A few weeks ago we talked about getting ready for your newborn session and today we’ll go into some detail about preparing for your family session.  My goal is to make any portrait session completely stress free for my clients! I want you to relax and maybe even HAVE FUN (ok dads??!?) while we hang out together!  Approaching the subject of family portraits with your children should be just that – tell them a friend is coming over to hang out and take some pictures.  If you don’t make it a big deal – they won’t make it a big deal.  And I promise you it will be fabulous!  I LOVE family sessions – the togetherness, the snuggling on blankets, the laughter from kids and their parents – nothing warms my heart more… its legitimately the reason I got into photography – to document the lives of my children and my family.  I love being able to share that with others.

There are many pieces that go into planning a family session… location, timing, outfits, and preparing your family.. we’ll talk about all this in the weeks leading up to your session – I don’t want you to stress… at all! I will take care of it! 🙂 . Location wise there are so many options… I love in home family sessions – especially in the winter – what better way to be a family than snuggled up on mom and dads bed reading books or telling stories to each other.  Looking to go outside??  The possibilities are endless… I have my favorite locations in the area (blog post about these spots coming soon!!!) but I’m always open to new locations.  There’s also the option of a studio shoot – Using a studio with couches, pillows, blankets and maybe even a cup of tea can still give the look and feel of a comfy at home family session.

Your most important job in preparing for your family session is choosing clothing and preparing your family – especially children.  I tell people to try not to go crazy figuring out what to wear!  Stick with mostly neutrals and a couple pops of color or patterns – but ultimately BE COMFORTABLE!!!  If you feel good – you will look good in the images.  Stay away from writing and graphics on shirts, neon colors and conflicting patterns, but other than that… just enjoy!  If you are feeling like you need to be more coordinated than just picking a few colors (which is TOTALLY what I do for my own family portraits), I would love to help guide you or can pass along information for a stylist to help!

Preparing your kids: Make sure kiddos are rested and well fed!  You can even bring snacks along if you think the kids may need it – I try to keep them hidden (otherwise kids will want to eat the entire session) and only bring them out when needed – though sometimes kids snacking can be pretty darn cute to look back on!!  Sometimes timing can be difficult for children – especially in the summer when the best time for photos is about an hour before sunset – we will discuss the best time that works for your kids and for the light to ensure that you get everything you want out of your session.  If your children are young and hesitant around new people – don’t worry.. I’ll take some time at the beginning of the session to get to know them – talk about some of their favorite things and goof around before even taking out my camera.

Get Dad into it!!! Dads – I know sometimes you are struggling through the session – but suck it up for your wives.. and your kids.. because they want you in the images!  And they want you to look happy!  When dads are reminded of the importance of capturing their family at this time – the memories being preserved through artwork – they can usually be convinced for a bit.  A photo album created from your family session that your kids will be able to bring along with them for the rest of their lives, and maybe even pass on to their children – family photography is important and it’s amazing! Kids are also often very in tune with their dads – and if they think dad is having fun they may be even more inclined to participate and relax. And dads – if you ever question what you should be doing or looking at – look lovingly at your gorgeous wife, whisper something in her ear to make her smile, or simply tell her what you love most about her… its guaranteed to make everyone relax a little 🙂

If your family loves doing an activity – incorporate it into your session! If your family isn’t complete without your puppy – bring the dog! We can always do some shots with puppy and some without.  If your family loves to play kickball or hopscotch.. lets plan to do it!  Not only will it get everyone in the family to relax and smile genuinely – but its FUN!  There is nothing I want more than for you to feel like you had fun at your session.. its always my goal!  We can discuss all this in our pre-session consult.

At this point you already know that my philosophy is rooted in natural, connected images… so don’t tell kids to look at the camera… if they look on their own accord then you know I’ll be sure to snap that image.. but telling them what to do only makes them want to do the opposite even more.. I’m a mom of a preschooler and a toddler… I KNOW this is true!  The most beautiful images are those where I can feel the connection between families – and this doesn’t require a single person to actually be looking at the camera.  Leave the images up to me – and you enjoy the time spent with your little ones creating memories and freezing moments to cherish every time you walk past the gorgeous wall art above the couch in your living room 🙂

So ultimately with all these words I just want to tell you… DON’T STRESS!!! I promise our session will be fun – and the more you believe that, the more the kids will too.  Family portraits are important – its the story of your family – and I want to capture that in its fullness.. in its most natural state… just as you are.

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