FAMILY GUIDE
Come Prepared! Moms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family is dressed and ready. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.
Think About Your Home Decor I encourage clients to think about their home, their decor,colors, and style of their homes. Chances are, at some point after your session, you will be ordering prints or digital files. Why not keep your your decor in mind and ensure that it all blends into your home. This will ensure that any large portraits will coordinate beautifully.
Weather If your session is outdoors and there is falling rain, it may be an issue. In this case, we will have to reschedule. We will try to contact you first, but please call us at 402.358.5379 or 402.360.3903 if you have any doubts or concerns.
Mindset Make sure everyone is on their best behavior. I understand this can be challenging with little ones as everyone has a different attitude and temper. If you know that your kids are going to be difficult to handle, maybe bring a friend or family member to help out. This will not only relieve the stress off your shoulders, but the photographer as well. This is especially important for studio family sessions for we do not want your child getting hurt. There is also VERY expensive equipment that we do not want damaged.
Eat & Sleep Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, feel free to discuss a time with us that fits into your schedule.
Don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. I meet many families who come to a photo session with dinner scheduled at the end. If this is your plan, be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot. Everyone will be more focused, and have more energy. Feel free to bring crackers, nutrition bar etc. Stay away from chocolate or colored items/drinks.
Bring an Activity or Props Incorporate an activity that the family loves to do together. This gives you something to do with your hands and feet, engages the little ones, and brings an authentic smile to your face. Do you love to read together? Bring some books. Other ideas include: football, piggy back rides, races, hiking, singing, picnics, or even your pet. When families are engaged in doing something that they love together, the photographer will have the opportunity to take memorable photographs.
It’s nice to know ahead of time what you are planning to bring or what you want before the session. I am always open for your ideas. I have a lot of props on hand, so ask and I’ll see if I have it.
Plan Ahead! Once you book your session, start thinking of the clothes right away. You may think certain clothes will fit your kids or that one dress is clean. If you wait until the day of or day before you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting, being dirty or need to be dry cleaned.
Outfits Be sure the colors you use coordinate with each other and you don’t just end up looking like one big rainbow family! When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won’t distract attention away from the main subject/s. Use patterns sparingly. If one person is wearing a print, try to avoid putting someone else in a competing pattern. When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give photos some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, etc. Avoid large logo’s, emblems and graphics like “GAP” and “Old Navy” because again, these will typically distract attention away from the subject.
Feel free to send us pictures of outfit choices before your session so we can help you.
Have Fun! Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. Give your wife a sweet kiss on the check. Tell your husband how much you love him and appreciate him for being there for your family. The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or interacting with each other.
Understand that not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.