With the launch of my 2023 Christmas minis, I thought that now would be the perfect time to make a post with some of my tips and tricks for having family photos taken. While I specialize in seniors and weddings, I will take on the occasional family session. Getting pictures taken can be SO stressful! But adding a husband and some kids into the mix can make it seem that much more daunting. Here’s the thing though..it doesn’t have to be stressful! So without further ado, here are a few of my tips and tricks for nailing your next family session.
Time Your Meals Accordingly
I don’t care if you have a 3 month old baby or a 30 year old husband, making time to eat before your session is so important. I for one, get irrationally angry when I’m hungry. And I know that kids get the same way. Make sure that everyone has had a snack before photos (I just recommend not choosing something messy). P.S – I am not above bribing..if you have to bring some fruit snacks to get your kiddos to behave, there is no shame.
Pick Outfits A Week Before Your Session
One thing that so many people struggle with is planning outfits, which usually leads to procrastination. Trust me, you don’t want to roam the aisles of Walmart trying to find an outfit 24 hours before your session. Pick a color palette and build off of that! Make sure that what you choose is something that you are confident in. If you are a 2023 Christmas Mini client of mine, I have created an outfit guide that will be sent right to your email.
Know Who You’re Booking With
One common mistake that I see is when people don’t do research on their photographer! Oftentimes, people will see that someone takes pictures and just book with them. Which is great for someone who just wants photos of their family. But if you know that you have a specific vision in mind, make sure that the photographer that you’re booking with can achieve that vision. If you’re wanting props, look at their portfolio to see if they use props. If you’re wanting a carefree feel, look for a photographer who specializes in candid photography. This will ultimately lead to a much more satisfying result!
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
This one is much easier said than done. But truly, you are paying good money for this experience, try to enjoy it! If your son starts picking up rocks or your daughter refuses to take pictures without her doll, embrace it! We can absolutely get the ‘fine art’ style photos for your wall, but I want to capture the little quirks in your family. Your kids will only be this young once and you’ll want to remember everything about this season. I will do my absolute best to freeze these moments for you.
Communicate With Your Photographer
Please, please, please communicate with your photographer! A big part of my job is to talk to you about your session. If you have something that you’re self conscious about, please let me know. I know it can be intimidating, but letting me know ahead of time will make a world of difference. We all have things that we don’t love about ourselves and I completely understand that. I’ve done this for years, I know how to help pose in order to make you feel confident! I will take care of you every step of the way, just tell me how I can help!
I hope that this blog post was helpful. My goal is to always OVER prepare my clients for their session. I want you to walk into your session feeling confident and comfortable. As always, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you!
– Jolie
P.S – If you’re interested in booking a Christmas mini..here is the link!
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