Picture this, you walk into a friend’s living room and your eye is drawn to the happy family picture hanging over the mantel. And you’re thinking, That’s a great family portrait, I wish I had a picture just like that of my family! The portrait is light-filled; the family is smiling and their individual personalities are shining through. Are you ready to take the plunge and get a family portrait of your own? When is the last time your family was photographed together? Don't put it off, before you know it, the kids will be grown and out of the house. Schedule your family photography session today!
Here are a couple of tips for getting the most out of your family portrait session.
Eating and Nap Times
If you're planning a family session with kids, make sure that they not only have a full tummy before the shoot, but that you bring along some "un-messy" snacks such as Cheerios, apple juice, etc. I find small children tend to do better in the mornings but afternoons will work as long as they have had something to eat and a nap. Planning around naptimes is highly recommended, if not necessary with little ones!
Relax
I am not a traditional style photographer. My style of photography is fun, I like to engage the your family in activities that let their true personalities show through. I’m not there just to capture a see how they’ve grown image. I love goofy smiles, giggles, and silly faces. You may see me crawling on the ground, kidding around, and being silly and you'll end up with genuine expressions that capture your family's true personalities. Having said all that, I will of course, take a few more "posed" family pictures for the grandparents, (they love ‘em!) and usually some individual pictures as well. I mix it up a lot during a session and you typically have around 50 pictures in your gallery.
Clothing Suggestions
I think the most common question I'm asked is "what should we wear"? The answer depends on your family and the style of photo that you want. Do you want something candid and fun? Then you may want to consider something more casual and outdoorsy such as jeans and white or neutral shirts and bare feet. Not a fan of the "matchy-matchy" outfits? Then consider clothing for each family member that has the same tone, not necessarily the same color. As always, stripes, bold patterns, and large logos on your family's clothing will be a distraction from your family's beautiful faces. If you are unsure about your choices or how they will photograph, just give me a call. Many families choose to bring a change of clothes to mix things up a little, especially if they're planning for individual portraits of their children as well.
As always, if you have questions, post them in a comment here, or call the portrait studio.
