Preparing for Your Family Photography Session: Tips for a Relaxed, Joyful Experience
Family photography is all about capturing the unique love, connection, and personalities that make your family special. I want your session to feel natural, relaxed, and fun—so that the love between you and your family shines through in every image. I’m here to help you prepare for a memorable experience.
To ensure that your session goes smoothly and you get the most out of it, I’ve put together some helpful tips and things to consider before stepping into the studio. This session is about capturing moments, not perfection, so let’s focus on having fun and enjoying the time together.
1. Sessions Are in Studio: Comfortable & Personal
All of my family sessions take place in the comfort of my studio. I’ve designed the space to feel like home—cozy, warm, and inviting. My goal is to create a relaxed environment where everyone can be themselves, whether you’re in a group pose or taking a moment for individual portraits.
The studio allows me to control the lighting and background to create the best atmosphere for your family portraits. Plus, being indoors means we won’t have to worry about the weather—so no matter the season, I’m ready to capture beautiful moments.
2. Include Family Members and Individual Poses
I love capturing both individual and group portraits, so make sure to bring everyone who you want to be part of the session! Whether it’s just the immediate family or you’d like to include grandparents, siblings, or even pets, I’m happy to accommodate.
During your session, I’ll take a mix of group shots as well as individual portraits of each family member. These individual shots are great for highlighting each person’s personality and are perfect for creating keepsakes or gift prints for relatives.
3. Prepare Your Children Ahead of Time
I know how important it is to make sure your kids are happy, comfortable, and ready for their close-up. The key is preparation:
- Well-rested & Well-fed: Make sure your kids have had a good night’s sleep before the session and have a nutritious meal or snack before you arrive. Hungry or tired kids are less likely to enjoy the experience, so I recommend planning a relaxed morning before your session.
- Set Expectations Gently: Talk to your children ahead of time about the photoshoot. Let them know what to expect and remind them it’s all about having fun. I understand kids may not always be in the mood to smile or pose, so keep the tone lighthearted and relaxed.
- Don’t Stress About Behavior: If your child isn’t smiling for every photo or gets distracted, don’t stress. The goal is to capture authentic moments and connections. Sometimes the most beautiful images are the ones that capture candid expressions or a fleeting moment of affection.
4. Use Incentives: Small Treats or Toys Can Work Wonders
Sometimes, the best way to keep kids engaged and happy during a photoshoot is with a little incentive. Bringing along a small treat, toy, or favorite item can be a great way to motivate younger children and help them feel more comfortable during the session. Here are a few ideas:
- Favorite Toy or Stuffed Animal: If your child has a favorite toy or stuffed animal, bringing it along can help them feel more at ease. It’s a nice way to add a personal touch to your photos, too. If you have neutral coloured toys all the better!
- Small Treats: A lollipop, a snack, or even a small piece of chocolate can help keep your child’s mood upbeat. I have candy, chips, snacks and small toys available, a treat can be the perfect motivator to get those smiles!
Incentives help keep things lighthearted and fun, and I’m happy to work with whatever keeps your children smiling and engaged. They also go a long way towards ensuring your kids are excited for their next shoot.
5. Go with the Flow: Embrace Imperfection
One of the best things about family photography is that it’s all about capturing the love and connection between family members, not about achieving perfect hair or flawless poses.
- Let Go of Perfection: Don’t worry if your children’s hair is slightly out of place or if their outfits aren’t perfectly coordinated. It’s more important that everyone feels comfortable and natural. I want to capture your family as you are—real, loving, and unique. A little messiness can often be the best part!
- Focus on Connection: Instead of worrying about getting everyone to look directly at the camera or forcing perfect smiles, focus on connecting with each other.
6. Clothing Tips: Comfortable, Coordinated, But Not Matchy-Matchy
What you wear to your session can make a big difference in how your photos turn out. Here are some tips to help you feel confident and comfortable:
- Neutral and Soft Tones: Soft, neutral colors like pastels, creams, and earth tones tend to photograph beautifully and create a calm, timeless look. Avoid clothing with loud patterns or logos that could distract from the focus of the photograph—your family’s bond.
- Comfortable & Layers: Make sure everyone is comfortable in their clothing. You’ll want to be able to move freely, especially with young children, so avoid anything too tight or restrictive. Layers (like a cardigan or sweater) can help give variety to your photos and keep everyone comfortable in changing studio temperatures.
7. Create a Customized Wish List & Session Plan
I want this session to be tailored to you and your family’s vision, so feel free to share your ideas with me! A few ways you can help me create a personalized experience include:
- Inspiration Photos: If you have a vision for how you’d like your photos to look, feel free to send me inspiration photos. Whether it’s a particular pose, color palette, or mood, I’ll work with you to make it happen.
- Special Requests: Do you have any particular family heirlooms or props you’d like to include? Or perhaps you want to capture a certain activity or tradition, like reading a favorite book together or playing a game? Let me know!
- Location & Mood: Although we’re shooting in-studio, feel free to let me know if there’s a particular mood or feeling you’re going for—whether it’s cozy, playful, or formal. I’ll do my best to create that atmosphere.
The Most Important Thing: Enjoy the Moment
Above all, remember that your family session is an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moments with your loved ones. These photos will become cherished memories that you’ll look back on for years to come, and they’ll be filled with the real, heartfelt moments that make your family unique.
I’m here to guide you through the process, capture your family’s love, and create timeless images that reflect who you are. If you have any questions or special requests for your upcoming session, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I’m excited to work with you and create photos that you and your family will treasure forever.