Family photography sessions can be one of the most fulfilling of all the sessions you can accomplish. Our children grow so fast, and milestones come and go constantly. They represent the love each other has and the joy they express being around each other. This guide will prep you for everything you need to know, and bring, when preparing for your family portrait session so you don’t have to stress about it.
Prepping for family sessions and ensuring you get the most out of your session is very important to us. We know that you want the best experience possible, including the small things like what to wear, when to take the photos, how to pose during a session, and how to act during your session. So…we’ve made it simple for you!
Choosing Your Colors
Choosing what to wear can be difficult! So I like to make this simple: Choose a color scheme that matches your personalities! If you’re bright and vibrant, bring matching outfits that go along with your vibrance!
It’s important to remember that everyone should match the same pallet. This really brings out the colors within the photos and avoids any standouts. It’s also important to remember how the environment plays into your selection. Sunset is very warm (yellow and orange) and sunrise can be more cool (blues), so use the time of your session as a guide as well.
Example Color Pallets to Choose From
What to Wear
Now that you have a color scheme, it’s time to choose your outfits! Flowing, loose fitting clothing is best for sessions. It reduces the chances of bulking up, allows for more movement during your session, they’re more comfortable, and are flattering to all body types.
Also, choose something that matches who you are as a family when preparing for your family portrait session. If you’re posh, wear posh. If you’re country, wear country. Your personality should show itself in your art! Lastly, bring accessories. Scarves, hats, jackets, and anything else you love. Accessories bring an extra flavor and pop to your photos that you don’t want to miss out on!
Preparing Your Children
As we all know, children can be…unpredictable. When preparing your children for photo session, it’s important to be up front and honest with them, which is also setting YOU up for having a more relaxed and less stressful session. Set the stage: We’re going to take photos of us having a great time together, we’re going to play games, we’re going to run around, we’re going to laugh and touch the flowers, we’re going to have FUN!
Bring items for them to enjoy: Bubbles, sports, magnifying glass, fun airplanes. An important thing to remember, however, is that these items will end up in your photos, so ensure they are appeasing to you when you see them later. A photography session should be fun and exciting, and that’s exactly how it should be!
What to Bring
What you bring can be the difference between an overly successful session and a not so successful session. Kids (and adults) get hangry when they don’t have a snack. Or a 1-year-old may get irritable if their diaper isn’t changed fast enough and you forgot the wipes. Here are a few items to remember for a successful session:
- Infant and toddler items (diapers, wipes, sunscreen, butt cream, socks, etc.)
- A stroller for them to relax
- Hair items (combs, brushes, hairspray, pins, scrunchies, volumizer)
- FOOD! Always bring NON MESSY snacks. Something all ages can snack on and not dribble all over their clothing
- Accessories as mentioned above
- Fun memorables that are specific to you and your family
Selecting the Time of Day
One of the key ingredients to a GREAT session: Lighting! Which way it comes from, where it’s located on your face and body, the color of it. This makes the time of day that you have your session all the more important. If you have younger children, I HIGHLY recommend sunrise. I know…it’s early! But hear me out. How does your toddler act when they’re tired and worn out from the day? Not well, usually. They’re the most unpredictable at night. You may get an angel, but you may not. There is no way to know how it’s going to go. Now, how is your child in the morning after they’ve had breakfast and a good night’s sleep? There is a HIGH chance you’re going to have a much better session in the morning, even if you wake them a little early.
If you have older children who don’t give in to the emotions of life quite as drastically, choose a sunset session. It’s more relaxed, you get watch the sun go down, and you can bring a bottle of wine and just take it all in.
DO NOT have an outdoor session in between sunrise and sunset unless you absolutely have to. The lighting is too harsh and the angles are not flattering. A studio session is fine at any time.
Posing
Maybe the most nerve-wracking part of a session: Posing. What do I do with my hands? My feet? Will this position make me look fat? Well…don’t worry about it! We are here to help in every way to ensure you look your best. Through a lot of education and practice, we’ve refined the best ways to pose all sizes, ages, and types of people. We will guide you through each photo with meticulous placement to keep you looking your best. Trust us!
Finally…Just Have a Great Time!!
Photography sessions are meant for YOU and your family! To show who you are at your best. Something you will love looking back at for years to come. Enjoy your session. Let go of yourself, dance in the sun, smile, laugh, embrace your loved ones, and just feel good for those few hours you’re creating everlasting memories. I promise you won’t regret it!
Our goal here at A2I Photography is to guide you through preparing for your family portrait session with activities for the kids and a relaxing atmosphere that will create beautiful art pieces. Remember to let your children be children, and allow them to show their true selves. The more relaxed they are, the better it shows in the art. And if they need breaks, then we’ll take some breaks to gather their energy back. This will be an amazing journey for you, and we are excited to live it with you!
