Family Photo Shoot Tips:
1. Choose Your Clothing Carefully: Be sure to pick your outfits ahead of time to make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant? Chose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow, bright red accents or blue. You can also choose to add some fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc.
2. Be Well Rested and Fed: Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, let’s talk about a different alternative:) We can take pictures at a location with open shade to ensure we get the best lighting for our time. Also, don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. Scheduling dinner towards the end of the photo session may not always be the best choice, if you do be sure to bring some healthy snacks for the meantime.
3. Leave Plenty of Time to Get Ready: Moms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family is dressed and ready. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.
4. “Cheese” Is For Pizza: To ensure we get the best images, lets try a more candid approach:) Let’s leave the “cheese” at home! Instead let’s have some REAL fun:) This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. I am here to capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with and coaxing out those smiles naturally and easily.
5. Have FUN With Your Family: Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. Give your wife a sweet kiss on the check. Tell your husband how much you love him and appreciate him for being there for your family. Have fun. Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Doing these things will allow me (your photographer) to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Let’s leave the “cheese” faces at home and simply show me (your photographer) who you really are so that I have the opportunity to capture your love through my lenses.
6. Bring An Activity You Enjoy Doing As A Family: My most successful family sessions have incorporated an activity that the family loves to do together. This gives you something to do with your hands and feet, engages the little ones, and brings an authentic smile to your face. Do you love to read together? Bring some books. Is your favorite dessert ice cream? Bring some ice cream bars or drumsticks to your session. Love to play board games or cards? Plan to play a round of Uno or Monopoly during your family photo session. Other ideas include: football, piggy back rides, races, bike riding, hiking, singing, picnics, blowing bubbles the ideas are endless. When families are engaged in doing something that they love together, we will have the opportunity to take some beautiful and authentic photographs together.
7. It Is OKAY That NOT Everyone Is Looking And Smiling At The Camera At The Same Time: The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other. Understand that not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family members and your smile with be natural. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.