Family photos are some of my favorite types of photos to capture. Not only do I get to see different families with their different dynamics interact and express their bond, but I also get to create photographs that capture memories and moments that will last for lifetimes. I get to, in a sense, play historian for their stories, preserving moments in time for generations to come. It's a wonderful experience, and while each family and each session is unique, there are a few tips that I have found to be universally helpful for nearly every family shoot (or any session). Here are some of my best tips for preparing for your photo session to make sure it goes smoothly and you have the best experience.

What to Wear

If you're looking for fashion tips, you won't find them here. I love seeing all of the personal styles people bring to their sessions. But when it comes to those styles, there are some best practices.

-Don't wear your photo outfit(s) to the session if it can be avoided. In most cases, even outdoor sessions will have a restroom or changing room nearby so that you can put on what you want to wear in your photos right before we begin. This tip is especially important for young children, who might ruin their outfits on the way to a session. As a mom myself, I know just how easily a kid can go from perfectly dressed to a perfect mess. Waiting to dress at the session keeps everyone looking fresh.

-Try on your photo outfits before the session. A lot of my clients like to get new outfits for their photo sessions and that's great. However, every so often, someone will order or purchase something that doesn't fit quite the way they expected (or a little one will have an unexpected growth spurt). Checking your outfits a few days before the session will help alleviate wardrobe stress on your day off.

-Bring a backup outfit. Especially for those with very young children, having a spare outfit is important. You never know when someone will get something on their clothes and while careful editing can help with small issues, there are some things that even that can't hide. It's always good to have a backup.

Being Prepared

Outside of clothes, the biggest thing I like to remind clients is that being prepared for the session is important and by that, I mean you want to do everything you can to be in a good mood for your photos. Here are some of my best tips.

-Don't get photos taken while hungry. You know those Snickers commercials that say "you're not you when you're hungry"? It's true! Having a snack before your photo session can keep the hangries away and this is especially true for children. And for very young children, if the photo session is near mealtime, you might want to go ahead and feed them before the session. It will make it much easier for you as well as me as the photographer to get those beautiful photos. As a bonus tip, having some sort of simple, non-messy snacks on hand just in case is never a bad idea.

-Naps are magic. This one is mostly for kids, but even adults love naps, too. Try to ensure that your little ones have had their nap before your photo session. Your child will be much happier and the photos will show it.

Other Best Practices

Here are just a few of my other basic tips for a successful photo session.

-Be on time. As a photographer who shoots with natural light, the timing of my sessions is crucial to getting the best images and that makes being on time very important. Being on time for your session - or even 10 minutes early if you have to dress on-site - will ensure you get the best photos.

-Communicate with your photographer. Have someone in your party who doesn't like their photo taken? Have a child scared of cameras? Let me know in advance. I can help come up with strategies to make it easier for everyone.

How do you prepare for family photos? I'd love to hear how your family gets ready to capture memories. Leave me a comment or, if you're interested in booking your own family session, fill out my contact form here.