Are you ready to have your first family portrait session? Either you’ve been planning this for your entire life, or your partner suggested the idea and you agreed to make them happy. Whatever the reason, you are now saddled with the task of planning this portrait session. How are you going to make it adorable and not cheesy?
Here are some things to keep in mind before the session. With these tips, you’re setting yourself up for a memorable shoot that you’ll love to share with family and friends.
1) Utilize Accessories and Props
What is cuter than subtly matching outfits for your family photos? Nothing. You don’t want to go over the top, but choosing elements for everyone’s clothes and accessories to follow a theme gives the photos a consistent pattern. If you have older children, you could get a cute Samsung case at getcasely.com for your daughter to hold. Then you could match the phone case pattern to your son’s sweater. You could wear shoes that go with the theme, and your hubby could rock a killer bowtie. Subtle matching gives everyone in the photo a unity that binds the family together. Go with red plaid for the Christmas card!
Props make the entire photo experience more enjoyable for everyone. You could all hold balloons for some of the photos. Something simple but effective that makes memorable pictures and memories.
2) Feed Everyone Before the Shoot
You know how kids are. They become little monsters if they don’t have enough food. The day of the photoshoot can be stressful if they decide that they are hungry right before the shoot.
Set a reminder for yourself. Whether the note is on your phone, on a smartwatch, or the fridge, make sure that you’ll see it in the morning. Feed the kids cereal, oatmeal, or something quick that will keep them happy. Don’t forget about you and your partner either after all grumpy parents mean grumpy photo session.
3) Choose a Personal Location
Pick a destination that’s meaningful for your family. That place could be home, out in nature, or at church. If you’re doing the shoot out in public, plan for other people being around. You don’t want to interrupt a Sunday service with your family portrait session.
You can always call locations in advance if you’re worried about strangers in your family portraits. If you’re a part of your church community, it should be no problem to schedule a date that works for everyone. At the same time, public beaches or forests don’t have staff so, you never know if strangers will show up.
4) Keep the Kiddos Engaged
Kids have a notorious habit of moving all the time. You don’t want them to get bored and run away mid-photo shoot. It’s essential to bring toys or play games to keep your kiddos engaged during the photo shoot. You don’t need to buy expensive things or use complicated tricks to hold their attention. Some simple things that work include I Spy or Freeze for the Camera.
If you have younger kids, you need to plan breaks into the session. Give them time to snack or stretch their legs between photo bursts, so they don’t throw a tantrum.
5) Don’t Be Afraid to Share Your Ideas
It’s the photographer’s job to make the photo work, but don’t be afraid to give your own ideas for the session. The perfect family portrait photographer varies depending on your family, so there is no answer for everyone. However, they should be willing to work with your vision.
Shop around and make sure you get to know the professional before you hire them. Look at their previous work to see if it matches your style.
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