We'd be lying if we said family photos are never stressful…but with the right ingredients, it can be easily avoided! Here are a few sure-fire solutions that have worked well for our clients in a family session. We hope they help you as well.

The key is to plan in advance and know what to expect so that on the day of your session, you can be present and fully enjoy the time with your family! Our clients often tell us that they had no idea their family session could be so fun, and we want you to feel that way too!

Here are our Top 12 Tips to a Drama-Free Family Session #you’rewelcome:

1) MATTERS OF THE HEART.

It may sound cliché, but after all, the love for your family is probably the reason you wanted family photos in the first place! In the end, it’s not about what clothes you wore, or what location you chose, or the activities you planned. It’s about capturing life as it is right now. It’s about snuggling, tickling, and playing. It’s about showing your children how much you love them so they can share these memories years down the road.

2) OVERPLANNING IS OVERRATED.

Nothing spoils a child’s good mood (or dad’s for that matter) faster than too many clothing changes, too many locations, and too many props. We know it’s tempting to get caught up in those perfect Pinterest photos, but the best images happen candidly as a result of your genuine family dynamic. When we’re not working off of a checklist, we’ll have more time to create organic images that you’ll love.

3) THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM.

On the day of the session, plan to leave an hour earlier than anticipated (especially if this is your first time having professional portraits taken). The time we’ve chosen for your session is very specific for lighting reasons, and arriving on time will set us up for great success. Arriving at your session early (at least 30 minutes beforehand) will allow time to find parking, make any last-minute clothing adjustments, and find our meeting spot. If you know you tend to run late, we would even recommend getting there an hour ahead of time. Arriving early is the most helpful thing you can do for a smooth session!

4) KIDS WILL BE KIDS — NO MATTER WHAT!

All professional family photographers have seen their fair share of meltdowns, and we work through them every time! Please don’t get mad at your kids if they’re “not behaving.” The best thing you can do is think happy thoughts and let us interact with them naturally. A great image only takes a millisecond to capture, so we’re probably getting a lot more material than you think! Kids (and even babies) will be themselves, so laugh it off and know that happier moments are soon to come. Sometimes, that temper tantrum ends up becoming a hilarious image that you’ll cherish.

5) DON’T MATCH...COORDINATE.

There’s nothing more stressful than trying to get out the door and realizing you have nothing to wear. Plan your outfits well in advance so that you’ll know if something doesn’t fit or needs ironing. Choose outfits that will accentuate your family’s style however, whatever you do, stay away from matching. This is not a real-life expression of your family.

6) RELAX…

If you can, don’t schedule any activities for the kids that day. Give yourselves time to relax prior to your shoot. This way you can save your energy for later!

7) ADVENTURE TIME.

Instead of telling your kids that they’re going to have their pictures taken, tell them that we’re going to have an adventure, and go play with Mr. Jason and Mrs. Alejandra. It’s the truth!

8) HAVE A DRINK!

No, not a juice box…We mean a real drink! Dad, We’re looking at you! 😉 If you get nervous in front of the camera, one drink can go a long way to help you relax and have fun (as long as you’re not driving!)

9) NAPS + SNACKS

Speaking of juice boxes: well-rested, well-fed kiddos are a must! Make sure everyone gets a great nap and a good meal before the session. This is important for all parties involved.

10) BRING A BRIBE.

A lollipop, favorite toy, or trip for ice cream can make a huge difference in attitude! Just make sure to save it until after the session — once the bribe comes out, it’s really hard to put it away without tears.

11) CHECKS AND BALANCES

Here’s a simple checklist to make sure you’re ready with everything you need:

comfy walking shoes
something to sit on (blanket/quilt)
backup clothing (dirt/spit-up/food happens!)
lint roller if you have pets
your child’s favorite toy
food & water for snack breaks
keys/phones/wallets out of pockets
kids’ noses and eyes wiped
clothing ironed

12) TRUST THE PROCESS

On the day of the session, it’s normal to be nervous (it means you care!). But the best way to love your images is to let go of those nerves and trust in the photographers you hired. Know that you’ve planned and prepared to the best of your ability, and now your photographers are here to execute your vision. For a couple of hours, you don’t have to be the one to make all the decisions… enjoy it while you can!

Hopefully, these 12 tips help answer any questions you might have about our lifestyle shoot methods and alleviate any “fear” of trying something new! Our clients tend to start a little nervous and always end up saying, “that was SO fun.” And when they see the final product: “oh my gosh, I LOVE these!” We know you’ll say so, too.

We look forward to working with you!