Family Photoshoot family of 4 sitting on rock laughing together

The Family Photoshoot.

Maybe it excites you, maybe it’s the thing you look forward to the most out of your year, or maybe you are one that dreads every single moment of it. Don’t start hyperventilating yet! Here are some tips on how you can make that family photoshoot more enjoyable and a little less stressful!

Find a professional photographer that is in tune to your needs! Most professionals will ask you where you’d like to go, or ask more in depth questions about your family while planning out your sessions. For example, ages of kids, their likes/dislikes, if they are shy, etc. If everyone is on the same page, the greater chance of having a good outcome!
Don’t forget to prep! Kids are just little people, and they like to understand or get a heads up what’s going on just as much as the next person. Explain to them that they will be meeting someone new that will be taking their photo. Tell them the photographers name. Explain to them they will be sitting still at times and other times they will be up moving around. Make it a fun thing, not a dreaded thing!
Eat before your family photoshoot! Hungry kids are usually cranky kids. To be honest with you, I’m cranky when I’m hungry too! If possible, eat at least a small meal prior to the session. Or if unable, bring some snacks! I try to have some snacks available in my bag for those snack emergencies, because you never know when someone is going get a little hangry!
If your sick or your child is sick…Reschedule. It’s hard to take good photos when you are feeling under the weather. Most photographers would appreciate this anyway and would be more than happy to reschedule!
LET IT GO. Get rid of any expectations you have when it comes to the “perfect” photo. The most perfect photo is one with your family together. Trust that your photographer will get photographs that you will love. Come to the session with a blank slate and trust the photographer to lead and guide you, even if that means letting go of your picture in your head.
Lastly, HAVE FUN! Let your kids be kids. This somewhat goes with number five, but letting your kids be who they are will not only give off a more relaxed vibe, I bet you’ll get a lot more real smiles and giggles, which in turn will turn into beautiful photos that I’m sure you’ll love for some time to come. Your kids will talk about how much fun it was and will actually look forward to future photo sessions.

I hope these little tips will help you for any family photoshoot in the future! If you are in the Bucyrus, Mansfield, Marion, area, I’d love to see your smiling faces in front of my camera! Check out more info HERE!

Find other blogs I’ve written here!