Connection > Perfection | A guide on how to make your family session look and feel natural

Jul 9

The most important objective for me as a family photographer is to provide a visual representation of the day-to-day, loving moments that occur at home. Moments we wish we had a picture of to look at when we reminisce about our children. Like any other mom, I often find myself wishing I had a live-in photographer documenting all the funny and sweet moments we experience as a family on a daily basis, and I hear from my clients that’s exactly what they want from their session: photos that capture the infinite love they feel for their children, their dynamic and their little personalities.

So then, why do family photoshoots leave you stressed out, drained and worried you didn’t get the shots you wanted? (never mind your children are all grounded by the end of it and/or even crying) Let’s dive into some things you can do (and avoid) to leave your session feeling happy, grateful and excited about seeing the final gallery.

1) Failing to prepare is preparing to fail: Don’t leave things for the last minute (seriously) is as simple and as hard as that. If you leave things for the last minute, it will show.

Have everyone’s outfits ready a week in advance (with layers/variations in case weather is a little cooler or a little hotter than expected, or if it rains) (Kids wont act cute if they are cold and you wont be happy if you have to now wear a sweater that doesn’t match your outfit, so prepare all the layers for the outfits to be cute no matter the weather)
Groom yourselves. Make sure husband/kids have fresh haircuts. Lashes, nails should be done no later than the day before of the photoshoot. Make sure all outfits are wrinkle free.
If you are using props make sure you have them ready to go no later than the day before of the shoot (this is why outfits should be taken care of a week in advance, so the week-of can be for props and grooming)
If you have small children make sure they are napped and fed before the session or they will be cranky and there is nothing the photographer can do to fix this. Make sure they use the bathroom before you leave if the photoshoot is outdoors with no bathroom on site.
Bring a little treat/toy to pop out when kids start getting bored and antsy. Make sure the kids dont know about it so they can truly get happy. This is a life saver!
Do not overexert yourself and your family the day before the photoshoot so you are not tired or groggy the day of.

2) Mindset is everything: If you do everything, I mentioned above then you can get in the right mindset the day of because all details are taken care of. Your #1 priority during your session is to be HAPPY. That’s right, you read that correctly: no matter what the kids are doing your job is to look happy and keep a positive and patient attitude throughout the photoshoot. Kids are fighting? Redirect their attention with positive affirmations like “who wants ice cream after the shoot?” “who’s going to get the most Chuck E Cheese games for being so good?” If baby is fussing just cuddle him/her… If your kids are acting out, you getting upset is just going to worsen the situation for everybody, so please, the day of, your #1 top priority is to just be HAPPY MOM.

3) Be yourself: Photography sessions can be a great opportunity to reconnect with your kids. Routines and work can sometimes put some distance between you and your spouse and even little ones so this is a great chance to have one-on-one uninterrupted, present connection with each one.

Last but not least: if this is all overwhelming to you, you have my permission to throw it all away and just show up and love on your family. I’ll get beautiful photos of your family loving on each other and at the end of the day that’s what its about.