Family Session Welcome Guide

A 42-page welcome guide for family photographers to send to clients after they book. It's already written in your voice and designed, so you only add your name, photos and details in Canva. Your families arrive relaxed, dressed in coordinated outfits, with children who know what to expect.

Made for family photographers. This is not a family photo album or a planner for parents.

Written by Cagdas Yoldas, a fine art wedding and family photographer with 15+ years of experience, published in Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty and Cosmopolitan.

✨ AT A GLANCE

- 42 pages, plus 10 alternative cover designs

- US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) and A4 (210 × 297 mm), portrait

- Canva (free or Pro account)

- PDF download with your Canva template links

- Style: elegant, minimal, editorial

- When to use: send to families after they book their session

✨ WHY PHOTOGRAPHERS USE IT

- Answers the questions parents ask again and again, before they ask

- Helps families choose the right session length, so you're not explaining it over email

- Outfit and "what to bring" guidance means fewer clashing colours and forgotten snacks

- Tips for preparing children and teens lead to happier kids and more natural photos

- Saves the weeks it takes to write and design a guide from scratch

✨ WHAT'S INSIDE: 5 CHAPTERS

01 Welcome: introduction from you, your approach to family photography

02 Your Session: a typical session, choosing your session (mini, signature, extended), location and timing, how the session unfolds, in-home sessions

03 Preparing: what to wear plus an outfit breakdown, what to bring with a checklist, games we play, preparing your children, older children and teens, a note for parents

04 Your Photos: online gallery, prints, albums and wall art

05 Good to Know: common questions, before your session, a few honest words about photographing children, getting to know you

Plus "pro tips" pages throughout, a quote page, and a contact page for your website, Instagram, Facebook and email.

✨ WHAT'S INCLUDED

- 42-page guide in US Letter and A4 sizes

- Front and back covers, plus 10 alternative cover designs

- All copy pre-written and ready to edit

- No prices in the guide, so it works with any package or pricing

✨ WHAT YOU CAN EDIT

Everything: text, photos, colours, fonts, layouts and page order. Add, remove or duplicate pages to fit your sessions.

✨ WHAT YOU NEED

- A free or Pro Canva account

- A PDF reader to open the download link

✨ HOW IT WORKS

1. Download the PDF. It contains your Canva template links.

2. Open the link for your size and make your own copy.

3. Change the photos, colours, fonts and text to match your brand and your own sessions.

4. Export from Canva and email it to families after they book, or print it.

✨ PRINTING

- For email: export as "PDF Standard" for a small file that's easy to send

- For print: export as "PDF Print" for high-resolution, print-ready pages

✨ GOOD TO KNOW

- Digital download. Sample photos and mockups are not included.

- Uses free fonts. You can swap in your own brand fonts.

- Shoot weddings too? See the matching Wedding Welcome Guide in my shop.

- Need help customizing it? Message me. I usually reply within a few hours.

Photos by Cagdas Yoldas