Preparing for your Family Photography Experience
Our photo session together is going to me more like a family fun day than an actual photoshoot. So there’s no need to worry about how you’re going to look, or how the kids are going to behave. We’re taking photos to celebrate your family and everything you mean to each other. That’s what’s most important. And yes, there are also things that will help the photos look great :) So as you get ready for our session, here’ some tips that will help you get the most out of our time together…
Before the Session
Think about ‘why’ you’re wanting family photos done at this time. Is it for a special occasion or simply to document this time in your lives? Knowing your ‘why’ will help us create a session to best capture it. Also think about what activities you’d like to do in your session. Sometimes the activity itself may be important to your family (like how you often spend summer nights roasting marshmallows around the firepit) or it might just be a way to help keep the kids engaged to encourage natural interaction (like exploring rock pools at the beach).
Start planning your outfits. Simple, comfortable clothes usually work best. Also think about where a photo piece might hang in your home and choose outfits to reflect your decor. For example, if your home has a light, beachy feel to it, then outfits with blues and naturals will complement the style of your home. (You’ll see another section in the Client Lounge devoted to ‘What to Wear’)
Let’s discuss how you would like to enjoy the new photos that we create. Would you like wall art, or an heirloom album. Knowing how the photos will be printed and displayed with help me create images that are best suited to a particular space or layout.
Snap a photo of any walls in your home that you would like photo art on and email them to me before your session, so I can design a piece to suit that particular space and be sure to compose the images to suit the design. (You’ll see another section in the Client Lounge that shows how to take wall snapshots.)
1-2 days before the session
In the days leading up to the shoot, don’t put too much emphasis on the photos with the kids. Just focus on the fun family day you’re about to have, and that you’ll meet a new friend who will be there to take a couple of photos. :)
If your session will start at your home, look for the rooms with the best light and give them a quick tidy and declutter.
Make sure you all get a good night’s sleep - especially the kids. Happy kids = happy parents! :)
Photo Day
Eat a nice healthy breakfast (unless we’re doing a fun pancake session, then wait for me! ) Well-fed kids are happy kids!
If your session is in the afternoon and your kids still nap during the day, then try and keep to their nap schedules. I usually make sure I plan sessions around naptimes where possible.
Try to keep the tone of the whole day positive and fun - both before the session and during.
Tell the kids that a new friend is meeting them to play!
Bring snacks and water along to the session. Sometimes a session might last over an hour if we’re having fun and a snack break is a great way to keep energies up. Why not make it a little picnic and we can photograph that too!
If you’ve planned your session to be at the beach or river, be sure to pack a towel and spare set of clothes. We all usually end up wet!
I know a lot of parents stress about the behaviour of their kids on photo day. I get it, but please don’t worry. I have 3 kids and they’ve all had meltdowns at totally inappropriate times (really, is any time appropriate?) The best thing is for kids to know that there’s going to be no expectations of them. They don’t need to perform, they don’t need to look perfect, they don’t need to look at the camera and say “cheese”. They just need to be themselves and have fun. And if it looks like they’re not interested in having their photos taken, just leave them to me. I have my little tricks to capture them and they don’t even realise it ;)
Depending on the session, and how everyone’s feeling when we start, I’ll either suggest a fun activity to get everyone relaxed, or sometimes little ones feel more secure cuddled up to mum or dad, so that’s the perfect time to get a portrait in. I take my lead from the kids. My main aim is to capture your beautiful family being themselves and connecting with each other. There will be times when I’ll ask you to look at the camera, and then other times when I just wait for a beautiful moment to happen. Just relax and enjoy the time with your loved ones!
After the Session
We’ll book in a date and time for your design appointment where you will come and see the images and together we’ll design the art pieces we talked about before the session. Make sure all decision makers can attend so that everyone in the family has some input.
Make a list of any family members that would love some new photo gifts. If Christmas, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day is just around the corner, I’ll help you organise something special.
Sit back and relax while I work with the professionals at the photo lab to create your custom pieces.
Your finished pieces will be ready for pickup about 2-3 weeks after the design appointment, and all that’s left for you to do is enjoy your new portraits and family memories.