Five tips for successful family photos
Pictures should be fun, easy and something for your whole family to look forward to…
But sometimes that’s easier said than done, and as a mom of two young kids I know that preparing for family photos can often feel stressful. Between grumpy spouses, kids who want to dress themselves, naps to work around, it can feel impossible to have the session of your dreams. That’s why I’ve created this guide to set you up for success. Because the photos are so worth it; it’s your opportunity to immortalize and celebrate the ordinary days of parenthood before they become history.
Do your research
There are so many talented photographers around offering different styles and packages. Take some time to think about what sort of session you are after.
Do you want to walk into a studio and have your entire family dressed from a client closet? Do you want a photographer to come to your home and capture you just as you are? Or do you want to shoot in a picturesque park? Do you want prints or just digitals? Do you want a high-level of customer service and someone to walk you through each step of the way? Do you want to be truly seen during a highly personal, unique family photo session, or grab a few snaps for your holiday cards? There is no right or wrong answer, but take the time to find a photographer who offers what you are after.
2. Make a plan that works for you
While it’s true that the hour around sunset is the prettiest for photos, it might not always be feasible for your family. Here are some things to consider when planning your time and location:
When are your kids happiest?
Where are they happiest?
When is bedtime/naptime/witching hour (you know what I’m talking about)?
What are their favorite activities?
What do you want to capture from this season of life?
If you love the look of golden hour but your kids go to bed at 7pm, you will want to plan your session for spring or fall when sunset is earlier in the day. If your kids love to play in the backyard sprinkler or splash in the creek, you’re looking at a summer session. If everyone’s happiest at home, you have a lot of flexibility with regard to time of day and time of year. Planning a session around when/where your kids are happiest will make the experience so much more enjoyable. I offer sessions year round and have locations that are suitable for different times of day, and I LOVE coming to your home any time for a session.
3. Prepare your kids
This will depend on the age of your kids and whether they are dealing with issues like social anxiety or low self-image. If that is the case we will work together to figure out a plan to make them as comfortable as possible. But generally speaking I’d recommend NOT letting your kids know how important this is to you or giving lengthy speeches about following orders, etc. Tell them a friend is coming over to play and she’s bringing her camera. Let them know we’re going to have FUN and will be spending some time playing together as a family. Let them participate in wardrobe selection or coming up with activities to do together during the session.
4. Prepare your spouse
Typically one parent is driving the decision to book family portraits while the other is along for the ride, or possibly even resistant. Please take time to prepare your partner for what they are getting into. For a session with HSP, that means a lot of loving on and playing with your family for an hour that honestly flies by. Reassure them they won’t have to pose and say cheese (well, maybe once, but that’s all, and I’ll do it so quickly they won’t even notice). The most frequent comment I get from dads after a session is “that was actually kind of fun” and second most frequent is “that wasn’t so bad.”
5. On the day of: let go of expectations and go with the flow
The fastest way to send a family session downhill is to discipline your kids if they are not cooperating. Here’s the thing: the whole point of this is to capture a little snapshot of their personalities as they are right now. Let them lead the way. If I make a suggestion for an activity or attempt to guide you into a pose and they are resistant, I will happily move along to something else, and so should you. Let’s solidify this event as a fun memory of playing with their family, getting undivided attention from their busy parents, and having a blast with their new friend and they’ll be happy to do it year after year.
Are you interested in working with me?
At Heart Sung Photography, I offer a highly personalized and customizable approach to family photography. I want to help you become your family’s historian, and create photos that capture the spirit of your family and each person in it. It’s also important to me that your sessions be fun, and to me that means letting children take the lead and having a low-pressure approach. Let’s capture this season of your life just as it is, so you can look back and see photos that are an honest representation of your favorite people just as they, right now. There is so much beauty in your ordinary.
I’ve created a streamlined approach to help you go from planning your session to photos at your door in three easy steps.
Schedule a quick call to see if we’d be a good fit and learn more about the process.