Have fun with your family
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. Have fun. Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Doing these things will allow the photographer to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Leave the stiff “cheese” faces for Aunt Marge at the next family reunion. Show your photographer who you really are, so that she has the opportunity to capture your love through her lens
Bring an activity that you enjoy doing together as a family
My favorite family sessions have incorporated 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. Is your favorite dessert ice cream? Bring some ice cream bars or drumsticks to your session. Love to play board games or cards? Plan to play a round of Uno or Monopoly during your family photo session. Other ideas include: football, piggy back rides, races, hiking, singing, picnics, the ideas are endless. When families are engaged in doing something that they love together, the photographer will have the opportunity to take some beautiful and authentic photographs.
Don't worry about looking at the camera
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. If you are engaged as a family and loving each other, your eyes will be on your family members and your smile will be natural. These are the photographs that you will cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.
Prepare the kids
Tell your family about the photoshoot coming up. Get them excited. Talk to them about what kind of photos you want to get taken at the shoot (on parents shoulders, playing tag, reading together, anything). Brainstorming is part of the fun!
What to wear
Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant? Choose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy) with accent colors such as blush, lavender, green, and blues
What not to wear in a photoshoot
Photoshoots are stressful enough, we don’t need to add uncomfortable clothing to the mix. Here are a few tips to avoid that. Don’t wear clothes that are either too baggy or too tight. If your clothing is too baggy it can cause the body to look bigger than it actually is. It can also cause issues when moving around, especially on younger kids. Clothing that is too tight can restrict the poses and options for photos. Try on your outfits ahead of time. Make sure it is comfortable to sit on the ground without having your undergarments showing and the ability to move with ease. When picking out your kids' clothing, remember comfort is the most important thing. If your kids are uncomfortable, even in the cutest outfit ever, it will make the whole experience of the photo shoot harder.
Try to avoid bright colors and loud designs. We want your photos to be timeless and focus on your family and emotions rather than your clothing. Also avoid putting everyone in different colors.
Bring a snack
If your kids are anything like mine, snacks are THE BEST. Bring a few easy snacks or even plan a picnic! If you plan a snack make sure they are small, easy to eat things that can be given between shots. If you're bringing a picnic let me know and we can photograph your family enjoying a simple meal outside!
Bring back up clothes
We all know how Oregon weather can be. One minute it is 85 degrees and sunny, the next it is raining on us! Don’t forget to bring a nice sweatshirt that you won't mind having in your photos, as well as leggings, jeans, and a t-shirt you want for a backup option.
