Family Photos Prep Information
So glad you’re here! Whether you’ve booked a family session, maternity session or newborn session- this is the page FOR YOU! I’ll be dropping some information on how these sessions go below to get you prepared, ready, and excited for our session together! As always, ANY QUESTIONS, you know I’m here to help you!
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
after having my son and then my daughter, these sessions took on a whole new meaning to me. While getting family photos with our dog was special, capturing and documenting my son's life has been one of the most important tasks I've taken on. I've found that I obsess over his tiny features, the way he constantly changes and grows, and I don't want to forget any of it. It's also made me realize how I would absolutely DIE to have photos like this with my parents. We were the classic studio, posed family photos growing up. As kids, we HATED them, they weren't fun and they were stressful. First, I don't want that experience for your family. And second, while there isn't anything wrong with that style, I find so much more connection and enjoyment in my lifestyle sessions.
So let me applaud you first, for recognizing the importance in booking this session. I know the thought of getting the entire family dressed up and in a good mood for some photos can feel like A LOT, but I promise- you can do this.
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Easiest piece of advice, dress for the season.
If your session is in the fall or winter, shorts and tank tops don't make the most sense. Likewise if your session is in the summer, you will melt in a turtleneck.
For example: in FALL photos you'd want to think warm, cozy knits, + layers!
In SUMMER photos you'd want to think lights, linens + dresses!
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I want you to pick a time that is going to set us all up for success. This is happy child time. Usually this is right after a nap, or between naps. We generally want to avoid a major meal time or the time right before a nap when they might be already tired.
When I go to plan our shoot, I will plan our location around our shoot time. Not all locations are good at all hours of the day. On bright sunny days, we will look for some nice even shade for you guys if we are shooting mid day. If we are indoors, we want the time of day that is going to be the brightest inside your home.
For older kids who can handle later times, we will set our time based on the light. If we are doing an outside session, I would LOVE for us to shoot around sunset and get those really warm + summery feel photos. That might mean for a later night for them.
Let's talk about your family's day to day timelines, what your vision for these is, and what locations might set us up for the most success!
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That is up to you! If you aren’t sure if your home will be the best option, shoot me a message and we can talk about it!
The last thing I want you to worry about is making your home picture perfect. I will work around any messy corners as needed!
I would look at your space and see where the most light is. We will likely shoot there! So if you feel the need to clean, those are the spots to focus on! I’ve been known to move furniture and rearrange rooms for this ;) and sometimes just sitting on the floor is the best too! If we’re shooting in bedrooms, I normally try to clean off nightstands, make beds and fluff pillows.
If you want to incorporate even more lifestyle session or a kids favorite activity (like bath time or baking cookies or bubbles) let me know too so we can set this up so it’s ready to go for photos.
If you want the home feel but not YOUR home, I get it. There are several local studios we can rent for an hour that give that same feel.
OUTFITS CONT’D
Because the number of times I’ve said to my husband: “I have nothing to wear, I’m not going”
Colors is the biggest question I get. Here's my blanket recommendation for colors: neutrals + warm, muted earth toned colors
Planning the GROUP. We want to think COMPLIMENTARY COLORS.
This can be similar hues OR colors that compliment each other (a quick google search can help with this)
And please note, this is all just food for thought! You can take what you need, leave what doesn’t speak to you. The magic in these photos comes from YOU, not your outfits. Trust me- I just did my own family photos in our swimsuits and they’re some of my favorite photos of us to date. It’s about how present and together you can be during the session- not about your fits ;)
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MATERNITY SESSIONS
SOMEWHERE AROUND 30 WEEKS
These sessions are about an hour. They can be done in studio, outside, etc. I recommend 2-3 outfits for these, something that shows off the bump (that’s what it’s all about!) A favorite of mine is some unbuttoned denim jeans, a low loose skirt + open top, or two piece dress. I also think a tight form fitting dress is a good option as well to show the bump off too!
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NEWBORN SESSION
Between 4-6 Weeks Old
I normally aim for 4-6 weeks old at the earliest for these for my lifestyle newborn sessions. This allows you guys to find your footing, allows baby to also adjust and leads to a calmer session. I typically aim for mid morning (babies tend to be most settled earlier in the day) and they last about an hour. I don’t recommend a ton of outfit changes, keep it as simple as possible. I love a relaxed look if you’re in home, neutral and cozy and comfortable. If you’re BFing, I’d recommend feeding prior to my arrival and then either having a small bottle available (if possible) or knowing it’s okay to stop and feed if needed in the shoot. We move slower in these sessions, most are done in home or in studio.
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FAMILY SESSION
ANYTIME + Yearly!
The limit does not exist. My standard family sessions last somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour. We move, we play, we talk. If you want 1-2 outfits that’s great! I love incorporating activities if you have kids- something to symbolize that chapter they’re in right now. These are all about the imperfect moments, the in between. Plan on more movement, interaction and focus on each other than staring at my camera :)
Take a DEEP breath.
Take a deep breathe, because this will be hard for some of you. But I'm not expecting anyone to be perfect, have perfect smiles, or know what they are doing.
Especially with kids, I LIVE for those little in between moments of chaos. So telling them to sit down and smile when they're feeling playful isn't what we are going for here :)
Let's have some fun with it.Let's walk around and hold hands,or cuddle up on a blanket, or sneak some tickles for big smiles.
Know that I just want you guys to be YOU. I'd LOVE for you to interact with each other in between shots, talking to each other and telling silly jokes, or giving kisses and hugs.
