How to prep to make your Family Photography Session successful!

It's the perfect time for family photos. In fact, any time is the perfect time. We do family sessions in all seasons. Choose your favorite season, choose complimentary colors and clothing and let's find the perfect venue for your family. Choose a place that draws your eye or choose a place that's meaningful to your family. We'd love to help you capture those memories. We can do playful/lifestyle sessions, Classic Formal Portraits, or combine the two for the best of both worlds! 

WELCOME!

Family photos are an amazing way to celebrate what makes your family so unique and capture happy memories. But for some parents, the thought of taking family photos can sound more stressful than enjoyable. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way! With a skilled, experienced family photographer behind the lens and a bit of thoughtful preparation, it can be a great experience that rewards you gorgeous photos. As your family portrait photographer, I’ll provide you with beautiful family portraits that capture all of the friendship, fun, and love in your family unit. (And I’ll help your kids have fun while doing it!)

4 STEPS FOR A STRESS FREE PHOTO SESSION WITH YOUR KIDS…

As any parent knows, making sure your kids cooperate and behave for hours at a time is no easy task! Family photo sessions can seem a bit daunting. But with some preparation and a lot of patience, your family photo session can be an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Here’s how you can make sure your photo session is stress-free.

PREP YOUR KIDS IN ADVANCE Tell your kids about the photoshoot well ahead of time. Tell them what to expect. Let them know how much you’re looking forward to it and why your family is doing it. If you’re excited, they’ll definitely catch your enthusiasm!

LET THEM BE INVOLVED Include your children in the planning process. Ask them what colors they think the family should wear. Help them pick out an outfit, either from their closet or at the store. When children feel involved, they’re much more willing to participate.

BRING BACK UP Make sure you’re well prepared for photoshoot day. Bring along a change of clothes, plenty of snacks, water, diapers, etc. That way, even if the unexpected happens, you’ll be ready for it!

MAKE IT FUN! Make photoshoot day a special occasion! Bring along snacks and toys to keep their energy up. Plan on doing something fun after the session so they look forward to the outing all day.

best times for your FAMILY PHOTO SESSION

Timing is always important to consider when it comes to photography, especially when children are involved. Timing can be the difference between a frustrating session and an enjoyable, memorable photoshoot. So when is the best time to have your family photo session?

DURING PLEASANT WEATHER

If you’re planning on having an outdoor photoshoot, try to schedule it during pleasant weather. If it’s too hot outside, you might all feel sweaty and uncomfortable. If it’s too cold, your kids might complain — and their irritation will likely show through in photos. Consider a reschedule if your photo day comes and the weather concerns you. We recommend specifically with young children to reschedule if the weather is really cold! No matter the season, just be sure to plan accordingly. DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE WEATHER! A sun dress and a sweater in winter might not be your best option on your 4 year old in November (even if it’s cute)….yup I’m guilty of this…oops.

AFTER A MEAL

Make sure children (and adults!) are well-fed before the photo session. If they’re hungry, they might start to get a little ansy and cranky. If you’re plannin on going to dinner after the shoot, give your kids a filling snack before the session and pack a few extras just in case. If you do give snacks in the car on the way, consider not putting children into their photo outfit until you have reached the location (this helps with wrinkles too).

WHENEVER YOUR KIDS ARE WELL RESTED

Nothing makes kids grouchy and uncooperative like being tired. Be sure that your Family session doesn’t interrupt any of your kids naptime or bedtime routines. As photographers we know that best outdoor light is right before sunset. SO if you have little kids who have early bedtimes, summer may not be your best option when sunset is so late. You may have to go with Fall and Spring Photos until kids are a bit older and can handle the later shooting time. Or if possible adjust to later naptime and bedtimes during the week before your session if you are set on a summer look.

DURING GOLDEN HOUR

As mentioned above, ideal lighting for outdoor sessions is within the last two hours of the day before sunset.

TIPS ON WHAT TO WEAR

When it comes to family portraits, one of the most common questions we get is, “What should we wear?” It’s a tricky decision! Since these photos will last a lifetime, you want to make sure your entire family looks as good as possible. But at the same time, you also want them to look like themselves — not wearing stuffy clothes that make them feel uncomfortable. We always recommend wearing clothing that makes you feel and look your best, which can be different for every person. Here are a few other wardrobe suggestions that photograph beautifully.

WEAR COORDINATING OUTFITS (NOT MATCHING) Make sure your outfits coordinate well with one another. Stick to a color palette of one or two colors. Matching outfits can look a little dated — coordinated outfits look harmonious and pretty. To make sure all of your outfits go well together, try laying out everyone’s photoshoot outfits together the day before. I like to start with mom and what she feels beautiful in (if mom’s not happy nobody is!) I choose one person to have a light pattern, and use the color scheme there for solids and layers for everyone else.

LET YOUR KIDS HAVE A SAY Ask your children what they’d like to wear. Asking their opinions will help to make sure they feel comfortable and involved. (Just make sure they know their picks are subject to your final approval — otherwise, you might have a little Spiderman in your family portraits!)

DRESS WEATHER APPROPRIATE Keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure you dress accordingly. Choose colors that are appropriate for the season. And if it’ll be chilly during your photoshoot, be sure to bundle up a bit!

A FEW DON’TS While what you decide to wear is ultimately up to you and your family, there are a few things that tend not to photograph well.

• Patterns: one or two family members wearing a pattern is okay, but too many patterns tend to clash and draw too much attention.

• White: wearing white tends to wash people out and glow in portraits. White shoes with dark colors will be the focus of the photos by default.

• Large logos: graphic tees tend to distract from the most important part of the photo — your beautiful faces!

• Ball caps….I know many men feel naked without them, but they cause shadows on the face that are not flattering for photos.

I’m not above bribes, but I prefer not to witness threats in sessions. Keeping the feelings upbeat and positive will assure a good experience. I promise you will be able to see the “mood” in your images, so keep it happy! Come prepared to enjoy eachother and interact and show me the relationships you have. I love capturing the formal portrait, but I ADORE capturing the magic moments in between that show the relationships between parents and children, siblings, and spouses!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

If your session time comes and your children seems to be “out of control” or a little “crazy” DON’T STRESS. I promise I won’t stress. In fact when kids show their “true colors” this is where the magic happens. If we capture some tears (so be it) , If I have to chase your kids around while my pants fall down and sweat drips down my face (so be it). Just let the magic happen. There is always magic in the middle of chaos. Just keep smiling and let’s capture the memories. My youngest daughter cried in every family photo until she was 10 years old. We will tease her forever and you know what, her teary eyed faces and mom and dad snuggles that ensued and were captured are just as precious as the goofy faces of my boys and the perfect smiles of my oldest daughter. I love it all, it’s part of the story. Let’s savor the story through beautiful imagery. I can’t wait!