5 Tips For Creating Stress Free Family Photos
I’m a Mama of two so believe me when I say…I understand how stressful it can be to bathe, groom, and convince your children to not act feral for one hour.
You may think I don’t struggle to get photos of my kids since I’m a photographer, but let me tell you…I absolutely do. I decided early in my photography journey that photos should not be an anxiety fest for anyone. It shouldn’t be an event that causes couples to fight as they’re rushing out the door in a hurry because they’ve planned these “perfect” photos and little Sally got dirt on her white tights 15 minutes before time to go so you’re now running late and ready to kill each other. Not here, nope. Here are my top tips for making family photos fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Have Realistic Expectations for the Developmental Age of Your Children
No one understands your child or their needs better than you. When considering booking family photos, choose a time slot that best accommodates the age and developmental needs of your child. If you have young children who may get tired or struggle keeping up on a one hour session, consider choosing a shorter session or mini option. This can be the perfect way to balance the needs you have for photos, but can also help keeping everyone happy and engaged. Just enough, but not too much. Plus, you can always ask your photographer if they allow additional time to be added on at the end of a session if needed.
Select A Comfortable Location
Choose a location for photos where you feel your best. Is everyone living their best life on vacation? No tantrums or sibling squabbles blaring in the background of the mini van? That’s your window of opportunity. Do you have a favorite park that your family has made special memories at? Parks are perfect for creating an environment that the entire family can enjoy so that your photographer can be an insightful observer, selecting the perfect moment to capture your best memories. Maybe you just pulled the RV into your favorite camping spot and are living out your dreams of freedom. There really are so many opportunities that often don’t cross our minds as “photo worthy” and those are missed opportunities to collect those memories and preserve them.
Take Them In Your Home
Seriously, you don’t even have to leave. It’s like Doordash, but instead of a late night snack, SURPRISE it’s me wheeling my gear in to document the real moments in your lives. The day your baby lost their first tooth. The day you first met your baby. Game Day. The season’s first snow. Managing to put together your children’s playset without getting divorced (IYKYK). Christmas Eve in your jammies. We just feel good at home and it’s somewhere that we collect some of our most fond memories. Break the rules, you do not have to opt for posed studio portraits unless that’s your vision. Take them in your garage. Or at your Grandma’s. Or at your local dive bar. Seriously, this is 2022 people and the options are limitless. Let’s make magic happen in the seasoned corners of your homes.
Have Your Photographer Pop Into A Family Event For Candids
This is a FAVORITE of mine. Events are a time where people’s minds are typically occupied by the event that’s unfolding. This results in the most perfectly organic candid photos and it allows you to be fully present in the moment without worrying about if it’s being documented. Aunt Karen with a flip phone probably isn’t the best source of trusted photos. Don’t let the diploma handoff be a blurred, streaky mess like our mascara will be when our babies walk across the stage. Maybe you’re celebrating a birthday, or hosting an anniversary dinner, or maybe it’s a Quinceañera, or a family reunion. Hiring a photographer drop into your life events for even just a short amount of time can be a perfect way to capture life and those we love.
Opt To Do An Activity
I love to offer the option of a nature walk on short trails within the local area for toddlers and preschool age children. It’s an option that keeps them engaged and entertained with the process. Go fishing with your family! Maybe you want to document wrapping up homeschool lessons for the year to showcase the physical and mental growth you’re celebrating. Real life is so worthy of lasting documentation. Are you plant shopping during spring blooms? Have your photographer tag along. It doesn’t have to be over complicated or overly thought out. Sometimes having our minds occupied on an activity allows us to show up fully present within the moment, reducing the amount of pressure related to being photographed. A little distraction pairs well for photo opportunities sometimes. Whatever your photo needs are, I promise there are options out there to (best) fit the needs of your family. You don’t have to fit into a box or work against normal circumstances. Everyone’s needs vary and that’s why it’s important to consider which of your photographer’s services best fits the needs of your family and time.
