How to prepare for Family photos
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION
We are going to have so much fun and capture many photos of your family's personality. 99% of the time the first ten minutes of any photoshoot can feel a little awkward until you and your family can relax into it and feel confident in front of the camera. I will help you guys do this! I'll always prompt and direct you and never leave you hanging with no idea what you should be doing next. I want this experience to be fun – the perfect way to reconnect with each other in a time when most of us lead such busy lives.
WHAT TO WEAR: IDEAS
Dressing yourself in the morning is tough enough when you don’t have to stand in front of a camera and be your best self. Add having to dress a couple of kids and perhaps even your partner, and things can get a little complicated! But the number one thing I want you to remember is that being comfortable is everything!
If you have anything in your wardrobe that is textured, sheer, or billowy, fabrics that flow show up so beautifully in photographs.
Avoid starchy, stiff-seeming garments that get crumpled in weird spots and need adjusting.
Be careful with prints, logos, and bright colors as sometimes these detract from the most important parts of the photograph – you!
Avoid matching. Find complementary outfits that showcase a controlled variety of textures and colors so you can look good together without looking the same.
My go-to quote for almost every session is, "less is more". Start with a color pallet that matches the vibe you want your photos to reflect and that coordinate with your location. Kids and husbands need to be comfortable! They are already probably dragging their feet about dressing up but keep them comfortable so we can have fun! Want more info? Let me know. I can send you my comprehensive What to Wear Guide.
PICKING A TIME FOR A SESSION
I love to shoot when the sun is low in the sky (just before sunset or just after sunrise) because that’s when everything looks magical. Depending on when the sun rises and sets, this window of time might not work for everyone. But let’s have a chat about when the kids are at their best and work according to their schedules! If the plan is studio or in-home we have a bit more wiggle room.
WHAT TO PREP
There are lots of variables in family shoots that are beyond our control. When photographing kids, I’ve learned relatively quickly that every plan is contingent on their mood. In the leadup to the session, get the kids excited about what’s to come.
Let them know we’ll be playing lots of fun games, and there might even be delicious snacks on offer. Packing a stash of mini marshmallows to bust out right when the kids need that slice of motivation buys us a lot of precious time and cooperation!
If your kids want to bring their favorite stuffed toy or wear their favorite rain boots, let them! Trying to get that "perfect" picture will drive you crazy, instead just know we are going to capture the personality of each family member in this moment of time.
If it feels like too much of a struggle to get everyone dressed and fed and out of the house on time, consider having the session at home! From candid moments around the kitchen table, to rolling around in tickle fights on the bed, I am a huge fan of in-home sessions for the way they authentically capture a snippet of your family reality.
LETS CAPTURE THE MEMORIES OF TODAY
If you walk away after reading this and only remember one thing, let it be this: have zero expectations. Embrace what comes – the wind, the rain, the laughter, whatever unfolds. It’s all about YOU and capturing your life exactly how it is on the day of your shoot – wrinkles, tears, laughs, and all. Throw your checklist out the window and know that magic will naturally unfold. When it does, I’ll be there to capture it.
