How to Prepare for Your Family Photoshoot
If you’re here then you’ve probably booked a family photoshoot and you’re looking for tips to make it go smoothly!! Well, look no further cause I gotchu!
Here’s the list of my tips and then I’ll go in depth on each point!
Consider what time of day works best for your family
Location matters — choose somewhere not too far from home
Location matters a LOT — choose a location that works for your kids
Outfits: comfort is key
Discipline vs bribing during photoshoots
Food and sleep
Relax and have fun!
I want to preface this post with this: do what works for your family. Every family is different and only you know what will work best for you and your kids. This is just what I’ve noticed works best and I wanted to make sure I passed along every possible thing that could help you make your family photoshoot the absolute best it could be!
SO! Here we go!! I’ll jump right in to number one.
Consider what time of day works best for your family
Are your kids still napping? Consider timing your photoshoot soon after they wake in the morning or soon after they typically wake from their nap. You want them rested, not ready for sleep! For small children, usually as close to sunrise as possible works best for everyone’s attitudes/energy levels as well as lighting! If your kids are a bit older, evening before the sunset could work well with dinner following the photoshoot!
Location matters — choose somewhere not too far from home
I know it’s tempting to choose a spot that’s super epic and maybe a bit of a drive from your home. But the last thing you want is kids cranky from being in the car for hours. If you do choose a location that’s further here’s my tip: get to the general area of the photoshoot early and get a bite to eat and get some wiggles out. Getting there early also helps you account for any traffic that might make you late - you don’t want to be stressed when you get there!
Location matters a LOT — choose a location that works for your kids
Consider the terrain and the surrounding areas of the photoshoot location. Is there room to run and play? Will your kids be excited to be there and explore? Is there a busy road nearby? Basically, will you be stressed trying to keep your kids out of trouble? You want a location that offers some room to roam and explore without any major dangers (ie:cliffs or busy roads.) I’ve found that parks, beaches, and trails tend to be the best for younger children and keep everyone relaxed and having fun.
Outfits: comfort is key
I have another post about exactly how to coordinate colors and patterns for family photoshoots but this tip is really focused on how your outfits can serve you during your photoshoot. You want to be able to run without a nip slip moment and play with no reservations. And your kids, especially, should be as comfortable as possible. Happy kids make for great photos! Would you rather super stiff looking photos with everyone wearing their fancy clothes? Or would you rather authentic and real portraits of what everyday family life looks for you?
Bribes
I generally recommend holding off discipline and/or consequences during photoshoots. I know it might throw off your parenting but it’s just for a couple hours so hear me out here. You wanna talk up this time to your kids. Make them know that this is a time for fun, cuddles, and exploring. Everything about it should be positive so that they know to expect a good time. If a kid does something crazy you can definitely address it but I recommend holding off on any discipline until after the shoot. And I always love when parents have a good bribe waiting. Ice cream or cookies or something similar at the end of a photoshoot is a great tool to use during a photoshoot to encourage good behavior!
Food and sleep
Make sure your kids are rested and fed beforehand! If they had a rough night or a rough nap, no worries, it happens! If they’re not too rested, make sure you LOAD EM UP with food!! (but not sugar — the crash after the high is not worth it lol) The extra calories will help carry them through their tiredness!
Relax and have fun!
There are so many moving parts, I get it! It’s hard to relax! But the more relaxed you are, the better the photos will be, I promise. Unscripted and authentic family photos are my all time favorite! When kids truly feel free to run and play, that’s where the magic happens!!
