Family Photos — Tips and Tricks
Family photos can be very stressful, especially if your kids are acting up or refusing to wear the shoes you picked out because they don’t light up. I wanted to share some helpful tips I’ve gathered while photographing families and kids throughout the years (and experience I’ve gathered doing my own family photos each year). I hope it helps you feel more comfortable and stress-free come shoot day!
FAMILY OUTFITS
Let’s be honest, you’ve perused Pinterest and Instagram more times than you’re willing to admit looking for that perfect combination of holiday outfits that will make your family photos look like something that belongs in an editorial spread (and they will). Here are some tips I follow each year for my own family photos, and believe me…. it helps!
Lay out all your outfits ahead of time (I usually pick my outfit out first and then follow with my sons and then my husbands).
Make sure everyone tries on their holiday outfits beforehand — even the shoes!
Make sure YOU ARE COMFORTABLE! Honestly, I’ve been to so many shoots where I didn’t feel 100% comfortable in my outfit choice, and it showed in the photos. Make sure you pick something you love and feel great in, and you will SHINE like the goddess that you are.
COLORS ARE KEY! If you plan on framing these photos (and I hope you do!), take a look around your house for color inspiration. Printed photos are artwork, so they will look best when they match your home decor! Do you use a lot of blues or creams throughout your home? Take that into consideration when picking out your outfits! Neutrals are always my go-to for family outfits. I try to avoid bright colors (bright red tends to not translate that well on camera, so keep that in mind for holiday outfits) and busy prints. Solid, neutral items always look so amazing on camera, and blend into any location!
TIPS FOR KIDS (infants, toddlers and beyond)
Bring them to the shoot with a full belly (hungry babies = fussy babies!)
Bring along a favorite toy, snack (or even person!) that will help get those smiles out (if you’ve shot with me before, you know I am not above bribery to get those smiles LOL)
Try to time their nap around the shoot (I know this is easier said than done, but even if they sleep in the car on the way over to the shoot, this will help their mood tremendously).
Put them in a different shirt/outfit for the car ride over — my son spilled juice all down his shirt right when we got to the location for our photos (ugh!). Having a spare outfit also helps in this scenario, but arriving a bit early and changing them into their outfit on-site is also a great idea!
Bring plenty of burp cloths and baby wipes to help with drool, spit up or dirty faces.
Lastly, please do not stress out if your kid won't sit and smile for my camera when you or I ask. I will capture those great family photos regardless of how your kiddos are acting! Let your kids run around, play with sticks or adventure into the bushes... those “real life” moments typically end up being the favorites, so take a deep breath, and enjoy these precious moments we are capturing. They’ll be over before you know it ♥
