Family Picture day can be stressful! As a mom of two kids and a wife to a man…aka picture hater, I know firsthand how stressful it all can be. From choosing outfits, getting them washed and ironed, coordinating the shoes and accessories, choosing a location, finding a photographer and prepping the rest of the family it can be a bit overwhelming. A family session can be a fun and playful time for you and your kids, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to getting everyone dressed and ready to go. Check out these tips for taking the stress out of your family photo session. Here’s to a stress free and dare I say “fun” family portrait session experience!
Prepare the family
This one is especially important for little ones but it’s also very useful for husbands as well. About 3-4 days prior to your session, start talking to them about what to expect on picture day and how they need to behave. If you’re thinking about a bribe, now is the time to share that with them to get them excited. If you’re planning to bring a treat or snack with you to the session, make sure it’s not chocolate or anything that could make a mess on their clothes or faces. Continue to talk with your children daily so that they get excited about the experience and not nervous. Some little ones tend to be shy at first and talking about me by name before the day of the session helps them to feel like they already know me when we meet. Prep your husband by letting him know how much family photos mean to you and that you would love it if he could support this! Trust me; I know how much husbands dread family picture day. I always prepare mine days in advance and he gives me that one hour and even tells me after that it wasn’t as painful as he was expecting!
Talk to your kids
The best way to prepare your children for a photo session is to tell them what to expect. Help them understand the importance of following the photographer’s directions and smiling when asked. Most importantly, try to make them seem how fun the session can be. After all, you want to capture your family enjoying spending time together!
Pick out your outfits early
You may not want every member of your family to match perfectly, but you don’t want the colors in their clothes to clash. Try to choose outfits for each of you that coordinate—similar styles and all in the same color palette. Plus, having your outfits chosen in advance will save you time on the day of the session.
Make sure everyone is comfortable
Even if you have visions of your kids dressed in their Sunday best, it’s more important that they’re comfortable. If your children are in overly warm or restrictive clothes, they’re more likely to become irritable and less likely to smile for photos. Be sure to check the weather forecast and choose outfits accordingly.
Work around naptime—and get plenty of rest
If your kids take a nap during the day, try to schedule your photo session after that time, so everyone will be refreshed. And make sure that you’re well-rested too! You’ll be able to handle small stresses better if you get a good night’s sleep the night before your session.
Above all—have fun!
Do your best to relax and have fun with your family during your photo session. Candid shots with genuine smiles are better than forced grins and will better capture your family’s personalities. Don’t worry too much about the little things and just enjoy being with your children and capturing memories!
Any questions? Get in touch over on my contact page!