Behind the Lens: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Family Photoshoot
I think we’ve all been there, when we book a photoshoot and are so excited to make those perfect memories. But then the kids don’t want to get ready, one of them can’t find their shoe, your husband hates his outfit, they’re hungry, you’re running 5 (or 15) minutes behind, and the constant noise in the car as you’re speeding along makes your left eyeball twitch when you finally arrive for the ‘perfect’ moment to capture; only it’s not so perfect anymore. Here I’m going to share with you exactly how to change that, with small and easy changes, to ensure you actually are capturing the perfect moment.
Let Go of Expectations
Every photographer I know asks for a Pinterest board of your photography inspiration. Try to let it be just that: inspiration. As a photographer, we look through these pins for details, what is it that draws you to these images. We look at the lighting you’re drawn to, whether it’s mid-day strong contrasty sun or hazy sunsets. We also look at the backgrounds, are you mostly drawn to dense trees, open grassy fields, or tall fields of flowers, what in the background you gravitate towards. We’re looking at the people in the images. Are you drawn to emotional images, fun and playful images, serious images or posed images? An experienced photographer looks at all of these to get an overall sense of your likes and desires for your session, but we are not holding onto a specific image to recreate. Try to let go of the idea of that one perfect image or pose to copy and instead embrace the idea that your session will be unique to your family.
Letting go of expectations allows us the freedom to enjoy the moment for what it is, and those moments look like this.
Decide What you Want to Do with Your Photos
Not all photographers have the same mindset for their images. Some photographers, typically the newer and ‘cheaper’ ones, are putting out content for social media. They are shooting Instagrammable scenes and scenarios that probably wouldn’t be something you’d hang on a wall in your home. Others, often times at the highest of price points, are shooting specifically to print large wall art to hang in your space. So, before you put any work into finding a photographer, first decide what these images are for. Are you planning to post them on social media and only look at them once a year when they pop up in your memories? A new Instagram photographer who delivers 150 images would be best for you. Are you wanting to hang a large portrait on your mantle or build a set of 12x12 matted frames for a gallery wall? There are photographers who specialize in exactly this and charge per image, when you likely would not want 50 12x12 portraits. Once you decide what you want to have these images for, you can set a budget and start photographer shopping.
Hire the Right Photographer
I have seen so many posts that read like this: “Looking for a photographer for family photos that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.” I can say I’ve most likely posted something like this myself in my earlier years. But when you hire a photographer that only costs a pinky finger, you’re trading experience for the sake of saving a hundred dollars. What you end up getting when you make this trade are often images that are lifeless and flat, because those young photographers don’t have the experience and knowledge of how to create the interactions you’re wanting to capture. And then you spent $150 on images you may look at once or twice and then never look at again.
Instead try this: search through your local photographers’ portfolios specifically for what you want to remember about your family in this time. Are you trying to emulate fun, wild, and moving images, capturing your childrens’ chaos while they still have it? If so, find a photographer who specializes in lifestyle images. Are you looking for perfectly posed, perfectly styled, everyone is looking at the camera and evenly lit kind of imagery? Find an off-camera flash photographer. Before you inquire about pricing, first find the photographers that you truly connect with who have shown that they shoot in the style you’re wanting to create.
Color grading and face swap editing are important parts of the editing process when working with young children or pets.
Things to ask your photographer before booking:
Do you assist with styling beforehand?
What does a session typically involve: do you prompt or pose?
How do you approach photographing people who are awkward in photos?
How many images do you deliver and in what format are these images provided?
How long do your clients typically wait before delivery of the images?
Are there limitations on the images you deliver (sizing, usage rights, printing)?
Do I get to pick my images or do you pick them for me?
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy? What happens if the weather isn’t cooperative?
Do you take editing requests/do you charge for additional editing requests? Are you able to do complicated edits such as faceswaps? Do you include blemish removal?
Will I have the option to purchase additional prints or digitals after the session?
Plan Ahead
Book in Advance
Give yourself enough time in advance to adequately plan. You’ll need to find outfits for the family, which takes time (unless you’re a stylista with a massive closet and a perfect fashion sense and already have an outfit for every occasion- then you’re probably good… but I suspect you’d still go buy new outfits). Booking a month or more in advance allows you to order, try on, return and reorder outfits as needed, and can make the experience a lot less stressful. Waiting to the week before your session to go find ‘the perfect’ outfits in 6 different dressing rooms with terrible overhead florescent lighting is a panic attack just waiting to happen. So instead, give yourself time and opt for ordering from home.
Choosing the Right Location
This may not be obvious. Choosing the right location is perhaps one of the most important parts of a successful family session. Afterall it will be 40-80% of each image you receive. Select a location that reflects your family's personality and interests, whether it's a park, beach, or urban setting. It’s important that the location you choose looks like somewhere that you would normally visit. If your family enjoys flying kites at the park, the park would be an ideal spot. If you are avid hikers, a forest or hill overlooking a mountain would be preferable. If you love living in the desert, a desertscape could be the perfect fit for you. If you love shopping on Saturdays, downtown or an ice cream parlor could be ideal. When selecting a location, consider the amount of people that may be in the background of your images, whether or not it is a safe location for children to play, and, if bringing pets, if pets are allowed at the location you prefer. Your photographer, if they cost more than a pinky finger, should have some locations to suggest that may fit your family’s personality.
Incorporate Pets
If you have pets, consider including them in the photoshoot as well. Pets are beloved members of the family and can add an extra layer of warmth and personality to your photos. Most photographers love capturing families alongside their pets. Things to remember for your pet: bring a leash and extra water if they are excitable and consider treats to encourage positive behavior.
Choosing the Right Outfits
Once you have your photographer secured, your photographer should work with you to pick a location and help style your family in a manner that is fashionable but also a reflection of you. One helpful tip when dressing the younger kids- let them help pick out their outfits and props! By allowing them a voice, they are more invested and will be more cooperative when the time comes for them to get dressed. I also recommend not letting the children wear this special outfit beforehand and hyping them up for when they finally get to wear it. They will be looking forward to this special event and much more likely to enjoy the session when it’s time. Many photographers have style guides or blog posts to help guide you in what to wear by season, ask if your photographer has one, or if they have any recommendations.
Plan to Bring Props
If you sometimes feel awkward in photos, there are some activities you can plan in order to capture the authentic moments while not feeling like you don’t know what to do with yourself. Sometimes these are the best icebreakers to get your family feeling less like you’re taking portraits and more like you’re having fun. Plan for these activities to take up a small portion of the session, maybe 15 minutes or so, which will allow us to also capture more candid images as well. Possible prop/activity ideas include:
Fly a kite
Bring flowers to smell and play with
Have a picnic
Blowing bubbles
Go fishing
Play musical instruments
Outdoor games (Jenga, jump rope, roller skating)
Storytime- reading books
Painting
Bring a blanket and make shapes of the clouds
Bring favorite stuffed animals or small toys for children to hold, such as a matchbox car
Prepare the Kids
Hopefully you read the tip above about incorporating the kids in outfit selections to garner some excitement about the photo session. Also asking if they’d like to help plan an activity for the session can help them feel included and excited for this new “family date day.” I say “family date day” because that’s how you should sell this idea to them. Kids give exactly zero poops about taking photos, and if you’re a mom who takes a ton, they may even dread this idea. Instead, sell the session as more of a “date” than a photoshoot. Talk it up—tell them how much fun it will be, the fun things they will be doing, and get them excited for this adventure. I do not recommend telling them, “If you’re good, afterwards I’ll take you for ice-cream.” We bribe our children to get them to do difficult things, like get shots, or sit quietly in a boring room. Instead, try not to send them the message that this will be difficult or boring by bribing them, but get them excited for the experience to come by letting them help plan the perfect family day.
The Day Of
The day of, it’s incredibly important to remain as stress free as possible. If you prepare for the session in the morning by prepacking snacks and water, the props you plan to use, and setting aside outfits, there is a lot less hectic scrambling when your session is near. Don’t forget shoes!
If your children are of napping age, playing with them in the morning to ensure they’re tired enough come nap time to get solid rest can help them go down on time for a nap.
Speaking of napping, even older kids can get rowdy during a session. Try to relax and let things slide during the session. Sometimes as parents we try to keep our children in line in front of strangers, but don’t forget that the wild chaos of childhood is exactly what we’re here to capture, and I’m not some stranger that’s going to make a snide remark. I’ll be down on the ground egging them on in their play, so get down on the ground with me and cut loose and just play for an hour. It’s all they want, and really, it’s all you want, too.