11 Secrets to Getting Family Photos You Really Love!
There’s always a sense of excitement when you’ve set a date with a photographer for your family photos. You’re about to capture magical memories that you’ll look back on for years to come … or so you hope.
So how do you make sure this year’s family photo session is going to produce magical images that you look back on fondly in 20, 30, or even 50 years? Picking the photographer whose style fits your aesthetic and whose personality seems like a great fit is important, of course! And naturally it helps to pick the right outfits to maximize both comfort and nail the look you’re going for.
But in the past few decades, I’ve found that the advice people value MOST has nothing to do with their outfits and everything to do with making the experience fun and comfortable. After all, the more fun you’re having, the more it will show when you get your gallery.
Read on for tips on what to bring and what to do before you arrive for your family session!
How to Get Family Photos You Really Love!
With that in mind, Here are some tricks I’ve learned over the years to really make your next family picture session your very best one yet!
1. Prep Your Family Ahead of Time
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up for a photo session, and one member of the family looks shocked that I’m there. There are plenty of people who just do not like their photo taken, and it may feel like the best plan is to simply surprise them.
Please don’t do this! Talk to your family members, make sure you’re open and honest with them and – this is important – ask them what, if anything, can be done to make this session more comfortable for them.
I swear by a more documentary approach to photography not just because the results look more authentic and emotional but also because 9 times out of 10, people are more comfortable acting naturally than they are being forced to stand still in a perfect pose, staring at the camera!.
2. Wait to Get Kids Dressed
Planning to have children in the photos? Depending on their age, this tip can save you a whole lot of stress!
If we are taking photos at your house, you have the advantage of being able to dress the kids right before we start. But if you’ve chosen to book one of my mini sessions or we your session will be at an alternate location, you likely have a bit of a ride to get there.
Save yourself the stress of having to clean up a sippy cup spill on the way over by packing a bag with your kids’ outfits and doing a quick change in the car right before we get started.
3. Bring Extra Clothes (And Not Just for the Kids!)
This may feel obvious to folks with young children, but this isn’t just advice for parents of small kids. It’s handy for adults to have an extra outfit on hand too. There’s nothing worse than getting covered in coffee when you stop short on the drive to your photo session because you had to avoid a deer.
Packing an extra outfit, or even just a change of shirt will ensure you’re looking your best when it’s time to say “cheese!”
4. Don’t Try to Make Kids Look at the Camera
I know people mean well when they do this, so if you’re thinking “oops … guilty,” don’t sweat it. Been there. Done that. I appreciated the effort.
Without fail, the batch of photos that I end up having to trash from every session involving kids is a series of images of adults with their hands pointed my way. Nine times out of 10, those hands are actually blocking the faces of their little ones, and it ends up taking me twice as long to capture photos of the child.
Ten times out of 10? The photo of a child looking at a family member or snuggling with a parent or grandparent ends up being much, much cuter anyway!
but this angle allowed me to capture his little hand tightly clasping Mom’s hand for a walk.
5. Pack a Bag
This is another piece of advice I offer to more than just the parents out there. While folks with younger children are often accustomed to grabbing a bag and filling it with snacks, toys and more, it’s helpful for every client to load up a bag with a quick change of shoes, bug spray and other items so they don’t have to run back to the car.
It’s also the perfect place to stow the cellphone that would look bulky and strange in your pocket or that extra hair tie you really don’t want to leave on your wrist.
6. Bring a Blanket
If we’re taking photos outside, it’s almost guaranteed that you’re going to end up sitting on the ground at some point. Bringing along your own blanket provides a barrier to keep any clothes from getting covered in dirt.
While I often bring my own blanket – just in case – bringing your own has its advantages, including:
- It looks more natural in photos because it fits your chosen aesthetic. After all, you bought it!
- If the weather turns chilly, you can pop it on yourself or a family member to warm up, then wear it back to the car.
7. Eat Before You Get Your Pictures Taken
Do you ever get hangry? Me too!
The worst mistake many folks make is planning to eat right after their photo session. Everyone shows up with rumbling tummies, which quickly leads to crankiness from people of all ages.
I recommend everyone eats something, even if it’s small, so everyone is feeling comfortable and ready to have some fun in front of the camera. Of course, it’s best to do this before folks get dressed up in their photo session outfits!
8. Pack Safe Snacks
I get it it. It’s not always feasible for everyone to eat a full meal before a photo session. That’s where safe snacks come into play. These are great for filling the gap before mealtime (and quelling those hangry feelings).
So what do I mean by “safe” snacks? I mean avoiding the more common messy snacks like chocolate (which melts in kids hands) or juice (which easily spills and can stain a child’s cheeks). Even some fruits can end up leaving behind residue.
Instead, I recommend any of the following (of course you know your family’s allergy situation best, so please adjust accordingly):
- Pretzels
- Cheerios or similar plain cereals that won’t make hands sticky
- Raw veggies like carrot sticks or cauliflower
- Snack bars or protein bars that won’t make a mess
If you would prefer to go the candy route, jelly beans tend to be a safe bet as the harder candy coating limit the sticky factor, and kids (and adults) are unlikely to get chocolate all over their faces.
9. Let Kids Be Little
As a mom, I will be the first to tell you that parenthood is the most wonderful job in the world, but at the very same time, it can be tough going. We put incredible amounts of pressure on ourselves to get everything “right,” and that often extends to family photo sessions.
I can’t take all the weight of the world off your shoulders (although I wish I could), but I can offer you a chance to set it down when you arrive at our session.
It’s OK to just let your kids “be” during our time together. You don’t have to get them to behave perfectly. You don’t have to make them smile or stand up straight. You don’t even have to make them put that tongue back in their mouths!
Not only am I not judging your parenting, but I am celebrating all the special bits that make up your family’s interactions and your kids’ oh so personal traits and quirks.
So let go. Enjoy these moments. Let them be little … and I promise to capture the memories you will treasure for decades to come.
10. Don’t Practice Smiling
I realize this is more of a what not to do than a what to do, but it’s a big one! It may seem like a good idea to practice smiling with kids before yoursession, but this can lead to stiff, unnatural expressions. Over-practicing can make them feel pressured, and they may end up looking rehearsed rather than enjoying the session.
11. Bring Wipes
Whether it’s a sticky face from a snack your kiddo somehow discovered in the backseat of the car on the drive over or a runny nose (there’s always something going around!), having wipes on hand makes it easy to give their faces a quick once over. And let’s be real — sometimes they’re a must for adults too!
