How To Prepare For Your Family Photo Session
Learn how to prepare for your family photo session to get amazing images you can cherish forever
Family Photo Sessions
As a Charleston SC portrait photographer, I have witnessed the stress and chaos that can often accompany preparing for a family photo session. However, with proper planning and preparation, the family photo session can be a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the steps to ensure that you and your family are well-prepared for your upcoming photo session. When all is said and done, any stresses you have about the session will melt away.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Photographer
Regardless of what type of photo session you’re having, the most critical step of the entire process is choosing the right photographer. You will hear me talk about this all the time. Before becoming a photographer, I personally experienced the dark side of photography. That’s right, I was scammed by a photographer and lost $2,500. I understand and appreciate the fears, concerns, and stresses that come with finding the right photographer. Especially in this day and age. Thanks to cell phones and social media, everyone thinks they’re a photographer. Some even go as far as creating free Facebook business pages and posturing themselves as “professionals.” I believe this is a big reason why we have seen photographer scams rise significantly over the past 10 or so years.
There’s no doubt your family photo session is important to you. I’m sure you’re wondering how you go about finding the right photographer for your family. After all, you will need a photographer that works well with everyone in the family - parents, children (sometimes even young children), possibly grandparents, etc.
When it comes to choosing a photographer there aren’t any guarantees, but there are some steps you can take to mitigate the chances of choosing the wrong photographer.
Don’t Google “How To Choose A Photographer”
Whenever we need to have a question answered or find information, we frequently turn to Google. It’s not always a bad idea, but when it comes to finding a photographer, it’s often the worst thing you can do. If you turn to Google for advice on how to choose a photographer, the information you find generally leads you down the wrong path. I won’t go into great detail explaining why in this article, but I will highlight the main reason:
“Don’t worry about how a photographer DEFINES their photography style. Look at their photos with a keen eye so you can determine if their style is right for YOU.”
I know what you’re thinking. “But Jeff, I’m not a photographer. I have no idea what to look for.” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! How a photographer “defines” their style tells you absolutely nothing about how their photos will look. Even photographers with the exact same photography style will produce different looking images. As photographers, we all experience and see the world differently; therefore, we capture it differently too. So, what should you look for?
Composition - how do their photos look? Do they compose or frame them in a way that’s visually interesting? Do they simplify their images and make it clear what the subject is? Or do they try to add a lot of various items in their photographs drawing your attention away from the subject?
Lighting - You don’t need to be a lighting expert here, but do their photos appear to use light well? Avoid any photographer that tells you they only use natural light. Using natural light can be a great way to create beautiful looking images; however, there are many situations in which natural light won’t work and certainly won’t produce the best looking image. Choose a photographer that is skilled in both natural light and using artificial light sources. A photographer skilled in using artificial sources will be able to create images that are perfectly lit without making it look obvious they used flash or some other form of lighting.
Editing - How does the photographer appear to edit their photos? Do the people in their images look real or have they over edited their skin to the point they look like mannequins? Do the colors in their photos “pop” and appear vivid or have they crossed over to nuclear? Are the colors in their skies beautiful and natural or do they look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie?
Expressions - This is one of the most important considerations. Good photographers are skilled at getting natural expressions from their subjects. So, how do the people in the photos look? Do they appear relaxed and natural? Or they appear hesitant and fearful? Do they look stiff?
Posing - I always hate using the word “pose” because it comes with a negative connotation. Perhaps the word “arrange” would be better suited, but how are the people in the photos posed? Does it appear natural? Or does it appear contrived? Ask photographers that you’re considering for their philosophy on posing. For example, I believe posing should be natural and how I achieve this is by using a “guiding” approach. I “guide” you into arrangements through verbal cues and let you naturally find the position. If something looks awkward or won’t work well in the photo, I will give a little more verbal guidance. In most cases, this resolves any issues. If you prefer more guidance, then I can take a little more of a hands-on approach.
These simple steps make it quick and easy to determine whether a photographer is worth considering for your family photo session. It provides an objective and straight forward approach to evaluating whether a particular photographer’s style is right for you.
While this is a great way to ensure you choose a photographer with a style that you like, it’s only the beginning. The biggest attribute you will need to consider is their personality. Your photographer will need to have a fun, friendly, and professional personality that puts everyone at ease and is someone you can relate to. Once you find this, you have struck gold!
Step 2: Setting Expectations
Once you have decided on a photographer, the next step is to communicate your expectations and vision for the session. Discuss locations, themes, and any specific shots or poses that you have in mind. This will ensure that the photographer understands your vision and can plan accordingly.
This is pretty straight forward, but let me share a few “Pro Tips” with you.
Locations - When considering locations for your family photo session, a good place to begin is with locations that have a special meaning to you and your family. Maybe it’s a place that’s somehow tied to your engagement or wedding. Or perhaps it’s where you told your partner you were pregnant. But there are other considerations. These sessions are typically about 60 minutes in length, so I do encourage you to consider locations that offer a lot of variety. Parks often make excellent choices because they have gardens, bridges, staircases, various backdrops, etc. In a short period of time, you can create a lot of different types of images.
Themes - Having a theme can be a fun way to add interest to your family photo session, but sometimes themes can actually detract from your photos. For example, a popular theme is for everyone to dress in white shirts and blue jeans. Unfortunately, when everyone dresses in the same style or colors, your photos lose interest. Having all white shirts and blue jeans will cause your images to lack depth, texture, and dimension. Instead, choose themes or attire that compliment one another, but avoid them becoming “matchy-matchy.”
Shot Lists - Prior to having a photo session, many people will research “poses” or “arrangements” to include in their photographs. This has always been a big thing in wedding photography. Couples would go on sites like Pinterest and literally print off a packet of poses and then ask their photographer to re-create them on the wedding day. I’m not picking on Pinterest. Sites like this can be great when used for inspiration, not replication. It’s important to remember that you chose your photographer for their expertise and creative vision. If you want them to re-create the work of another photographer, then you should hire that photographer. If you want to pick out a pose or two that you really like, then share that with your photographer. I’m sure they will be more than happy to help you with those specific pictures. After that, let them use their creative vision to create images that are just as beautiful and unique to your specific location.
Step 3: Wardrobe Selection
Selecting the right wardrobe can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your family photos. It’s important that everyone wears something that makes them feel comfortable, but comfortable does not include sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc. Believe me, it happens. I once had a groom-to-be show up for his engagement session in black running pants with white stripes up the sides. It only got better from there, but that’s a story for another day. There are some golden rules to follow when it comes to selecting your family photo session attire:
Avoid Cloting That Is Too Tight - Tight fitting clothing is rarely comfortable and it’s not flattering in photos. Usually these sessions involve at least some walking around and tight clothing can be very restrictive.
Avoid Clothing That Is Too Loose - Loose clothing may be comfortable, but again, it’s definitely not flattering in photos and it looks sloppy
Avoid Clothing With Large Logos - Attire with large logos will create a distraction and degrade your pictures
Avoid Clothing With Patterns - Stay away from clothing with patterns. This too will create a distraction and degrade your images. Depending the type of pattern, it can often cause a strange visual abnormality.
Avoid Super Bright Or Neon Colors - Clothing that is super bright or has neon characteristics will cause color casts on hair and skin, and this can’t be removed in Photoshop.
Avoid “Matchy-Matchy” - We already touched on this earlier in the article, but avoid wearing matching outfits as this will cause your images to lack depth, texture, and dimension.
Maintain Same Level Of “Dressyness” - Make sure everyone in the photo is dressed in the same level of “dressyness.” When your outfits don’t align, it creates an obvious disconnect in the images and becomes very distracting. This often happens between men and women in photographs. Not to pick on the guys here, but the ladies will wear a pretty dress with pretty shoes. The guys wear a nice shirt and pants, and then throw on a pair of sneakers.
Wear Complimentary Colors - While it’s best to avoid wearing the same color scheme - white shirts and blue jeans - wear attire and colors that are complimentary. This will make your photos “pop” and it will give them the depth, texture, and dimension that we are trying create.
Use Accessories To Add Interest - By eliminating attire with bright colors, patterns, etc., don’t think your attire needs to be boring. A great way to add some color and interest to your images is by using accessories. This can include jewelry (necklace, earrings, rings, bracelets, watches, etc.), scarves, shoes, belts, etc.
Step 4: Planning the Details
In the weeks leading up to the photo session, set some time aside to plan out all the details. This includes scheduling haircuts, manicures, or any other grooming appointments. Additionally, consider any props or accessories that you may want to incorporate into the photos, such as blankets, toys, or sentimental items. When considering props in your family photo session, remember the expression less is more. Ultimately, a family photo session is about you and your family. It’s not about the props. While they may hold a special meaning, you don’t want your photos becoming distracting and taking the focus away from your family. Avoid clutter and go for simplicity.
Step 5: Preparing the Kids
If you have young children, it is crucial to prepare them for the photo session. Talk to them about the upcoming shoot, and try to get them excited about it. Use your cell phone to practice at home. Avoid using phrases like “say cheese” in an attempt to get them to smile. Instead, say something funny that gets them to laugh. It could be something from their favorite cartoon, TV show, or book.
During a session, I will keep the kids engaged by asking them questions. Of course, I will focus my questions based on the time of the year. If it’s summer, I might ask them if they like to swim. I might follow it up with asking them if they like to do cannon balls in the pool and make a big splash. This usually get a big smile as they think about doing it. Around Halloween, I ask them if they are going to dress up and what they want to be. I can then make funny little comments about it which keeps their smiles going. This approach tends to work very well with kids.
On the day of your family photo session, consider bringing along their favorite snacks or toys to keep them engaged and cooperative during the shoot. If you’re like most parents, you will feel nervous and anxious if your child isn’t cooperating. And I can guarantee you that at some point, they won’t. Their age will play a big role in their attention span and they often become easily distracted. This will cause you to try to get your child to “behave” or become more engaged in the photo session.
Avoid this at all costs!
Let your photographer or their assistant worry about getting your child’s/children’s focus. Once they are tuned into your photographer, they are going to snap away. All too often, parents panic and try to get their child to look at the camera. This tends to make the child even less engaged and if by chance you manage to get them to look at the camera - now you aren’t. Photographers, with any experience with kids, fully understands it’s going to take some work to get their interest. Do your best to relax and keep looking at the camera. Your photographer will take care of the rest.
Step 6: Rest and Relaxation
In the days leading up to the photo session, prioritize rest and relaxation for the entire family. A well-rested and stress-free family will be more cooperative and energetic during the shoot, leading to better outcomes in the photos. It’s also a good idea that no one arrives hungry or thirsty to the session. This can cause grumpy moods and a loss of focus. Make sure everyone has at least a little something to eat prior to the session. And again, be sure to bring some snacks just in case anyone needs a little boost.
Step 7: Arrival and Participation
On the day of the photo session, arrive early to the location to allow time for any last-minute touch-ups or adjustments. Encourage active participation and engagement from all family members during the shoot, and trust the photographer to capture genuine and authentic moments.
Conclusion - Enjoy the Experience
I hope you’ve enjoyed these 7 amazing tips to ensure a great family photo session. Remember to enjoy the experience! Family photo sessions provide an opportunity to capture precious moments and create lasting memories. Relax, have fun, and trust in the expertise of your chosen photographer to deliver beautiful and timeless images.
By following these steps and properly preparing for your family photo session, you can ensure that the experience is stress-free and enjoyable for everyone involved. With careful planning and communication, you will be able to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
If you have any questions or would like more information about Magnolia Photography SC, please feel free to reach out!
