It’s no secret that preparing for Family Portraits can be a stressful event. Scrambling to get everyone dressed, fed, and cleaned up can get really overwhelming and that lingering anxiety of, “Will the kids get along long enough to do this?”, “Will I look good?”, “What if it’s not worth it?”, “What should I wear?” is no stranger.
I have great news. Not all photo sessions need to be this way! In fact, they can be a great day filled with fun and memories. Every mom’s dream, right?!
By implementing these 5 TIPS not only will the session itself provide you with real, unscripted images that you can look back on and cherish throughout your lives, but they’ll make room for your family to relax, play, and have a brilliant day together.
I’m so excited to share these 5 TIPS to create a STRESS FREE family portrait experience with you!
TIP #1: GET EVERYONE EXCITED
When you experience stress while trying to plan for family pictures, the kiddos pick up on that stress. Your kids deserve to have a fun, playful experience just as much as you do. So as much as their stress may add some stress to your experience, remember their feelings are valid along with yours. In order to ease or prevent this stress, it’s important to get them involved in the entire experience.
When you first tell them about the photoshoot, I recommend doing so in a positive way. Let them know it’s going to be a fun and exciting day for them. To do this you could actually make a day of it and book in a fun activity after the photoshoot or take them for a treat to thank them. Ice Cream or donuts anyone?
It is also a good idea to tell them that a friend of yours is going to be taking some photos, it breaks the barrier of ‘the photographer’ being a stranger and also takes away any element of surprise.
Another person to remember is your spouse. This is not always the case, but at times your better half may not entirely be on board with the whole family portrait process either. Remember, their feelings are valid. They may not love being in front of the camera. Can I tell you a secret? I don’t either! By letting him or her know why the photo shoot is important to you, how valuable it is to preserve these memories, and how fun it could be to have a fun family day out, your partner is more likely to get on board. I also highly recommend asking their input and let them be involved in the process. This may get them excited about the day too. Finally, let them know you appreciate their involvement.
TIP #2: PLAN
Having a plan before the day of the shoot always helps things to go more smoothly!
When creating a plan for your family portraits, the first and most important thing is to reflect on what you love most about your family. What moments do you cherish? Where do you have the most fun together? What is your favorite thing about each family member? I encourage you to discuss this with your photographer prior to you portrait session. This will give them a sense of what’s most important to you and what to look for throughout your time together.
Be intentional about the location. Do you have a favorite park you go to every week, is Target one of your favorite places to bond with your kids, do you love to hike in the bluffs? Consider where you feel the most in your element. It doesn’t make any sense to hate bugs and mud, and have your session by the marsh. I encourage you to select a location that your family is familiar with. When you choose a place they enjoy, where memories have already been made, it’s a lot easier for natural interactions to happen. It also leaves room to document the location itself since it’s a significant part of your story. That’s when the magic happens.
Dress accordingly. Our style of Family Photography is about storytelling. It’s about the beautiful, ordinary moments of life and the relationship you share with the ones you love. Think about how you would normally dress to visit your favorite places. For example, if you are going on what could potentially be a muddy woodland walk, I would suggest you choose rain boots, or hiking gear, over brand new shoes or a dress and heels. By dressing appropriately for your location, not only will it make your photos look and feel more authentic, it will also make everyone in the family a lot more comfortable and reduce stress. No one wants to worry about new shoes or clothes getting dirty when they are out to have fun.
Schedule appointments for 1 week before your scheduled session. Plan hair cuts, make up or nail appointment etc. in advance of the shoot so that you and your family can look and feel their best. Your vendors will thank you for planning ahead. :)
Get the kids (and your partner) involved in the planning. You can do this by letting them help pick the location for your photos, involve them in selecting color schemes, what they are going to wear, etc. If they are included in the process they are more likely to co-operate and have fun!
TIP #3: BE RESTED AND EAT
There’s no one in the world who shows their best selves when they’re hungry, especially not during a photoshoot. If this happens it can result in some really cranky ragamuffins.
Try to get a good nights rest before your photoshoot. Set a bed time for everyone, yourself included and try your best to stick to it.
Even if you have a family meal scheduled for after the shoot, please make sure everyone has been well fed before hand. Hungry tummies are never necessary. Feel free to bring mess-free snacks and water along too. Kids (and pets) usually enjoy a mid-photo session treat. I recommend having wipes on hand, just in case.
TIP #4: LEAVE LOTS OF TIME TO GET READY
The last thing anyone wants is to show up to their photoshoot location feeling rushed and disorganized.
Eat and brush your teeth before you put anyones outfits on. It’ll help prevent stains or spills on clothing.
Plan in extra time for baths/showers, grooming and putting on clothing. Giving yourself extra time for all of these tasks gives you time should something go wrong or for un-cooperation. This should mean that you will still have time left over and can leave for your shoot feeling relaxed and prepared.
To help with this process it is also a beneficial idea to try on your outfits a few days in advanced of your shoot. Meaning that there are no nasty surprises when you are getting ready on the day.
Aim to be on time or early for your photoshoot. This is beneficial for the kids and even the adults. Those few moments before jumping into the photoshoot gives everyone some time to be acquainted before the shoot begins.
TIP #5: BE YOURSELVES AND LET THEM BE LITTLE
I can’t stress this enough. Trying to micromanage the ‘Perfect’ Family Lifestyle image simply won’t work, especially when kiddos are involved. Forcing a kid to smile or perform an action they don’t want to will also result in a cranky ragamuffin. So leave the “cheeeeese” for the crackers, leave the frustration at home, and try to embrace your environment by being as free as possible.
If your session is outdoors and your kiddos want to splash in a puddle… roll with it. If Dad wants to go and make a tea during the shoot and the little one needs a snack – great! The more you just let your family ‘be’ and embrace the imperfect, the more genuine your end results will be.
Don't worry if you find yourself with a grumpy kiddo, assess the situation maybe they are hungry or thirsty… however sometimes by trying not to draw too much attention to your upset family member, can defuse the situation entirely. Remember - kiddos can feel your stress, so even if they’re upset and grumpy, be intentional about remaining calm, and they will likely follow that.
Don’t be afraid to show your affection for your spouse or your kids. Always be touching and interacting. Laugh, joke, hold hands, pick up your kids, play with your dog. Remember, the most important part of your session is to document this season of life. Have fun!
You don’t need to look at or even smile for the camera, by interacting with your family, the environment or even an activity you have chosen to participate in during your shoot will give you the most genuine and authentic captures.
Capturing relational, honest, unscripted moments starts by creating them. By preparing yourself for a stress free and fun family portrait experience, you’ll be ready to capture the beautiful, ordinary magic that already exists within your family.
