What to bring to your outdoor family photo session
Wondering what you should bring along to your outdoor family photo session? Here are five things I recommend families bring along to make sure their session is as wonderful as possible.
1. A Backup Outfit
I am convinced that having a back-up outfit or extra onesie for your baby is like bringing along an umbrella. At least that was the case when my son was a baby. I never needed an extra outfit unless I forgot to pack it! Hopefully you won’t need it but just in case something unexpected happens, your little one will have another outfit on hand. For little ones wearing a dress - always put shorts or bloomers on under the dress!
2. Snacks and Water
I always advise parents to make sure the kids have eaten before a session. But, having a small, mess-free snack on hand (like apple slices, dry cereal or dried fruit) and water can be helpful if kids get hungry or thirsty mid-session. I’ve also found that small treats can come in handy as a reward to entice kids to cooperate, provided that you are comfortable with a little bribery.
3. Wet Wipes
Another essential you should have on hand at all time, a pack or two of travel-sized wet wipes and tissues for messy faces, dirty hands, or anything else that comes up.
4. A Blanket
I always have a few blankets on hand to use for outdoor sessions, but if you have a favorite blanket or special quilt that you would like to incorporate into your session be sure to bring it along. Just be sure it will coordinate with your clothing and avoid very brightly colored blankets as they will create color casts on skin.
5. A Favorite Toy or Activity
Bringing along a favorite toy can be especially helpful for babies and toddlers. Sometimes I’ll use the toy to engage your child.
Does your child have a favorite bedtime book? Engaging in a favorite family ritual or pastime during your session will allow me to capture those real-life moments that you want to remember forever. Or maybe your family has a favorite outdoor activity like picking apples. Be sure to let me know when you are filling out my Questionnaire so that I can best tailor your session for your family!
Pictured above is the beautiful Mendez Family in and around their Durham home.
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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.