5 Tips To Prepare You For Your Family Photos
Here are my top 5 tips to prepare you for your family photoshoot
Preview of tips for family photos:
- Choosing Outfits
- Mindset
- Inspiration + Planning
- Tips for Kids
- Embrace the Craziness
I know for parents planning your family photos can sometimes feel overwhelming. Getting everyone ready to go in one place — especially with multiple schedules is no small task. I want you to take the pressure off yourself and not worry about how the session will go. Sometimes me just capturing you all at home together can make for one of the best sessions. Here are my five best tips to fully prepare you for your family session.
1. Choosing Outfits for your Family Session
Figuring out what to wear can be kind of stressful, I get it! Outfits really can make or break your photos. Don’t be afraid to send your photographer (hi, me) a whole fashion show to find the perfect outfits. View my outfit inspo here for extra ideas: Family Outfit Pinterest Board linked HERE. Neutrals are always a safe color option for outfits as they photograph beautifully no matter what. Patterns aren’t always bad as long as they aren’t too distracting. Overall, wear what you feel best in.
Start with mom’s outfit first, then pull pieces for the kids that you love or that really feel “them.” You don’t have to buy anything new—mixing in a pattern or texture works great. Save dad’s outfit for last, keeping it neutral or complementary to tie everyone’s looks together.
2. Mindset
One of the best ways to show up for your family session is to let go of any stress or pressure to make everything “perfect”. Instead focusing on simply being present with your loved ones. Kids may be wiggly, hair may fall out of place, and that’s all part of the magic. What truly shines in your photos are the genuine connections—the laughter, hugs, and little moments in between. Take a deep breath before your session, remind yourself that this is about celebrating your family as you are right now. Trust that those natural interactions will create the most meaningful images.
3. Inspiration & Planning
Before your session, I encourage you to take a little time to reflect on what feels most meaningful for your family. These photos aren’t just about smiling at the camera, they’re about capturing who you are in this season of life. Think about why you want these images at this stage. It could be to remember your kids’ playful energy, celebrate the bond you share, or hold onto the little everyday moments that pass too quickly. I also love hearing about the small details that make your family unique. This could be the freckles you adore, the inside jokes, or the way you naturally wrap each other up in a hug. Sharing these things with me helps me create images that truly reflect the heart of your family in a way that feels so authentic. For each of my clients, I send out a questionnaire before our session to help find out what is meaningful for your family right now. My goal is to find out what you want documented during your photoshoot.
Your session can also include an activity that you all love to do together. We can go to the park, an ice cream trip, or day at the pool. Click here to see my blog post with list of family session ideas for a fun-filled session.
4. Tips for Kids
One of my favorite tips for family sessions is to let the kids take the lead. When children feel like they’re part of the process, the whole experience becomes more fun and natural for them—and for you, too. I’ll get down on their level, make sure they feel seen, and create a space where they can feel comfortable and trust me. Sometimes that means giving them little choices, like showing me something they love, or encouraging them to play and interact with you in ways that feel genuine. By giving them some control and freedom, the session stays engaging, and we’re able to capture those joyful, authentic moments that truly reflect your family.
5. Embrace the Craziness
A big tip I always share with families is to embrace the craziness and go with the flow during your session. Kids can be unpredictable—sometimes the outgoing ones suddenly turn shy, or the quiet ones surprise us with big bursts of energy. That’s totally normal! The best thing you can do is stay flexible and let the session evolve naturally. If we’re in a new location and your kids are still warming up to me and the camera, it helps to drop any strict expectations and just let things unfold. Even if the original plan doesn’t work out, we’ll still capture beautiful, authentic moments—often the unplanned ones end up being the most meaningful.
Wrapping Up
In summery, my best advice is to embrace the moment, the messiness, and be willing to laugh through the craziness—because that’s what makes the photos real and memorable. It can also help to have a little backup plan for the kids, like tucking away a favorite toy, bringing some fruit snacks, or promising ice cream after the session if it ends up being a tough day (which is completely normal!). I’ll guide you through the session from start to finish with prompts to keep everyone engaged, but above all, I want you to relax, enjoy each other, and simply be yourselves.
I’d love to help create a personalized session for you full of unforgettable moments for you and your family to remember this fleeting time for years to come. Fill out the contact form below to book your family session with me.
Here are my top 5 tips to prepare you for your family photoshoot
Preview of tips for family photos:
- Choosing Outfits
- Mindset
- Inspiration + Planning
- Tips for Kids
- Embrace the Craziness
I know for parents planning your family photos can sometimes feel overwhelming. Getting everyone ready to go in one place — especially with multiple schedules is no small task. I want you to take the pressure off yourself and not worry about how the session will go. Sometimes me just capturing you all at home together can make for one of the best sessions. Here are my five best tips to fully prepare you for your family session.
1. Choosing Outfits for your Family Session
Figuring out what to wear can be kind of stressful, I get it! Outfits really can make or break your photos. Don’t be afraid to send your photographer (hi, me) a whole fashion show to find the perfect outfits. View my outfit inspo here for extra ideas: Family Outfit Pinterest Board linked HERE. Neutrals are always a safe color option for outfits as they photograph beautifully no matter what. Patterns aren’t always bad as long as they aren’t too distracting. Overall, wear what you feel best in.
Start with mom’s outfit first, then pull pieces for the kids that you love or that really feel “them.” You don’t have to buy anything new—mixing in a pattern or texture works great. Save dad’s outfit for last, keeping it neutral or complementary to tie everyone’s looks together.
2. Mindset
One of the best ways to show up for your family session is to let go of any stress or pressure to make everything “perfect”. Instead focusing on simply being present with your loved ones. Kids may be wiggly, hair may fall out of place, and that’s all part of the magic. What truly shines in your photos are the genuine connections—the laughter, hugs, and little moments in between. Take a deep breath before your session, remind yourself that this is about celebrating your family as you are right now. Trust that those natural interactions will create the most meaningful images.
3. Inspiration & Planning
Before your session, I encourage you to take a little time to reflect on what feels most meaningful for your family. These photos aren’t just about smiling at the camera, they’re about capturing who you are in this season of life. Think about why you want these images at this stage. It could be to remember your kids’ playful energy, celebrate the bond you share, or hold onto the little everyday moments that pass too quickly. I also love hearing about the small details that make your family unique. This could be the freckles you adore, the inside jokes, or the way you naturally wrap each other up in a hug. Sharing these things with me helps me create images that truly reflect the heart of your family in a way that feels so authentic. For each of my clients, I send out a questionnaire before our session to help find out what is meaningful for your family right now. My goal is to find out what you want documented during your photoshoot.
Your session can also include an activity that you all love to do together. We can go to the park, an ice cream trip, or day at the pool. Click here to see my blog post with list of family session ideas for a fun-filled session.
4. Tips for Kids
One of my favorite tips for family sessions is to let the kids take the lead. When children feel like they’re part of the process, the whole experience becomes more fun and natural for them—and for you, too. I’ll get down on their level, make sure they feel seen, and create a space where they can feel comfortable and trust me. Sometimes that means giving them little choices, like showing me something they love, or encouraging them to play and interact with you in ways that feel genuine. By giving them some control and freedom, the session stays engaging, and we’re able to capture those joyful, authentic moments that truly reflect your family.
5. Embrace the Craziness
A big tip I always share with families is to embrace the craziness and go with the flow during your session. Kids can be unpredictable—sometimes the outgoing ones suddenly turn shy, or the quiet ones surprise us with big bursts of energy. That’s totally normal! The best thing you can do is stay flexible and let the session evolve naturally. If we’re in a new location and your kids are still warming up to me and the camera, it helps to drop any strict expectations and just let things unfold. Even if the original plan doesn’t work out, we’ll still capture beautiful, authentic moments—often the unplanned ones end up being the most meaningful.
Wrapping Up
In summery, my best advice is to embrace the moment, the messiness, and be willing to laugh through the craziness—because that’s what makes the photos real and memorable. It can also help to have a little backup plan for the kids, like tucking away a favorite toy, bringing some fruit snacks, or promising ice cream after the session if it ends up being a tough day (which is completely normal!). I’ll guide you through the session from start to finish with prompts to keep everyone engaged, but above all, I want you to relax, enjoy each other, and simply be yourselves.
I’d love to help create a personalized session for you full of unforgettable moments for you and your family to remember this fleeting time for years to come. Fill out the contact form below to book your family session with me.
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