The magic of family sessions
In the famous words of ferris builer, “life moves pretty fast…” and if you don’t stop and taking pictures once in awhile, you will realize that you can’t get that time back.
My litter brother has a beard now. When did that happen?! I swore he had baby cheeks not that long ago.
My second littlest sister is starting college. Well, actually, she’s already on her third semester. I vividly remember her learning how to spell her name.
You always think that you’ll have more time. But the truth is, time slips through our fingers too quickly. I hate it. But this is why we photograph: to document the way we feel about each other, and remember things that you hope you won’t have to have documented in the first place.
Family Photography has a magic that is so important. It brings people together. And when you think about it, that is REALLY hard to do! Getting everyone in one place, at one time, and INTERACTING with each other? Not on the phone or watching TV? How many times do you get that? It’s kind of funny because in a sense, family photos are memories in themselves. The experience is fun, lighthearted, and full of laughter (not just awkward laughing either). And sure, the guys might snarl at first, but they understand why it’s important. And they’ll be pumped to see the pictures when they’re done. Most importantly, family sessions remind you of what’s important. (insert heart-melting awwww). But it’s so true!
Here's the list that I give all of my clients for stress-free family sessions:
When dealing with littles, make sure that the kiddos have eaten and had their nap time, and bathroom, before arriving at the session. This prevents any crying or torture tantrums! (Which are very common.)
2. Bring the kids’ favorite toys and snacks! This helps comfort them when they’re stressed or scared of the camera/ new environment.
3. Plan outfits a week in advance, and have all hair and makeup scheduled right after you book your session! Finding cohesive outfits can be a treasure hunt, so it’s best to knock it out as soon as possible! Hair and Makeup artists book up quickly, so book them as far out in advance as possible.
4. Bring any props that you want to be photographed. Think about what makes your family unique, and bring anything that’ll help convey it. If you’re a military family, you can show up in uniform. Or if you’re a fishing family, bring your rods! Adding personality to the session is what makes it yours.
5. Laugh off the punches that will get thrown your way! Tell your kids and your man, that it will be a fun and easy-going time! It’s really important to be patient with your kids and not get stressed out about any of the little details. Trust me, they don’t matter. At the end of the day, the kids are going to be the boss in this I will work around anything that gets thrown our way! It’s important that this session remains fun throughout the whole process, otherwise, everyone will just dread doing it again!
