How to Get the Most Out of Your Family Session
Having professional photos done with your family is a beautiful way to capture the moments in your children’s lives. Whether you are doing a newborn, milestone, or family session, you want photos that reflect the personalities and love you see every day. Sleepy toddlers or sullen teens can make your photos turn out a little less magical than you may have anticipated.
Here are my top tips on how you can get the most out of your family photography session!
Get to Know Your Photographer
When planning a family photo session, everyone involved will need to feel comfortable with the photographer you choose. Do your research to make sure that your photographer has experience working with kids and start to talk to your little ones about how exciting it will be to work with them. Introducing your kids to the photographer by name and letting them interact before the camera comes out will allow your children to relax during the session.
Plan Your Session Around the Kids
As a mom of three busy girls, I know that we have some hours of the day when things are just not going to get done. When you are scheduling your photo session with your photographer, make sure to consider what time of the day is best for your kiddos. My session times are fairly strict, so be sure to consider whether the early morning or evening is better for your kiddos. To avoid creating any anxiety or intimidation about the session, I suggest telling the kids that they are going to have an afternoon of fun!
Create an Inspiration Board
Look online at Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and photographer websites to check out what kind of poses other families have done. While your photographer will certainly have suggestions and ideas, this will help make sure you get the kind of pictures you want. By sharing your mood board or screenshots with your photographer ahead of time, you can even help them shape the session’s flow. As a photographer, I’m not happy unless my clients are over-the-moon with the photos I send them. If there’s something specific you want, just ask!
Pick an Area You Love
If your kids have never been to the beach, a sandy photo shoot can be hit-or-miss. Try to choose a location that your kids have previously visited and love, or one that is like a place they have been. This is an excellent way to avoid any meltdowns over itchy grass or sand on a little one’s hand.
Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time
While you are making your mood board that I mentioned before, make sure that you consider the color scheme and outfits that you want your family to wear. A last-minute wardrobe change of plans can spell disaster if you find out there is a chocolate stain in the middle of your favorite shirt. Layout the clothes the night before (in a safe place far away from chocolate) and double-check that you feel good about your choices! I also offer a client wardrobe if nothing you have in your closet seems to fit the vibe you have pictured in your mind.
Resist the “Cheese”
We all know that too-fake smile that comes over when you yell ‘Cheese’! While those funny, fake smiles might be the best we can get with a cranky kid, a photographer would ideally love to see your child’s genuine smile. Tell bad jokes and play around to get a real smile instead!
Bring Something Your Family Loves
Ice cream? Sidewalk Chalk? Soccer? Whatever it is, bring a few of your kids’ favorite toys or snacks that you can surprise them with during the session.
Go With the Flow
Your photographer will have a general plan with poses and ideas to guide you through the session, but I often find that candid photos are the ones that capture the real essence of a family. Instead of being concerned when a child starts to play or wants to run in the grass, embrace it! Start a tickle fight or start a family game. These unplanned moments will spark some genuine smiles and laughs.
Ready for your family session? Book here!
