Creating Picture Perfect Photos for Families
Picture this, a beautiful summer evening: the sun is setting and the sky is a spectacular canvas of colors. The temperature is warm, but no humidity in the air. A family is smiling, laughing, and relishing in their time together. The kids are playful, but well behaved. The parents are enthusiastically engaged with their children and committed to capturing these moments. Just like the evening itself is perfect, so is everyone’s mood.
The result, effortless and absolutely perfect family photos. And…this description is interrupted by a reality check.
My family photo sessions may give off the impression of beautiful moments being easily captured, but MOST of the time this is not ALWAYS the case. Kids are fun, amazing, playful, but totally unpredictable. Just like the gorgeous summer setting can change without warning to a full on thunderstorm, so can the vibe of a photo shoot. So that being said, I wanted to provide some tips for parents to best prepare for family photography sessions. Some of these may seem obvious, but are absolutely essential in helping your family get the best photos possible. So off we go!
1. Your child’s schedule dictates everything. Lol. But for real- do not schedule your photography session at a time when your young child/baby/toddler would typically be dreaming away OR at a time when they are typically eating. We are creatures of habit, and I assure you the little one will not cooperate if they are tired or hungry.
2. A fed child is a happy child. Actually, a fed person is a happy person. I think this applies to moms and dads too. Just make sure no one is HANGRY.
3. I’m not telling you how to parent, but if your child is motivated by food…feel free to bring their favorite snack as an incentive.
4. You may have the absolutely perfect outfits in mind for your photography session, and obviously go with how you want your child styled, but that being said…please check the weather and make sure your child is dressed appropriately. It is important that they are warm/cool enough so that they are comfortable, especially if your session is outdoors. Feel free to bring a jacket/sweater or even a blanket to cozy up to in between photos.
5. A prepared kid is calm and knows what to expect. Let your child know in advance what to expect from the photography session, especially if they are not fond of having their picture taken. Talk up the location and how fun the experience will be. Let them know what the process will be like.
6. Get to your location on time. We all have those days when we are running behind, and goodness that happens a lot with children, but make sure to be on time for this. Running late is going to increase everyone’s stress.
7. Show that you are excited about the session, and enjoy it! Kids are sooo perceptive and if they know parents aren’t on board or are stressed about the shoot…they aren’t going to buy in. To get smiles, we need them to buy in!
8. I want you to enjoy yourself too, so sit back and relax and I’ll direct everyone into fun and engaging games that give the best photo results.
If you have other suggestions or questions, I am always open to feedback. My goal is to create photographs that look effortless and photos that you cherish forever. I can’t wait to take your family photos.
