connection of lifestyle newborn photography without cleaning your house or hosting a photographer during those already-exhausting newborn days.
Babies are typically photographed around 10–22 days old, although every baby and birth story is different. It is best to reserve your session during pregnancy. Once your baby arrives, we’ll confirm the exact date.
My studio is stocked with wraps, blankets, headbands, simple props, and everything needed to create a beautiful, timeless gallery. You only need to bring:
* Diapers and wipes
* Extra milk or bottles, if needed
* A pacifier, if your baby uses one
* A change of clothes for anyone being photographed
* Snacks and drinks for parents and siblings
* One meaningful item you would like included, if desired
Sessions are baby-led and include plenty of time for feeding, changing, soothing, and cuddling. Your baby does not need to arrive asleep, and no one needs to apologize for crying, spit-up, or a diaper incident. I’m a newborn photographer and a boy mom of three—very little scares me.
If siblings are participating, we’ll usually begin with family and sibling photographs before moving into baby-only portraits.
Family and Milestone Sessions
Family and milestone sessions may take place inside my Edwardsville studio or at an outdoor Metro East location selected for your session.
Expect a combination of gently guided portraits and playful prompts that encourage real interaction. Your children are allowed to move, laugh, explore, and show their personalities.
Before your session, make sure everyone is rested and fed whenever possible. Bring any essentials your children may need, including water, a simple snack, diapers, wipes, or a favorite comfort item.
The goal is not to make your family look perfect. It is to create photographs that feel like you.
Branding, Headshot, and Senior Sessions
You don’t need to know how to pose or perform for the camera. I’ll guide you through expressions, movement, hand placement, and small adjustments that help you look confident while still feeling like yourself.
We’ll plan your outfits, location, and overall direction before the session. If you’re booking a branding session, we’ll also discuss how you plan to use the images so your final gallery supports your website, social media, and marketing needs.
After Your Session
After your session, I’ll carefully review and prepare your images. You’ll receive your gallery according to the timeline outlined for your selected collection, along with simple instructions for choosing, downloading, sharing, and ordering your photographs.
Professional prints, wall art, and other products are also available directly through your gallery.
Ready to Plan Your Session?
From the first email to the final gallery, I’m here to make the process feel comfortable, organized, and refreshingly easy.
Tara Lee Photography welcomes families, babies, seniors, and business owners from Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville, Troy, Maryville, Highland, O’Fallon, and throughout the St. Louis Metro East.
Let’s create photographs that feel like you—and an experience you’ll actually enjoy.
An unforgettable experience
Celebrating the joy of family moments
Not a fan of awkward photos? Same.
At Tara Lee Photography, I keep things real, relaxed, and full of connection — so you can actually enjoy your session and love your images. Whether you're booking a newborn session, family photos, or a branding shoot in Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Troy, or anywhere in the Metro East Illinois area, here’s what you can expect every step of the way.
From outfit styling and location tips to prompts that feel natural (and maybe even fun), I’m with you from inquiry to gallery delivery. My goal is to make your session feel light, stress-free, and true to you — with a final gallery full of images that feel both timeless and full of personality.
If you’re wondering how it all works, keep scrolling — I’ve got you.
