It’s no secret that planning a photo shoot for your family can be a challenge. Do not worry. I am here to help. In my years of experience photographing families I have developed some simple tips that will ensure a successful and fun family photo shoot in Sydney.
1. Make Sure The Children Are Fed And Slept.
Okay. This may seem obvious, but it is very important for younger children. You should always allow enough time for your child to nap and to be fed. It is dangerous to skip nap time. We know that tired and/or hungry children are grumpy and less likely to smile for family pictures.
Bring a snack and some water in case your child becomes hungry or thirsty during your lesson or needs to take a break.
2. Plan Your Clothing In Advance
Clothing can make a big difference in how you feel about your family pictures. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to pick out clothing, or to have your children try on shoes or outfits, only to find that your daughter’s dress doesn’t fit or your son’s shoe size is too small. It is important that your kids feel comfortable and like the clothes you choose. You should involve your child as much as you can in the selection process. Don’t force your daughter to wear a dress if she doesn’t like it.
I will give you plenty of advice when booking a session. This includes choosing clothes that photograph well and show off your personality. I will also share with you my Wardrobe Inspire Guide, which contains lots of do’s & don’ts. You can also browse my blog to get tips on what you should wear.
What to wear for Spring Family Photos
What colors to wear for fall family photos
What colors to wear for summer family photos
What not to wear for family photos
It is important that moms wear an outfit in which they feel beautiful and comfortable, because when you are happy, you will look your best.
Do you need some inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board here.
Bring a spare outfit for your baby or toddler just in case. If your son gets a little dirty, it’s a good thing you have a spare pair of pants.
3. What To Tell The Children?
Prepare your children for the session by talking to them in advance. Tell your younger children that you will be meeting a friend in the park to take their pictures. Assure the kids that they’ll have a good time and play games.
Before your session, let your photographer know if your child is particularly shy or nervous around strangers. You can help your child by showing her some photos of my family and me so that she knows who your photographer is before our session.
4. Bring An Activity That You Enjoy Doing As A Family
Consider the activities your family does together. Bring along a small book or toy that your toddler loves to carry around. It will help you to relax and not think about the camera. I can also capture images that tell a story of your family. Children are more engaged by activities, which bring out genuine smiles.
Playing catch, riding on a piggyback, racing, hiking and dancing are all great activities for older children. They allow them to be themselves and have fun. When kids are doing their favorite things, I can take beautiful photos.
5. Let Your Kids Be Themselves
Each child is unique. Some children are slow to warm up while others are full of energy. It doesn’t matter how your child arrives! I promise. Do your best to let go of all worries that they will misbehave or act wild and just go with it.
When parents let me direct their children and follow my directions, I find that sessions run better. Parents who focus on their interaction with their children, instead of telling them what to or not to do, will find that kids are more relaxed, happier, and produce images parents will love.
Let your child wander around and pick up pretty leaves from the ground. If your child just wants to snuggle in your arms that’s fine too. I’ll take pictures of her cuddling with you.
6. Expect The Unexpected
It may be difficult to accept this tip. It’s important, but I don’t think you should ignore it. I get it. You want to make everything perfect. I do too! We can’t always control what will happen, no matter how well we plan. Even when well fed and rested, kids and babies can have bad days. Perhaps little Jack doesn’t want to smile or look at the camera. Some parents become overly anxious when this happens and begin to command their children to “smile or else ….””. You can trust me. It will never lead to a smile of happiness.
You can take a deep breathe and trust that I will capture and see the beauty of your family moments.
7. Focus On Your Why
Why did you schedule your family photo shoot? You wanted to take family photos for your holiday cards. It’s possible that this was your primary reason for choosing me to photograph your family, but I hope it wasn’t. You don’t want stiff smiles, perfect Pinterest poses or photos that don’t reflect your family. You want images that show the love, connection, and essence of your family. Images that evoke emotion and bring back memories of the way life was at that time are what you want. You want to take photos that become family heirlooms. Remember that when Johnny starts crying and don’t stress. Let your baby press his head into your chest. Not only the joyful moments, but also those more tender ones are important to capture. I will capture your emotions as your photographer. Whether you and your family are laughing or your husband is comforting your baby, we’ll get it all. These moments tell the story of your family.
8. Smile At Spouse, Look At Kids
Yes. Look at them. Inhale them like you did the first time you held your baby. Kiss them and hug them. Even if they aren’t cooperating, think about how much you care for them. Even if they don’t cooperate, smile.
Parents who are looking at their children will smile the most beautiful, natural and relaxed smile. These images are the ones I treasure most as a mother and I hope that you do too, because they show your family’s love and connection.
Don’t forget that not everyone needs to look at the camera simultaneously in every shot. If you hired me to do a lifestyle session with your family, you already know that this isn’t the purpose of your session. It is important to have a conversation with your family.
9. Relax And Have Fun
Your family is dressed and ready for the session. Congratulations! Congratulations! It’s now time to relax and have some fun with your family. Let me handle all the work. Hey, I’m glad you hired me.
I will handle the entire directing, and if you toddler needs to run around for a while, that’s no problem. I’ll take a few pictures of you and your partner. When I let kids explore while I take pictures of other family members, they often want to join in.
We will play games, and I will guide you to genuine interactions with your loved ones. You will cuddle, hold hands with your child, laugh, play and give them hugs and kisses. I will show you how beautiful your children and family are, just like you!
