Before Your Session: Family
Welcome!
Hey there! I am SO excited to spend time with you and your family at your upcoming shoot! Read on for tips and tricks to make sure that your shoot is stress-free (even FUN! What?!) and that your shots turn out awesome.
It's all in the timing (seriously!)
Scheduling Your Shoot Time
As a natural light photographer, I love to shoot outdoors (when available) and use the available light to get great shots. The best times for this are typically early morning or the two hours before sunset (we call those the "golden" hours).
I will most often suggest one of these times, but if that doesn't work for your family (say, you have littles that will be way cranky if they stay up late) we will work out another time for your shoot (and depending on the time of day, maybe a different location with some shade!). Make sure to mention nap and bed times (as much as you might be able to predict them), and we will work a schedule out that works best for everyone in your family.
Leave Enough Time to Get Ready
When you are rushed getting ready, or feel rushed getting to your shoot location, it shows in your photos (and who wants that?). I recommend planning a little extra time to get ready than what you would think your typical getting ready time takes (for example: If it usually takes you 30 minutes, plan 45+).
Hair & Makeup Scheduling
If it works for your family, I recommend having adults get hair/makeup professionally done (you'll look killer, be more relaxed and that confidence rubs off on the rest of your family!). If you need a stylist referral, let me know during our chat. I recommend scheduling these appointments (as well as any other hair or beauty appointments needed before your shoot) at the time you schedule your shoot, to avoid scrambling last minute. Try to avoid scheduling haircuts for the same day, in case you run out of time or need additional touch-ups to make it perfect before your shoot!
Not in the budget to get hair/makeup done? No worries! Many clients do their own makeup/hair (or have a talented friend lend a hand!), and look awesome at their shoots. Do what makes you most comfortable, and what works best for your family's budget.
Make sure that everyone arrives fed and ready to go!
I meet a lot of families who make a fun evening out of their shoot: pictures, then family hang-out time or dinner at a local restaurant (fun!). If this is your plan, make sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot (parents included!). Feel free to bring snacks for the kiddos with you, just make sure they aren't super messy or time-consuming snacks to eat (my favorites: string cheese, raisins, crackers, grapes!).
GETTING READY: the outfits
Investing some pre-planning in your outfits can make a HUGE difference in your shoot! Have your clothing chosen well in advance, and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? Are they are soft and elegant? Chose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Pair those neutral colors mentioned above with a couple of fun accent colors (yellow, coral, green...the possibilities are endless!). Don't be afraid to add accessories likes hats, sweet little headbands or bows, bow-ties...the possibilities are endless!
Still feeling stuck? I love to help you plan outfits! Feel welcome to text me pics at 503-434-0140, I’m happy to help you out!
To help you out, I've put together a few inspiration pieces on our Family Photo Shoot Pinterest Inspiration board! I'll also follow up with you during our phone call to answer any styling questions you may have.
Still have questions? Drop me a note!
What to expect
Most importantly: Get ready to have some fun!
Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. Give your spouse a sweet kiss on the cheek, or tell them how much you love them and appreciate them for being there for your family. Have fun. Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Doing these things will allow me to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Leave the stiff “cheese” faces for Aunt Marge at the next family reunion. Show me who you really are, so that I have the opportunity to capture your love through my lens.
This won't be your typical studio experience of posing and everyone looking at the camera at the same time.
We will do some shots that feature everyone looking at me (I love to see all those sweet faces!), but there will also be plenty of candid shots where you are playing and interacting with each other. I will do my best to give you prompts that help bring your true personalities to life.
Pro tip: Sometimes it can be hard not to try and "coach" your kiddos during the shoot ("Smile! Look at Daddy! Show your teeth! Look this way!"). Often, I find that having all the adults yell cues to the kiddos has the opposite effect: Stressed faces, unnatural/forced smiles, and worst case scenario: tears. I will play and coax your kiddo using some of my tried and true tricks to get their true personalities to come out (promise: I'm super patient AND a parent, so nothing your kid does will stress me out!). And if that doesn't work? I'll use you as backup (get ready to play and twirl with your kiddos!). So leave the coaching to me, and you'll enjoy your shoot a lot more!