Capturing The Chaos: Tips On How to Have A Great Family Photo Session

Are you feeling apprehensive about your upcoming family photo session? You are not alone! Even the most experienced family photographer can tell you that having your kids "misbehave" during a lifestyle family session is a common fear. But don't worry, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to help ensure that your family session will go off without a hitch. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to overcome the fear of your kids "misbehaving" during your family photo session.

First things first, I want you to take all expectations for that "perfect family photo session" in your head and throw it out the window. Yes, we will get the "hang on the wall" shot, but it is not my #1 priority. My idea of a successful session is capturing you just as you are; with no facades.

All in all, its about taking in the moment and letting your kids be kids.

Talk to your kids about expectations

In my opinion, a big reason kiddos don't enjoy family photo day is that they weren't well-prepared for what was going to happen. Here are some tips to help that should help you prepares your kiddos for photos:

1. Make it sound like a fun adventure. Let them know you're going to have a family day, dress up a little, and let them know that a friend is going to take your photos.

2. Don't bribe them to be good. That will only set them up to think it's not a fun thing and they aren't going to like it.

3. Please do not "prep" them on how to smile! Our goal is for them to be themselves and get those authentic smiles. "Say cheese" will never come out of my mouth unless they are not falling for all my other crazy antics.

4. Naps & Snacks! Need I say more? A tired/hangry toddler does not equal a good time; can I get an amen! 😂 . Have them nap as close as possible to leaving the house, or if they are non-nappers, keep your day very chill & relaxed so they're not exhausted by the time your session comes around. Don't forget to pack non-messy snacks that they LOVE! Goldfish, fruit snacks, mini marshmallows, cheerios or puffs.

Choose a photographer you trust

As a nanny of almost 15 years, and photographer of 8 years, I can confidently say i'm kind of a kid whisperer (insert shoulder brush here. 😂). I have a Mary Poppins bag of tricks for all personalities; moody teens, busy toddlers who love the word "no", and serious babies who never smile.

Don't fret, we will definitely get the "grandparent shot". You know the one I'm talking about! Everyone looking and smiling; something the grandparents can hang on the wall.

Take a deep breath, trust me to do what I do best and you will walk away saying “wow. that was so much fun”.

Relax and enjoy the moment

The more you relax and roll with the punches, the better your session will be. I promise. I know that it feels scary to let go and trust me, but I can almost guarantee that every image on my IG feed was a genuine personality shining through.

The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your kiddos will be.

We are not in a rush!

When you book a full session with me, you will receive up to 1 hour of shooting time. We won't necessarily need to use all that time, but it is there for a reason. This gives us time to play, explore, shoot, and of course the snack breaks. We won't rush the session with poses and forcing kids to stand still; I want this to be fun and relaxed.

That’s it! I hope these tips helped ease some of those worries a little bit and helped to create that magical family session you’ve been dreaming of. If you still need to get your session on that calendar, I would love to connect with you and start planning a fun, relaxed session to capture your beautiful family.

What to Wear to Your Outdoor Family Session

The absolute #1 question I get after booking a session: but what will I wear?! (In the most Grinch voice ever, of course!)

So here are just a few tips that will help you style yourself and your family in the best way possible so we can have the best session! The absolute most important thing is that you (and kids!) are comfortable and feel totally confident in what you are wearing.

Tip #1: Avoid being overly matchy

Remember the family photos from 30 years ago where everyone is wearing a white shirt and khaki pants? Ya, yikes! Coordination is where it’s at now.

Form a color palette: choose a few colors you love to wear and coordinate your outfits around those colors. My personal favorites are black, grey/tan, and maybe a pop of forest green thrown in.

A mix of prints/solids can also be a great addition!

story-time: I once had a client put their baby in neon green and every photo ended up with the baby and parents having a green color cast on their face and arms (and before you ask, no I cannot get rid of it in photoshop!).

Tip #2: Focus on timeless, not trendy!

Super trendy items are awesome one day, and not so awesome the next. You want to look back on your photos and love them instead of seeing your outfit and cringing (believe me, I’ve been there many a time). Sticking to timeless pieces that never go out of style will make you love your photos every time you look at them years from now.

Quick tip: avoid anything sleeveless! They are a hard look to pull off for photos, no matter how fit you are. Cap or a ruffle sleeve are great options if you must have something short for a warmer day.

Tip #3: Momma, start with you!

For the ladies, let’s be honest! We are usually the most critical of ourselves & tend to over think our outfits. So why not start with you?! Pick something you feel amazing in; whether that is a dress in your closet you haven’t worn in a while or even better, go out and treat yourself! If you don’t feel amazing, that will reflect in the photos. Your comfort needs to be the top priority.

Quick tip: get an outside opinion! Let a friend help you choose if you can’t decide. I always text my bestie when I’m being indecisive!

Then coordinate your kiddos to you. Make sure they are comfy of course, but still up to your standards of family photos.

Next, is Dad! They tend to be the easiest; I mean come on: shirt, pants, shoes, maybe a jacket or vest and done.

Tip #4: Bring those layers!

Layers are a great way to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to your session. Have fun with it! Think scarves, hats, jackets, vests. These are all great ways to add your personality! Just remember to choose pieces that you’d want to be photographed in, I mean that’s the point right?! The best part, they can always be added and subtracted throughout the session as well; everyone needs a little variety in their life!

** These are just some tips on what I have learned looks best when being photographed. I have also created Pinterest boards to help you visualize and get inspired for what colors go best together and how to coordinate each person. You can find that right here: Pinterest Inspiration