Tips for a Successful Family Session
Planning a family photo session can be challenging. But no need to worry - I am hear to help make it an easy and enjoyable experience for everyone! Over the last 10 years of photographing families, I’ve come up with some simple tips to ensure you have a fun and successful family photo session.
1. Make sure your children are rested and fed
This may sound obvious, but it is important, especially with younger kids. If your child still naps, make sure you put them down with plenty of time to allow a full nap AND extra time to get her fed and ready. It’s more important to plan your session around naps and well rested kiddos, than to plan around the best light of the day!
I recommend that you bring along a small snack (one that isn’t messy, please), and water, just in case your child get’s hungry or thirsty.
2. Prepare the children for the day
I recommend talking to your children in advance to prepare them for your session. For younger kiddos, tell them you are going meet a friend at the park who will take your pictures.
If you have a child who is especially shy or anxious around strangers, it can be helpful to meet your photographer before your session. When possible, I love being able to meet children during the pre-session consultation call that I provide for families before their session. If you’d like to have a Zoom call before your session, just let me know, I’m happy to oblidge!
3. Be intentional about your attire and plan in advance
I’m always here to help with this one! Clothing choices can have a huge impact on how much you love your family photos. Please don’t wait until a few days before to choose clothing or have your kids try on an outfit or shoes, only to discover it doesn’t fit.
When you book a session with me, I’ll provide guidance in choosing clothing that will photograph well and reflect your personality. Most importantly, I recommend the mamas choose an outfit they feel comfortable and beautiful in since when you feel good, you look your best. I’ve found the most efficient way is to text me a snapshot of the options for everyone in the family, then we’ll work together to choose the color palette and textures that will photograph the best!
If you have a baby or toddler, I also recommend bringing along a back-up outfit, just in case!
Important note: for little ones wearing a dress - please put shorts or bloomers under their dress!
4. Bring an activity your families enjoys
I love to incorporate activities into each session. It not only gives you something to do, which helps them relax and forget about the camera, but it also allows me to capture storytelling images of your family. For parents with young kids, bringing along a favorite book and blanket to sit on can be a great option. Activities help engage little ones, and bring out authentic smiles.
For older kids, playing catch, piggy back rides, races, hiking, and dancing, are great activities that allow children to have fun and be themselves. I can capture beautiful and authentic photos when kids are doing what they love.
5. Allow your children to be themselves
My sessions are very CHILD-LED. However your child shows up is OK!
I find sessions go best when parents allow me to direct their kids and follow my prompts and directions. When parents focus on interacting with their kids, rather than telling them what to do or not do, kids are happier and more relaxed.
If your child wants to wander and pick up a pretty leaf off the ground, let them. But if your toddler just wants to be in your arms then I’ll capture their sweet cuddles with you.
6. Breath and trust I will find the beauty in the imperfect
This may be the hardest tip to embrace. But I think it’s one of the most important tips to a successful family photo session. You want everything to be perfect, but the truth is that no matter how carefully we plan, we can’t control how everything will go. Kids have off days. Maybe your little one just doesn’t feel like cooperating. I have a very strong-willed and spirited kiddo- so I get this! I try my hardest to just go with the flow and not force him to be in the photos if he doesn’t want to. I find when I just allow him to be, we get more honest and beautiful moments.
The best thing you can do when this happens is to take a deep breath and trust me to see and capture the beauty in the moment.
7. A little incentive when necessary
This one maybe controversial - but I’m also totally ok with a little reward for their cooperation. I’ve been known to have fruit snacks or little treats for my son as he cooperates with some photos. It still feels genuine and authentic to offer just a little incentive when needed!
8. Focus on your WHY
Why did you book your family photo session? Was it to get that perfect family photo for a holiday card? Sure, that might be one reason, but hopefully it’s not your main reason. If you’ve chosen me to photograph your family, you want photos that show more than how your family looks at this moment in time. You want images that truly capture your family’s love and connection. You want images that will evoke emotion, and trigger a memory of how life in that moment felt. You want photos that will become family heirlooms.
8. Really look at your kids and your partner
Yes. I mean really look at them. Breathe them in like the first time your baby was placed in your arms. Hug them and kiss them.
When parents’ eyes are on their children, they give the most natural, relaxed and beautiful smiles. As a mom, I cherish these types of images the most and I hope you will too because they portray your family’s connection and love.
Remember, not everyone has to be looking at the camera at the same time in every image. In fact, if you’ve hired me for a lifestyle family session, you know this is not the goal of your session.
As your photographer, I’ll capture all of the emotions – whether it’s a joyful moment of you and your family giggling or your husband comforting your crying baby. Because those are the images that reflect your family and tell your story.
9. Relax and Have Fun
You got your family dressed/ready and arrived on time for your session. That’s a huge win! I know it isn’t easy. Now it’s time to relax, have fun and enjoy spending time with your loved ones. Let me do all the work. Hey, that’s why you hired me.
I’ll handle all the directing and if your toddler needs some time to run around, no problem. I’ll capture a few shots of you and your spouse. I find that giving kids a few moments to explore, while I focus on other family members often makes them want to be part of the picture.
We’ll play games and I’ll guide you through genuine interactions with your family. You’ll snuggle, hold hands, laugh, play, give hugs and kisses, and tickle your children. I’ll show you that your children and your family are beautiful, just as you are!
Want to see more of my work?
Hello there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Katrina, the heartbeat behind Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film, in Durham, North Carolina. I specialize in capturing meaningful and precious memories for remarkable families in North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed this story I shared today and if you are interested in learning more about The Time Capsule membership, or let’s connect. Not quite ready to connect, but you would like to follow along the journey? Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!
Katrina is a family photographer and family filmmaker in Durham, North Carolina. She offers lifestyle newborn photography, family photography and family videography which focuses on capturing authentic and honest moments for families. Her clients love that not only do they get digital files from their session but artwork to display in their home. She is happy to custom albums so you can revisit your favorite memories for years to come! Be sure to check out the Adobe partnership to see Katrina sharing her knowledge on capturing magical light to highlight the essence of each family.
Want an easy way to make something beautiful out of all your phone photos and videos? Learn more about the Time Capsule Membership here.
Katrina serves Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Carrboro, Apex, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.