Family Photos are usually stressful for one person…and if you’re reading this I’m guessing you’re that person. We try to take at least one professional family photo sesh a year. Even one can be a challenge for me, and I share photos and ideas for a living. My first and most VALUABLE piece of advice is to find a photographer with your similar style and a GOOD personality.
I’ve known Sarah from @sarahphotographykc (IG) for over a year now. We would chat at our local gym, and her personality was always contagious. She’s real…a Mom who isn’t afraid to tell ya how it is. When I found out about her photography business I immediately knew that she would capture our perfect family moments, and guess what? That is EXACTLY what she did!
Okay, once you’ve found your photographer your halfway there. Here are some tips on making family photo sessions a success!
1. Outfit planning // This is my favorite part of the entire process, until I get to my husband. (lol) I try to buy things for the girls that I know they will be able to wear again for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings. Ayla loves dressing up and Ayden loves what Ayla loves so…this year it may be a little more fun getting ready than last year. (Last year Ayden HATED wearing dresses & she’s also super stubborn…you can imagine the joy of prepping for pictures).
2. If the kids aren’t having fun then no-one is having fun // If you make your shoot more of an adventure than a chore, the kids will have a blast & your pictures will turn out WAY better than expected. We always play I-spy on the way to our photo shoot location & I also use incentives for good behavior. I should really just call it bribery, because that’s what it is. (haha) M&M’s & soda pop always do the trick, because it’s not every day that my girls get them.
3. Location is KEY // Depending on the outfits you choose and the weather, your location plays a big role in how your pictures will turn out. I like to go when the sun is in it’s ‘soft’ stage. I love taking photos outside, because you truly can’t beat the natural beauty of nature. With little ones, I try to choose somewhere close to the house so the drive time doesn’t kill the mood. I’ve learned you can find great places right in your back yard!
4. PINTEREST can help with that // Take 10 minutes to search for some family photo inspo! I just got on Pinterest and searched for family photo ideas. Maybe you like the pose in one photo, but the color or imagery in another. This is all helpful to your photographer.
5. Make it Fun // Sometimes we (as mama’s) get so hyped up for this, we forget to have fun! I mean, I’m usually thinking..okay fam, we are sending some of these images to over 250 people in a few short weeks so let’s get it together & actually look at the camera for a couple of these! Reality is, some of my favorite family pictures were impromptu. Last year, Ayden didn’t want to stand so Ayla sat down beside her & they laughed about it. Nate and I decided to just roll with it & one of my favorite photos was snapped because of my stubborn 4 year old.
*Always a good idea to LOVE both a vertical & horizontal image before you load the family up and call it a day, for Holiday Card options of course.
Hope this helps when planning your family photo shoot! Thanks for stopping by!
xox – Karlie
Photography by Sarah Marie Fentiman Photography. Find her on IG @sarahphotographykc