How to get a no stress family photo session
A family photo session is an investment in time, energy and money. You want to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck with fantastic photos of your family without frustration or stress. Together, we can make this a reality. I do everything I can to make your photo session as enjoyable as possible; prepping you ahead of time, keeping the mood light, moving as quickly as practical between groupings, helping you with print decisions after the session. There’s a few things that you can do with your kids to make sure our photo shoot runs smoothly, and it mostly starts with managing expectations.
Check YOUR expectations
The first way to get the best results from your kids is to check your own expectations. Don’t stress about their behaviour – I’ve seen it all, no judgments here! I understand that some kids have a harder time following instructions than others, and through years of experience I’ve learned a range of “tricks” to encourage cooperation from all kinds of personalities. Also along those lines, you don’t need to worry if they’re looking at the camera, smiling, etc. It’s my job to direct. Yours is to cuddle, hug, connect with your kids. I can’t tell you how many shots have been missed because mum or dad was checking to see if their child was doing the right thing. Looking at them lovingly is one thing, the side-eye “check up” is actually not helpful!
Set the kids expectations
Once your expectations are in check, make sure you get the kids on the same page. There are some things that apply no matter their age.
Kids like to know why they are doing things; so explain your goal for the session – some pictures to display on the wall, a gift for grandma, to mark a particular milestone (special birthday, graduation, etc), christmas cards,…
Please let them know that I like to hear their ideas for photos, perhaps a grouping of people that they want, or a place to sit that takes their fancy, or a particular pose or set-up. We might not be able to do it all, but it’s always worth asking. Sometimes I’ll give it a try and then if we realize it’s a bust we move on. Sometimes with experience I can tell you (them) why it wont’ work – I’ll explain it, and move on. Sometimes we’ll try it and it’s great and the kids feel great that their suggestion was so successful.
While I do want to encourage their ideas and self-expression, this is a group activity and so sometimes they need to listen to my directions. Some kids need to hear that following my direction is the fastest way to move on to something else that they might like better.
Children don’t have to “put on” a smile all the time. (Parents think that they want all smiley pictures of their kids, but often a resting neutral face can be just as endearing.) Typically, with conversation or prompts I can elicit genuine smiles, which are so much better than a plastered on “cheese” grin. (I’m often a bit of a goofball.) The corollary to this is that they don’t have to look at the camera all the time. I will direct them when I specifically want them too.
Some kids may have concerns about the session, social anxieties, sensory sensitivities etc, reassure them that you’ve addressed them with me (just make sure you have!) For example, I’ve worked with a young boy who really didn’t like flashes, so I didn’t use it. When I met him for the first time, I let him know that I knew. Each subsequent time I worked with him, I reminded him that I knew and we were able to make terrific portraits together. Mum was near tears when she saw them, because she had so few photos of her darling boy because of this sensitivity.
Notes for younger kids
A couple of notes particularly for young kids (i.e. preschool and elementary school ages) –
Tell the kids that the session will NOT be just sitting around, being still and smiling (see note above). We are going to MOVE! a) I understand that this age group won’t want to sit still for too long. b) We’ll be regrouping frequently so that you get a variety of images c) Playful, candid images are often the best expression of your child’s personality and d) Most importantly, I want the kids to have fun! I have a range of games up my sleeve to prompt movement and laughter. If we’re meeting somewhere with a playground we’ll get some action shots there. If you’d like we can incorporate a more intentional activity into the session, like blowing bubbles, kicking a ball, hula hoops etc.
Please make sure your kids are physically comfortable. In younger children, it’s most likely you will be picking out their outfit for the session. You may even have purchased something new to achieve a certain look you have in mind (certainly not necessary, but some like to do this). Have your child try on the outfit ahead of time to check for itchy tags, pinchy waistbands, etc. We will NOT get your child’s best if they’re constantly bothered by that tag poking at their neck. Along with external comfort, check internal comfort – bathroom needs, snacks, water etc., is all taken care of also.
Working with Teens
Clothing comfort is also important for teens, but in a different way. They need to be happy with how they look in their outfit. Give them guidance on what you’d like them to wear, let them pick a couple of options and have them run it by you ahead of time. Actually trying on the outfit ahead of time is also important because teens grow so fast, you want to make sure they haven’t outgrown something and not realized it.
Please encourage them to ask for photos that they want, especially their solo portraits. Any parent of a teen knows that opinions tend to be strong in this crowd, so let’s hear them (constructively!) I always make sure to get some basic “parental pleaser” shots, so let’s let them be creative with some of their own suggestions. They might surprise you!
The most common worry with teens is pimples. Please reassure them that retouching acne is a super easy fix, which I will always do on final images. So, if they have a breakout the night before our session, it’s not a big deal.
Other appearance suggestions
Most of this advice goes for adults too, but I’ll include it here for completeness.
Hair should be clean and styled in a typical way (this is not the time to try a new style for the first time – a test drive before the session is a must. If kids are fussing about their hair, they won’t relax). If a trim is happening, make sure it’s at least a few days before the session to make sure it has settled.
Nails should be trimmed, either bare or freshly polished – no one likes chipped nails.
For teens that wear makeup – just like their hair, keep it typical. This is also not the time to try out a new makeup look for the first time – practice first. Styling should be an everyday or a little special, but not a full on special occasion glamour look.
Of course, if you or the kids have any questions in the days leading up to your family photo shoot, I’m always here to provide guidance.
