Family pictures are so important but can be so stressful. As a family of five, we have been on the other side of the lens and it can get intense.  Here are a few tips and tricks that we have learned to help you prepare for your family session!

Small Children: Small kids are so fun to photograph! They’re typically energetic and full of giggles if they are in a good mood. But like anyone they can get cranky if they’re hungry or tired. A great idea is to plan your session time after your childs nap so they’re fresh and ready. Bring snacks in case your child gets hungry or treats (that won’t stain fingers and tongues) to help them sit still during posed family shots. If your child has a favorite toy or something that makes them giggle, share that with me so I can incorporate behind the scenes to make the session fun for your child. Keep it light! Scolding typically leads to tears and/or strained smiles and stress for everyone.

Older Children: If your child brings a device like a phone or tablet to the session it’s a good idea to leave it in the car as it can be distracting if it’s in their pocket. Let them be involved in choosing their outfit so they are comfortable. Older kids can sometimes have a hard time “loosening up” for their shoot so it helps if they feel good in what they’re wearing. While we will do posed shots, I also like to capture the family dynamic so feel free to tickle, joke and be silly with your older kids! Try to make them laugh!

The Hot Mess Express: Kids of all ages can get boogies in their noses, have dirty faces or crazy hair! Try to check your children thoroughly to make sure their faces and noses are clear of anything you might not want showing up in your family pics. All photographs are professionally edited but you’ll make my job a lot easier if their faces are clean and ready to go! Bringing some wipes and a hairbrush is a great idea for last minute touch ups. Check your child during your shoot to make sure they’re still boogie free.  Of course, we will keep a lookout as well.

Adults: Preparing your family for a photo session can be stressful on both parents. Try to use the drive to your session as a time to lighten the mood. Listen to your favorite songs, play a game along the way or crack some jokes. If you’re not all happy in the pictures it shows!

We hope that these tips and tricks help you prepare for your family session!  Click here to see our full guide!  Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think!   We would love to be your family photographers. If would like more information about us being your photographers, or to see more of our work, check us out at afocusedlifephotography.com  We would love to hear from you.

Feel free to check out more of our blog and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!