This year your family will undoubtedly have plenty of opportunities to take photos--perhaps for a slide show, an advertisement for fundraising purposes, or maybe even as a Christmas present to grandparents. Of course, it's always fun to capture memories with cameras, but capturing the perfect moment can be stressful at times. So read on to learn a few stress-free tips for family photoshoots to make your next experience fun and memorable!
Avoid picture day PITA's!
Doing a photo shoot with your family is no easy task, and so before you talk to the photographer, you need to do a little bit of prep. Start by choosing a day and time when your family can all accommodate and enjoy each other's company and create fun memories. If your teenager has to skip a friend's birthday party or your partner's missing the big game for family photos, they probably won't be too enthusiastic. Include the kids in the decision-making process; this helps ensure that there will be cooperation on consensus day. Remember that tone and mood matter, not just the posed pictures (a picturesque view at sunset or corn picking in autumn). Getting everyone on board helps you get started on the right foot and create memories your family will treasure.
The Big Day: Skipping the Denial and Going Directly to Happiness
Props: It's a classic trick that goes a long way. When you were a kid, adults always told you to "smile now" before the camera snapped, and your hands would cram your cheeks as though they were going to burst.
This may or may not have been the picture they were hoping for. However, as you grow up, it's probably escalated to jumping into each other's arms and yelling, "PEEPS! I'M HAVING A FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT FAMILY! DO ALL THESE FUN THINGS" You want everything to go perfectly. You don't want your child being dragged away from the camera by his siblings. You don't want your spouse pretending to care about taking a family photo while you try to hold it together, so everyone feels focused and ready for the hassle. But the beauty is, this isn't about perfection. It's not about picking one moment and expecting it never to happen again, so we better get it "right."
It's about celebrating your family. And what makes your love unique. Don't put expectations on everyone to smile at the camera for bribes. They're easily forgotten. Please bring your child's favorite stuffed animal or a favorite picture for your photographer to use to grab their attention. Don't tell them everything they CANT do during their photoshoot. But focus on the fun and what WILL happen.
Have fun and Relax!
Take your photoshoot into your own hands! What makes your family tick? What do you love? There are no rules for your photoshoot beside the ones you put on yourself. Love fishing? Head to the lake and bring your poles. Is your child a dancer? Make sure you have a speaker to blast their favorite tunes and get them in their happy place.
Make it about YOU. Not society's expectations for what family photos "should" be.
Schedule When your Kids are Happiest
Your photographer is going to want to shoot at golden hour. Period. Giving them free rein is ideal for capturing portraits with beautiful lighting and often picturesque sunsets and sunrises. However, if your child (or spouse) is at their crankiest for the hour before sunset, that's not going to be a good strategy for joyful, authentic photos celebrating your love. The key to capturing kids and managing their mood is preparation and organization. You might schedule your session for earlier in the day before any tantrums happen, or they have an opportunity to get into any mischief or just after lunch, when they're full and at their happiest. You know your family best. Schedule your photos around what works for them; a great photographer will work with the lighting and create beautiful portraits no matter the time of day.
At Meadowsweet Photo Company, I've combined my years of experience as a nanny and childcare provider (and mom!) to create a fun, stress-free, and memorable experience for my clients. Not only that, I capture beautiful memories to keep those memories alive 365 days of the year.
Schedule your next session today and have a photoshoot your family will look forward to.
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