5 Ways To Relax and Enjoy Your Family Photoshoot
Client TIPS
Pick the right photographer for your family
There is a photographer for everyone. Dont just book any photographer, do some research. Instagram is such an easy platform to use to look up photographers in your area, view their style of photos, the poses they showcase, their editing style and locations they use. Do those things align with what you like and want your shoot images to look like? Don’t book a photographer based on price or availability, book based on your love for the art they create and showcase, because that is what they clearly LOVE to photograph. Viewing Instagram stories is a great way to get a feel for your photographer’s personality especially if they talk on their stories, you can ascertain whether they seem to be someone your kids and husband might get along with. For instance, don’t choose a photographer to photograph your family, if all they showcase is photos of cars and houses. Don’t choose a Photographer who’s editing style you dont like in the hope they will change their style of editing for your shoot.
Plan your clothing in advance
There’s nothing more stressful than not knowing what to wear at the last minute! It’s no fun. Be prepared well in advance, map out, iron and store all your family’s outfits ready to go for the shoot. This includes accessories and footwear. Talk to your photographer if you need advice or a second opinion on what might be best to wear. Remember to base your clothing on a cohesive colour palette, but also for practicality of the weather and location you are having photos at. (I have a great blog about what to wear to your photoshoot here.) It’s always handy to have some back up options too incase of a drastic weather change.
Talk to your family about the importance of the shoot to you
Photos for mamas are super important, and not always do your partners or children really understand this. It’s so important to talk to them about how you feel, why you booked the shoot and the importance of them playing a positive role in the shoot. Show them photos of the Photographer you have booked, tell them a little bit about the photographer and why you have booked that particular one. Show them the types of photos you love that the photographer has captured of other families so they get a sense of what they’re in for. Going in blindly to a shoot can be daunting, the more you prepare your family members the better.
Eliminate stressors on the day
Ever tried to do your hair for a special event, only to stuff it up time and time again.. Then suddenly you get yourself in such a bad mood you dont want to go anymore. I know I sure have. If you can remove simple stressors on your shoot day, why wouldn’t you! This might mean you pick the kids up early from school so you have time to play and get ready together and you’re not rushed. It might mean changing your little ones nap times in the day so they are more alert a the shoot. It might mean feeding your kids an early dinner or booking yourself a hair and makeup appointment so you feel your best. Whatever you can do to eliminate stress on the day, do it! Feeling rushed and disorganised is the main stressor I see clients have. If you can aim to be at your shoot early, it’s a good way to have 10 mins to wind down, shake of the chaos of your day and breathe deeply before the shoot begins.
Let your kids be themselves, restrain from discipline & bribes
Family photoshoots are meant to be fun, it’s often one hour of quality, uninterrupted time with the ones you love most. How often do you get to truly spend quality time interacting and loving on your family, without the distractions? Let your kids be their goofy selves, if mum and dad are happy at a shoot, it naturally rubs off on the kids. Let your kids run, be silly, touch all the things and explore the area that you’re shooting at. Remember the shoot is an experience for them too, and letting them be themselves will allow your Photographer to capture authentic non staged photos of you and your family. Get involved, unleash your inner child and have some fun playing and exploring with your kids too. The moment parents start telling their kids off, is the moment that the energy at a shoot drops and the images are likely to be less authentic and natural. It’s also a good idea to restrain from talking about treats you have organised for the kids if they behave at the shoot, often they will fixate on this and be wanting to hurry the shoot up so they get that thing.
I hope those tips are helpful.
Let me know which tips you’ll be taking on board when booking family photos next time, and/or if you have any other useful tips that would help others to relax and enjoy their family photoshoot.
