Family Session Tips

Your session experience is just as important as the finished product! 

Here are my top 6 tips for a fun session that will give you tangible memories of a precious evening with your family!

1. Plan ahead. 

We’ve taken all the guesswork out of choosing a perfectly curated wardrobe for your session. Be sure to use these tools, tips, and tricks to choose your wardrobe items early and get them ordered so you aren't stressed with delayed shipping times, items that need exchanged last minute, etc. Having your session outfits all together, ironed, and ready to go a few days ahead of time will help you be able to relax on shoot day.

2. Don’t stress. 

I know that EVERYONE wants a sunset and EVERYONE wants perfect weather. But don't stress yourself out days or weeks prior to your session obsessing over every weather forecast. Let me handle that ;) I'll be in touch on shoot day if the weather looks questionable and we will come up with a plan b.

3. Memories matter. 

 Instead of looking at family session day as a dreaded task, think of it as an opportunity to have a laid back, fun evening just hanging out with your family with no distractions. No cell phones, no to-do lists, no schedule. This is a rare moment in time when you aren't being pulled in 100 different directions. Sit in that. Enjoy it. Chase those toddlers, snuggle those babies, soak up that hug from your preteen and enjoy a couple of interrupted minutes with your spouse while we take those parent shots at the end. Your finished gallery will mean so much more if you have sweet memories of a fun family evening to go with it.

4. Have a chat. 

 If this is one of your first professional photo sessions, talk to your kiddos beforehand. Show them some of my images on social media of mommas snuggling and playing with their kids. Tell them we are going on an adventure- that we will be playing and taking photos at the same time. Kids will read your energy. If you’re excited - they will be. If you're anxious and apprehensive- they will be. You can always have something fun planned for after the shoot too… dinner out? Or ice cream? Something else for the kiddos to look forward to once our adventure is complete!

5. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Having a camera pointed at you can be nerve wracking but if you can, just ignore it and create memories. I'll direct you into flattering poses and give you prompts to create beautiful connection based images. If I'm not telling you to change what you’re doing and I'm just shooting away… that means everything that's happening is magical and I wouldn't change a thing! Just keep doing what you’re doing. If something is weird, I'll tell you! If I want you to look at me I'll call for your attention, otherwise I just want you and your family to be focused on one another.

6. Trust the process.

I've shot over 1200 family sessions in my lifetime. Some prompts and poses are going to feel weird and corny. That’s on purpose. I've got an entire arsenal of tricks to pull out genuine smiles and facial expressions from kiddos and adults. Just go with the flow, have an open mind and most of all HAVE FUN!