How to Prepare for Your Family Photoshoot
Seattle Family Photography
Okay, so you finally took the plunge and hired a professional photographer for your next family session. What now? Preparing for a family photo session can feel daunting. As a parent, your mind is already racing about color schemes, outfit choices, whether or not your toddler (or teenager) will behave, will the photographer be able to make you look halfway decent and human after four babies and no measurable sleep after a decade of sleep deprivation…
There is so much to think about and plan for. But with just a little forethought, you can waltz into your next photo session prepared and ready to let the beauty of your family connection unfold.
Here are some tips, tricks, and all-around great advice to get you in the right headspace for your session.
#1 Family photo sessions should be fun!
The first thing you should do to prepare for your family photo session is build the excitement. As a parent, you have the ability to set the tone with your babies and partner. Photo sessions should be fun and when you tell your family that the session will be fun, they will come into the session with a positive attitude. No bribing necessary.
#2 Get on the same page as your photographer!
I had a client a number of years ago who wasn't on the same page as me, or I wasn't on the same page as her. It happens, but the sticky situation I later found myself in could have been completely avoided if I had some key information about her very specific needs. The session and the photos would have matched what she was looking for, had she told me this critical information, but because information was kept from me, the session was a disaster. The photos turned out beautiful, but the session was not fun and my client, the mother that I wanted desperately to please, was not happy with the final product. This could have all been avoided had she communicated her needs with me.
Communication is key. If you don't communicate with your photographer, you run the risk of not loving your session. Tell your photographer things they need to know, like one of your children is neuro-diverse and doesn't like to be touched or needs a bit to warm up, or that your daughter will not let go over her lovey, and Mr. Wiggles will need to be a part of the session.
Knowing your family's needs allows the photographer to better serve you. Communication allows your photographer to reach your kids/family at their level. Your photographer needs to know when they are working with diverse thinkers, people that are differently abled physically and cognitively, or specific sensitivities so that they can serve you fully.
Tell your photographer anything that will help make the day go smoothly. Don't be shy. These are your memories. Communicate your needs to see if you are actually a good fit with the photographer you have your heart set on, if you don't, you run the risk of being disappointed with your family photo session, and no photographer wants that.
#3 Adjust your expectations. You are not in control.
I know it's hard to hear, especially if we are used to being the one at the reins, but you are not in control of the session and when you, as the client, attempt to control the situation, it can make for a frustrating experience for everyone.
It is hard to relinquish control, especially when it comes to you and how your family is captured. But you are not in control of the session. Don't tell your kids to smile or break a pose to correct them when they aren't "behaving." This leads to confusion and anxiety.
Instead, let your photographer pose, correct, and direct the session. I have worked with children my entire life as an educator. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, and I guarantee that if you let me be the cruise director, we will get memories to last a lifetime, and you will have a much happier experience, which means your kids and partner will be more cooperative next time. It's a win for all!
So kick back. Let someone else do all the work. Just listen, adjust, and come along for the ride.
#4 Choose the right outfits!
Choosing the right outfits for your family doesn't need to be difficult. Start by planning out mom's outfit first. Often times, mom's aren't in photos and so this is mom's time to shine and feel her best. Then build the other outfits around mom's. Choose a color palate for your session and then built outfits around that palate. Mix coordinating patterns with solids, textures, and prints. See my Family Session Style Guide blog post.
#5 Get enough rest the day before and the day of!
As parents, we all know how difficult life can be with an exhausted kid; it doesn't matter if they are toddlers or teens. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep the night before and that small children have a good nap before the session. Well rested children have more fun and it shows in every frame.
Additionally…
Your photo session should be the only event that day. If you cram in a bunch of activities before your photos session, your family will be worn out, uncooperative, tired, and hangry. That is why this should be the only thing on your calendar the day of your session. It’s an event to get everyone dressed, hair done, and out the door on time. Why add to the stress of getting ready by cramming in a visit to grandma, a trip to the mall, and your oldest child’s soccer game. Instead, plan out your calendar so that the only thing your kids are responsible for that day is showing up and loving their family.
#6 Eat a healthy snack before your session!
What's harder than a sleepy child? A hangry child. Children who are hungry are quick to frustration and tears. Sessions should be fun, but it's very hard to have fun when you have an empty tummy. Bring your kids favorite portable snacks along (I usually have some as well), and we will have so much fun capturing memories with giggles and love because no one will be hungry. And if we need a snack break, we know that we have everything we need to move on in just a few short minutes. Remember, nothing is worse than the hangries, especially during family photo sessions.
#7 Bring special items with you!
My little girl has a stuffy named “Lion.” She’s had Lion in tow since she was only 2-years old. We got him at the Wild Game Farm in Sequim, and since that day, she has had him by her side. Now that she’s older, Lion is just her sleeping buddy, but he’s still a vital part of our routine whenever we go anywhere. I have many photos with Lion because he’s that important. Does your child have a special lovey or toy that they cannot live without? Bring it with you to sessions. Even if your child's lovey is tattered and worn, it's a part of them. Your child's favorite bear or puppy stuffed animal is a part of their story and a part of your family legacy. Years from now, you will find that cherished lovey and it will still have the faint scent of your toddler on it. These special items are important and should be included, especially if your little has anxiety without their special stuffy.
#8 Bring a change of clothes for everyone!
Kid’s somehow find a way to get dirty, even when there is nothing around that can muss up their perfect outfit. How do they find something sticky wherever they go? I don’t know how they do it, but they always manage to. I'm not gonna lie, I still keep some extra clothes in my car for my teen and tween. Kids are messy; stuff can and will happen to make your child dirty. Kids get muddy, wet, have monster sneezes and use their sleeves as tissue...
Get ahead of the game by having a change of clothes that goes with your color palate. That way, you remove one more elements of stress from your session day.
#9 How long do sessions typically last and what if my kid is just done?
My sessions are booked for an hour, but sometimes, an hour is way too long for a little person. That is why I try to get all of the important shots, what we like to call the "money shots" at the very beginning. The super posed shots are not the most fun for kids, so we get those out of the way fast in order to make way for the fun, loving, interactive lifestyle shots.
The first 20 minutes will be spent getting those photos that grandma wants, that leaves us with 30-40 minutes to play and let everyone's personality shine through. I pay attention to how the kids are behaving and I give lots of breaks throughout the session where I am dealing with just mom and one kid, or just dad and one kid, or just one kid all by themselves. This gives children the opportunity to get their wiggles out off camera.
#10 Why do you want to photograph us during “Golden Hour?”
Golden hour doesn’t last that long. It’s that short time period, right before sunset, when the light is soft and warm and everyone has an ethereal glow. Its beautiful and even, and it’s how we get those sun flares and bursts. But in the summer, golden hour can be close to 9 pm. If that’s too late for your family, there are a few ways we can adjust. One way is to make sure that this is your only event for the day, so you can push out nap times and feeding times. My sessions are pretty active and move quickly, so as long as your children are rested and well fed, that later time slot works perfectly.
If you still aren’t sure, we do offer morning and afternoon session times, but your photos won’t have that warm, golden glow that golden hour affords. Because of this reason, I try to book sessions 1-2 hours before golden hour for most sessions.
But we live in the Pacific Northwest, and sometimes, golden hour doesn’t happen… even if we have planned for it. And that’s okay. I love photographing people in overcast, windy, and even rainy conditions.
You have options, but if you want that golden glow, you will need to plan for a sunset session.
#11 How do you pose families?
Lifestyle photography is highly posed while looking effortless and often candid, but make no mistake, I am guiding and directing you the entire time. That might mean I move or position a hand, your feet, the direction of your face, the negative space between you and your family. We are getting close and you are getting even closer to your people. The main thing I want to capture is the love that you feel with and for your family. That means that family members will hug, partners will kiss, and everyone will be snuggled up close to one another. Again, get on the same page as your photographer. My page is connection equals perfection! So snuggle up, Buttercup!
#12 We finished our session, now what?
I am an all-inclusive photographer. That means that you get all the images that I edit in your personalized, online gallery. My galleries are edited in both color and black and white, and galleries have up to 50 unique photos each (sometimes more). You do not pay extra for digital files because they are all included. Additionally, you can purchase print products directly from your gallery from one of the best printing labs in the world. I believe that you deserve to have everything in your gallery, so that is why I don’t do in-person sales. Just hit that “Download All” button and enjoy. All I ask is that you print and hang that art for all to see.
I hope that helps you prepare for your next family photo session and that you get images that you love forever. Sessions don’t need to be something you dread, in fact, they can be something that your family looks forward to every year.
Have questions? Reach out. I am here for you on social media, by email, or through my website. I look forward to hearing from you and connecting with your beautiful family.