How to Prepare for Your Family Portrait Session
Get the kids excited about the photo session!
When you first tell them that you're going to be getting your family pictures done, act excited!
It’s going to be so much fun. This might be their first session in front of a photographer and they could be worried about what they have to do. If they understand it will be a fun afternoon with the whole family and they will get to spend quality time with Mum and Dad and that’s often enough to get them excited.
They can even bring their favourite toy along too if they wish. You could plan a surprise or a special treat like ice cream or dinner out afterwards so they’ll look forward to the entire day then.
You don’t want your kids to think of the photo session as something scary, or worse, a chore.
Make an effort and plan
Mums are often rushing around before a photo session, making sure that their family is dressed and ready.
I always encourage mothers to have their hair and makeup professionally done. This will prepare Mum for her pictures and when Mum is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well. There are lots of mobile hair and make-up artist that come to you if you prefer.
Plan haircuts and other appointments (i.e. makeup, nails, if applicable) in advance so that your family can show up looking your very best.
Don’t leave getting yourself ready for the last minute!
Food
I encourage you not to show up to a photo session on an empty stomach. Many families 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 session.
Involve the kids in the planning
Not only getting the kids excited about the session but also getting the kids involved in the process from the beginning is worth it!
If they get to help pick what they’re going to wear, or what props they can bring, they’ll feel included and be more likely to cooperate.
Get your spouse involved in the process
Sometimes the kids aren’t the only ones that drag their heels for family pictures… Plan ahead so that he knows it’s coming and has time to mentally prepare for it. No one likes being surprised by something they don’t love. Let him know WHY it’s important to you. If he knows it’s about preserving memories for you, and not just for a cute Christmas card, he’s more likely to value it too.
Give him a say in it! Most people don’t like to be told what to wear and how to sit and stand and when to do it. So ask for his opinion and value it. (Maybe you could even make a little shopping date and pick out new outfits together.) If he’s willing to do this just for you, then let him know you appreciate it.
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Get ready early
Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door
Always be touching
Be sure that you are always touching someone. Whether it’s a hug or snuggle, or just a tender hand on the shoulder. Make contact with your family. This shows connections and love.
Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air! Tickle them or give them relentless kisses! Husbands 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. Have fun. Cuddle. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Give them a Squeeze. Doing these things will allow the photographer to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Show your photographer who you really are, so that she has the opportunity to capture your family as they are in the moment.
Don’t stress
You don’t have to be worrying about what the kids are doing and just keep a happy face.
If you can stay positive and playful, chances are much greater that your children will relax and express their awesome personalities. Come to terms with the fact that things might not go “picture perfect”. Children’s emotions can be a wild card at any session. Embrace the fact that someone might cry, fall, get dirty or not sit still. This is what makes them, them. Embrace the crazy. Hug out the cries, tickle the tantrums, and chase hyper wild children that can’t stay still. We’re focusing on moments, so a shy kiddo can get extra snuggles and a wildling one can have extra run time. As cliché as it sounds, they are only little once and looking back on personalities over perfection will be worth it in the end.
