Family Session Tips and Tricks from Your Photographer

I have a deep love for family sessions. I think there is something so special about being able to capture your family as they are so you can look back 20 years from now and see where you were as a family! My style of family photography is very much documentary. So while I try to get a few photos of you all smiling at the camera I focus a lot of just capturing moments. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your shoot!

Keep doing what you are doing!

I will give direction when needed, if I want you all to look at me or change location or change up the moment. But until then keep doing what you are doing :) If you are playing with your kids, just keep playing! I find that sometimes when we feel nervous we end a moment too soon before I got the shot or just enough shots. I promise you, when I feel like we are set I will move us on to the next thing!

My sessions are very much child led

That means if you child doesn’t want to hold hands and wants to pick up stick, thats okay. If they want to be held for awhile, then hold them. If they are feeling shy and don’t want to smile right away, lets give them time to warm up. I have found when we let kids be kids, they are more likely to open up!

Its okay if your child cries

Big feelings happen. I get them, you get them. And your toddler 100% gets them. If they cry most of the session, you will be in good company. It doesn’t bother me and I promise I will still get beautiful images!

Don’t force smiles

I don’t know about you, but being told to smile at a camera sometimes makes me want to do the exact opposite? Reminding your child to do that the whole session will most likely end in them not smiling or faking it. I have been doing this a long time and know we have to be patient especially with smaller children and have to choose the right moment to get a group shot of everyone looking at the camera.

Bring toys and snacks

Letting your child bring their favorite toy to the session or having snacks throughout honestly makes the session run so much smoother! They won’t be in every shot but if they need to be in some, that’s okay :) Honestly having photos of my son with his favorite toys or snacks mean so much to me. I know that when I see those photos even a year later I will smile remembering that time he was obsessed with a spoon.

Let kids get dirty

I know you just spent a lot of time choosing outfits for everyone but it doesn’t bother me one bit if your child wants to roll around on the ground and gets dirty. Its a part of being a kid! And again, I just think it adds to the photos. Sometimes I can do a little retouching if it is absolutely necessary but even have a face full of boogers can be a fun memory ;)

What to wear

Unless we are doing a spoof shoot I recommend not wearing the same tops and bottoms across the whole family. Wear complimentary colors but not the same exact color. Mix in some patterns but not too many because it can be distracting. And if letting your kid choose their own outfits or let them wear something that makes them feel confident but not be aesthetically pleasing, I say comfortably first!

Session location

Not sure where to do your session? Depending on the type of backdrop you are thinking, I am happy to send over a list of ideas! I am also totally on board to go to a playground, ice cream shop, your yard, etc anywhere your kids feel safe and happy! I have gotten some really fun photos at a Dairy Queen and even kdis runnig around the pumpkin patch in their backyard.

Activities

Sometimes having an activity your kids can do during the session helps them have fun and stay regulated while I get the opportunity to capture some really special family moments. I will of course get some beautiful portraits like I mentioned above of you all looking at the camera. But if we need to spend most of the session chasing bubbles with your kids, then I am all for it!! I did this last summer and the photos we got were incredible. I love working with these boys but they aren’t always interested in having their photo taken. Playing with the bubbles allowed them to have fun while I got these gorgeous images of them in their backyard. Happy to brainstorm ideas!!