Your guide to a relaxed and fun family session
A photograph is all about freezing a moment in time. Documenting milestones and our ever changing lives. A tangible thing to remind you of how your kids loved playing in the sand or that cheeky smile your baby would give you. Expect lots of laughs, hugs, kisses, snuggles and I’m not going to lie there could be some tears! Family photos can feel stressful but let’s make it as fun and memorable as possible! Here are some tips to help.
I Love to Capture
authentic family moments
I do love a photo where you’re all smiling and looking at the camera but the real moments happen when you interact, play and love on your kids. Be ready to tickle, kiss, piggy back and swing them! Anything that will get some real smiles. Parents seem to know the special things that make their kids laugh. If that’s true for you, feel free to use those tid bits anytime! These are the things that are unique to your family and make the images I love the most.
Before the session
try not to over schedule the day so everyone still has some energy! Chat with the kids about it like it’s going to be an adventure and a fun family outing, not some boring thing they have to endure every year. Let them in on why we take pictures—so we can always remember their cute little faces just as they are now, and to show how much fun and love you all have. Mention how these photos can be hung up at home or in their bedroom and sent as a sweet gift for the Grandparents.
The Time of Day
significantly influences the final look of your photos. I’ll aim to arrange the session during the two hours leading up to sunset when the sun casts a gentle, flattering glow. We’ll steer clear of mid-day to avoid harsh shadows and colour casts. While soft lighting is the dream, so is happy kids so we’ll coordinate with nap and bedtime schedules whenever possible. Start times vary with the seasons, so be sure to refer to my post on the ideal season for family photos to find the most suitable timing for your family.
If mid-day is your only option, you might want to consider an in-home lifestyle session.
The Location
If there’s a spot that’s special to your family then I’d love to hear about it, or just pick from some of my favourite places in your area. I usually lean towards natural wide open spaces, where there’s plenty of room for the kids to run around and play without any worries. Selecting the ideal spot for your family photos might feel like a big decision, but the real magic happens when you’re all just hanging out together as a family, not necessarily what the background is.
during the session
let’s keep things relaxed and let the kids be themselves. I’ve found that their unique personalities shine brightest in a no-discipline zone. Don’t worry if they get a little dirty, that’s what photoshop is for! While I’ll be guiding and prompting them, I don’t expect them to follow every instruction to the letter. Actually, it’s usually better when they interpret directions in their own way—it’s in those moments that their true personalities emerge. If, after a few attempts, the kids aren’t into whatever we’re doing, no worries—we’ll quickly move on. I have lots of games and tricks up my sleeve to ensure we capture genuine moments that align with their mood that day.
Romanticize your life
Neutrals
What to wear
Feel free to keep it laid-back with your outfit choice since we’re likely to be shooting in a natural setting. Given the active nature of my sessions, where you might find yourself running, sitting, squatting, laying down, and wrangling kids – possibly all at once – it’s wise to go for something comfy and easy to move in. Too-formal clothes and shoes can make the outdoor vibe feel un natural and might even limit what we can do during the session, making it less enjoyable for the kids. Aim for coordination among the group rather than everyone matching exactly. While I’m a fan of patterns, let’s keep them on one or two people (depending on the group size), and have the others in complementary solid colors. Steer clear of super bright primary colors, especially red. Cream or off-white photographs better than pure white.
Start with Mom’s outfit and build the rest from there. That way Mom can choose something she feels great it, maybe something she’s had in her closet for a while but hasn’t had an opportunity to wear yet! A long flowy dress seems to work for all body types. A casual button up is perfect for dad. Dress like yourselves but turn it up a few notches!
You can’t go wrong with earth tones and neutrals. Natural textures like linen and knits photograph great as well. Take a look at this visual guide to the left – showcasing some neutral tones and colours that photograph nicely
- Dress for the weather. Sweaters are perfect for a cold or windy day. Make sure to layer as much as possible underneath. Winter accessories are always fun if there's snow!
- Remember to match the location! Dressy clothing and shoes in a rustic outdoor spot won't look natural.
- Little ones that are wearing a dress should have on something like tights or shorts on underneath.
- Consider a one piece outfit for babies under two. If you do choose separates like a shirt and pants consider putting a onesie underneath.
consider going light on the gear so we’re not lugging a bunch of stuff from one spot to the next. Also less distractions, if they know something’s in your bag that they want it’s a recipe for tears. There are a few essentials I would bring though, like snacks! Everyone with a toddler know snacks are life. Just opt for something small and easy to eat, not something they’ll want to hold in their hand for the rest of the shoot. I’ve had to try and photoshop out everything from a granola bar to a bagel! If they have a favourite stuffed animal or toy, bring it along! It adds a nice personal touch to the photos as long as you don’t mind it being in there. Toss in wipes for quick cleanups or a brush for any hair mishaps. Absolutely bring your pet! and even though we’re doing our best to make this a positive experience, a treat for after can’t hurt.
If you want to involve an activity that your family does often I’m always down for that! Just give me a heads up so I can prepare and pick the best location for the activity.
What to bring
EMBRACE THE CHAOS
is the best advice I can offer. Approach it as a family adventure, anticipating moments of connection and fun without any preconceived expectations. Give your kids your full undivided attention and focus on the good things! Having captured family moments through my lens for over a decade, nothing your children do will faze me—I’ve seen it ALL.
Allow your kids to be their authentic selves, don’t sweat the small things! stay in the moment instead of worrying about every little detail and you’ll have photos you can cherish for years to come:)
More Resources
Have Questions?
If the forecast is calling for lots of rain or really cold temperatures on the day of the shoot, we’ll reschedule. I want this to be a great experience and the rain tends to put a damper on the mood (literally!) so I’m happy to move it to another day. Shooting under a covered area or moving it inside isn’t generally an option. Because the forecast is usually so unreliable I wait until the night before or even the morning of the session to make the call. When I can see the hourly forecast for the day I can make the most informed decision.
MY CHILD IS SHY. WILL THEY HAVE TIME TO WARM UP?
This is why I prefer not to have strict time limits on family shoots. Some kids jump out of the car ready to go, some kids take awhile to warm up, and most kids fall somewhere in the middle.
I’ll always do my best to get the kids to crack up and be my friend but I love to capture them for who they are at the time too. If they’re wild and energetic awesome, if they’re shy and don’t want to smile then that’s ok too! Let’s be ok with them holding their favourite stuffed animal or wearing their favourite boots if it makes them happy.
I will definitely give lots of direction! but I prefer a collaborative approach. Rather than dictating every step, I encourage you to explore what feels natural first. Always happy to offer suggestions if needed! especially when it comes to keeping things flattering. With lots of games and activities, we’ll keep the fun flowing so you won’t have time to feel awkward!
Absolutely! Indoor and outdoor family sessions are a little different though. Outdoor sessions are higher energy and take place closer to sunset. Indoor session are focused more on cozy moments and in home activities and take place closer to mid-day.
