With your family portrait session just around the corner, we wanted to offer some valuable tips and suggestions to ensure we capture treasured memories that will last a lifetime!

What to expect

Your shoot is going to be awesome. 99% of the time the first ten minutes of any photoshoot can feel a lil’ awks until you and your fam 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. It’ll feel like play – the perfect way to reconnect with each other in a time when most of us lead such busy lives.

 

What to wear

Look, I get it. 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! It’s normal to want to shop for new fancy clothes to wear to a photoshoot, but usually the best route is to go with something that’s tried and true. Choosing outfits that make everyone feel comfortable and confident is a key aspect of any successful photo session. Coordinating colors and styles can result in stunning visual harmony. Solid colors or subtle patterns tend to work best, as they minimize distractions and help focus on your family’s connection. It’s also crucial to consider the location and season when selecting outfits, so everyone feels appropriately dressed and comfortable. Feel free to mix and match, but remember, the goal is to showcase your family’s personality while maintaining unity.

• Wear something that’ll keep you at the right temperature.
• Bring a couple outfits so that we can play with different options and combinations, and get a little sandy/wet/muddy if you’re game and the moment calls for it!
• If you feel like getting a little glammed up, do it! Just try to keep it as natural as possible. I love the motion that is captured with hair blowing in the wind.
• 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.

 

Timing

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.

 

Hot tip…

One day before the shoot, get all of your things ready and have them in the car. Give yourself lots of time to get to the location so you don’t feel frazzled and rushed on arrival. When a family shows up to a shoot having had to drive illegal speeds to get there, it sets the tone for a chaotic session. Allow plenty of time for showers, baths, grooming, and forgetting things.

 

How to prepare the kiddos

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! It’ll only add to the authenticity of the shoot!

 

Location

If you already know where you want to shoot, that’s amazing – I’m always up for discovering new places. If you’re not sure, don’t sweat it! I’ve got my own little index of locations for almost every scenario and we can go through them together. Ideally, we’re looking for somewhere where there aren’t too many distractions, where the light is soft, and where there’s enough space for us to move around without breaking anything. The location you choose for the family portrait plays a significant role in setting the right atmosphere and tone for your photos. Whether you prefer an outdoor setting filled with natural beauty or the cozy ambiance of an indoor studio, please let us know your preference so we can make the necessary arrangements. Additionally, scheduling a session at a time of day when everyone is well-rested and energetic tends to result in the best photos. Let us know your preferred time, and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.

 

 

Props or Personal Touch:

If there are any specific props or elements you’d like to incorporate into your portraits, please share your ideas with us. It could be anything meaningful to your family—be it a favorite toy, a cherished blanket, or an activity that you enjoy doing together. Adding these personal touches can make your photos even more unique and sentimental.

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, hanging in your backyard, 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.

 

 

It’s a collaborative process!

Our goal is to create a safe space for you to show up and be your most authentic self! Photoshoots are collaborative, dynamic, and open communication is crucial for a successful portrait session. If you have any particular expectations or visions in mind, we want to hear all about it so we can tailor the session accordingly. Share any must-have shots or specific details you’d like to highlight, such as close-ups, candid shots, or specific poses. Additionally, if any family members have unique needs or preferences, please feel free to let us know so that we can ensure everyone is comfortable and happy throughout the session!

 

So you want to bring your pup?

They are part of the family, after all! If you’re arriving with your a four-legged-friend in tow, here are some things to consider first:

• Make sure the location that we’ve chosen is dog-friendly
• Brush up on some commands and tricks to make sure they’re on their best behavior
• Make sure they’ve had lots of exercise beforehand so that they’re calm and attentive when it’s go-time
• Pack treats, toys, and a lint roller
• Give ‘em a good brush beforehand

 

Family constellations

Let us know if there are specific combinations of people who you’d like me to photograph together and I’ll make sure to prioritize based on what’s most important to you guys. I’ve got tons of poses and prompts up my sleeve for any scenario, so all you have to do is relax and go with it!

 

It’s all part of it! Take a deep breath, relax, and have fun!

A family portrait session is not only about capturing beautiful photos but also about enjoying quality time together. Our aim is to create a relaxed and enjoyable environment that allows your authentic connections to shine through. We will guide you through the process and capture candid moments that embody your family’s love and joy. Allow yourselves to truly be present in the moment, interact naturally with one another, and let your love and happiness radiate. Embrace the experience, and the results will be truly extraordinary. 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, joyous abandon, and all. Throw your checklist out the window and know that magic will naturally unfold. When it does, we’ll be there to capture it ;).

 

We are seriously so honored to be a part of capturing your visual legacy at your upcoming family portrait session! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!