Wake Forest Family Photographer | How to Enjoy Your Family Portrait Session
It's officially Fall here in Raleigh!
The cooler temperatures mean that family photo season has arrived. For some it can feel like the most stressful time of the year (even more stressful then holiday shopping). But, please do not stress! In the grand scheme of life your family photos should stress you out the least. Over the years I've helped numerous families prepare and it's a team effort. Together we'll work on a customized plan that works for you. Here are a few of my top tips on how to prepare for a stress-free family photo shoot:
Choose your outfits in advance.
I always tell my clients to choose their outfits in advance, this is so beneficial when you have a bigger family and it takes a lot of effort finding the right color scheme and and right pieces for the whole family. Always start with mom’s outfit and build everyone else’s around her, the last thing you want to do is have everyone’s outfits picked and then not find anything you love to tie with the whole family wardrobe later, so trust me, find something you feel amazing in it and go from there. Use Pinterest or view my family gallery for inspiration. Still need help? I'm happy to provide styling tips. Just text me a photo of what you're thinking!
2. Make sure that everyone is well rested and no one is hungry.
This so important! Make sure everyone has a happy tummy and had a good night sleep. The last thing you want your kids to be is hangry. This can bring a lot of stress and tension to your session, and it doesn’t help little ones to be themselves either. Make sure you bring snacks (the nonstaining kind) in case they need something little to keep them happy longer. Also, don't forget about yourself!
3. Get your family (kids) excited.
Talk to your family about your hopes for the session and tell them how important these are for you. Having everyone play a part in the planning adds to the excitement. I've found that especially with younger kids, making it sound like a game can help. Tell them about the plan and even ask for their input. Kids tend to do better in situations where they know all the details.
5. Communicate your vision with your photographer.
I deeply care about the outcome of your photo shoot and I want to make sure that you're satisfied with the end result. The more I know about your family, the easier it is to bring your vision to life! In fact, in advance of my family shoots I not only speak with families first but I also send a short online questionnaire to learn all that I can. I want to know your vision, your style, location preference, and what you want me to focus on.
6.Focus on your love.
This can sound ridiculous, but isn't it the love you have for your family that made you want to take photos to begin with? We all get hung up on little details like how we look or how much weight we've gained, but these reasons distract us from the important one: love. Focus on all the love your family has and the connections between each other. They will thank you later.
In the end, just have fun and be present. You're making these memories with your loved ones. The days are long but the years are short, so create these memories now. You're building them not only for the future, but future generations!
XOXO,
Flavi
Want to book a Fall session? I have a few spots left in November! Learn about my custom family sessions and reserve your spot!
