Next weekend we’re headed to our fourth family photoshoot with our favorite family photographer. (Family and friends–if you’re in the Twin Cities, we can’t recommend Lauren Kirkbride Photography enough!) After a few years of wrangling littles for a family photo (or ten), Eric and I have some tips about how best to prepare… and how to adjust our expectations versus taking photos with just us.
How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session
- Be aware of the turnaround time for photo processing. Book your session well in advance of when you need the photos for gifts or Christmas cards.
- Be realistic about how long your kids will last. We’ve found that when we book hour-long sessions, our kids are done with photos after 35-40 minutes. This year, we booked a mini session of 25 minutes instead.
- Plan your packing list the morning or night before. We’ve found that you need to bring a lot of different supplies to a photoshoot, so don’t leave it until an hour beforehand. Things we usually pack include:
- A change of clothes for each child (in addition to the usual diaper bag supplies)
- Extra layers, for fall/winter photo sessions
- Any favorite stuffies or toys that are soothing or would be missed
- Rugged shoes, if the photo session is outdoors (your photographer might suggest taking photos in a wet, muddy or snowy area)
- A portable kid potty and a trash bag, if there aren’t going to be bathrooms nearby
- Snacks and water bottles for everyone!
- The check for your photographer, if they request that form of payment
- Know where you will be meeting your photographer. If it’s at a park or farm, where on the property are you meeting? If their studio is in a city building, where is the closest parking? You might need to budget extra time.
- Start preparing half an hour before you think you need to, because inevitably there will an extra diaper change, potty trip, request for food etc. that you didn’t plan for!
While You’re at the Photo Session
- Get the most important photos out of the way first, before clothes get dirty and kids get cranky.
- Make sure people are fed and comfortable, even if that means taking snack breaks or throwing on a parka over the fancy clothes. Smiling kids in winter coats >>> cranky kids in matching shirts or dresses.
- Make the most of everyone’s moods. In my experience, kids between 9 and 18 months just don’t love having their photos taken by strangers. We are 2 for 2 of kids refusing to smile in that age range. It’s okay–the photos are funny to look back on. I’m glad we took them anyways!
- Embrace the unposed and action shots. These are actually some of my favorites from over the years and they’re wayyy less stressful to take than when everyone is perfectly posed.
- Thank your photographer and don’t forget to tip! People say tipping culture is out of control, and I generally agree… but good family photographers work SO hard to help wrangle children and they definitely deserve a thank-you for that.
But if you’re a parent: what are your family photo tips? Are you taking photos and/or sending Christmas cards this year?
xx Claire
