Family photos hold a special place in our lives and in our hearts. These are images we’ll look back on for years to come, images that our children and grandchildren will look at to remind themselves of where they came from and how much their family has changed and grown.
Tracking your family’s growth is a great reason to take annual family photos. But once you’ve booked your session, you may be feeling some trepidation. How am I going to get all the kids to behave? What should everyone wear? What if our pictures turn out terrible because no one will cooperate?
A family photo session can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent, but the results are well worth the effort. To help you feel a little less stressed about getting everyone dressed and smiling, we’ve put together this handy guide on how to prepare for and make the most of your family session.
Pre-Session
Schedule at the Right Time of Day
When it comes to photographing young children, scheduling is everything. You don’t want to schedule a photoshoot right in the middle of naptime and end up with a cranky toddler. In the same way, if your session runs over into dinnertime, your little one may throw a tantrum. Even if you want “golden hour” images, consider your kids and what time of day they’re most alert, awake, and content. I always tell parents to schedule their naps around the time of the shoot. So if we are doing a golden hour session, I recommend a later nap that day. Also to make sure the kids eat before the shoot.
Talk to Your Kids Beforehand
A photo session is not something you want to drag your kids to without warning them. Take time to sit your kids down and explain what they can expect at the family session and how they should behave. Emphasize the fun aspects of a photoshoot: They can pretend to be models and even ham it up a little for the camera. Just remind them of the importance of listening to you and the photographer and following instructions.
Get Inspired
Think about what kind of images you want and talk to your photographer about your options. Would you prefer a studio session or one outside at a favorite park or spot in your town? Maybe you want an in-home session where the photographer can capture your family in their natural environment. Whatever you choose, be sure to speak with your photographer beforehand about what you’re hoping to achieve, as well as any special requirements you or your family may need.
Choose What to Wear
While kids definitely look adorable in their dressiest outfits, you’re better off choosing something they’re comfortable in. That goes for your whole family, including you. Everyone will feel more like themselves in their favorite outfits. Just be sure everyone coordinates well and avoid bright colors or patterns that can be distracting. Some photographers will offer styling services. Our studio works with Style & Select, which is an awesome styling service entirely online and you can even purchase your outfits directly from the site.
The Day of Your Session
Pack Your Bag
If you have kids, you’re definitely familiar with how much stuff you need to bring along with you when you go places, and a family photo session is no different. Here are some items we recommend you pack for your photoshoot:
- An old blanket to sit on—perfect for cozy outside images
- Backup outfits—You never know when someone will get a little messy!
- Lint roller—This is a must if you’re including pets in the session
- Favorite toys—A great way to keep little ones happy
- Snacks and water—Nothing boosts a kid’s mood quite like a favorite snack! Just go for something that isn’t too messy
- Tissues—As a mom, you probably always have these on hand, but you’ll need them to wipe messy noses
- Maybe a little bribe to get your children smile for the camera; smarties work great since they won’t leave any dyes and are easily chewed and small enough to suffice in between shots!
Remove Any Unnecessary Items
Before your photographer starts snapping pictures, be sure to take any keys, phones, or wallets out of pockets and remove any hair ties or Fitbits from your wrists. All these items can be tucked away into your bag so you know exactly where they are and don’t have to stress about searching for your keys later.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Instead of rushing out the door 15 minutes later than expected, get everyone ready early and give yourself at least 30 minutes to get to your session location. You may even want to take a look at traffic reports and give yourself even more time if necessary. If you’re in a rush, you’ll feel stressed and anxious, and that’s no way to start a family photoshoot! Be sure to give yourself plenty of breathing room so you can arrive comfortably early to your session.
Stay Calm
I know, it’s easier said than done. But if you’re stressed out, your kids will sense it, and suddenly everyone is having a not-fun time. Besides, genuine smiles look so much better than forced ones, and you want your family photos to capture your authentic joy and personality!
Be sure to check out our family page to book your family session at Rachel Gregory Photography! To contact us with any other questions or inquires click here or email rachel@rachelgregoryphoto.com.
