How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

First off, everyone gets nervous so you’re not alone! But, don’t worry, we’re going to tell you how to prepare for a family photo session… How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

We have been full-time family photographers for nearly a decade at the time of writing this and it is our job to make you feel comfortable and confident! The reality is that if we aren’t great at doing this then your photos are going to be less than perfect. The more relaxed and natural you look, the better your final product is going to be. So, toss your fears out the window and let’s have fun with your photo session! How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

Got kids? No problem! We often have both of us attend your session, we both have the same experience and both of us are excellent with kids. In fact, we have a child of our own. We have been on sessions where we have been flat out told that the child is not going to smile and does not cooperate with photos and sure enough, by the end of the session, they are smiling and having a great time! How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

Here are a few things to consider when planning for your family photo session… How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

How to Dress

Colors: We have a Pinterest Board that we have designed specifically for this question. It will tell you all about the different seasons, which colors go best with those seasons and much more. You can find the board HERE. You’ll want to coordinate your outfits but try not to match too much. Tie in some colors but also find some subtle contrast between each other. How to Plan a Family Photo Session.

Weather: If you’re from out of town, as so many of our family sessions are, you should expect the dress lighter than you’re probably used to. Even in the fall and winter it can be warm enough to wear shorts and a shirt. It’s not going to be hot but it rarely will be sweater & jacket weather. However, if you are more comfortable in a light sweater and longer pants, by all means! You’ll be comfortable either way. Just don’t expect to be navigating piles of snow in 40 degree weather! How to Plan for a Family Prepare Session.

Environment

Arizona Heat: It gets hot in Arizona, that’s why our busiest time of the year is between October and April. But, if you’re in town on vacation or simply want to get your family photo session done during the summer, don’t worry! We have several great locations that offer shade and cooling near by. In fact, your photos will look better in the shaded areas because it’s diffused light. Additionally, we plan all sessions at around 5:30pm during the summer which serves to create a cooler environment and provides much better lighting for your family session! How to Plan for a Family Photo Session.

Locations: With this we’re going to get your help because we want the location to be something that you love. However, we know Arizona very well, having lived here for 34 years and 30 years between us! So, we have a plethora of great options to help you decide. Arizona is unique for family photography if you know where to look. It is ripe with beautiful deserts (in the right places), art, architecture, mountains, sunsets, and more. Give some thought to your families style and we’ll help you figure out the rest! How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

Environment

Finding a Date: Weekends are the most popular, naturally. If you can swing it, maybe your in town on vacation, you work weekends, or you just have some time off we are full-time family photographers so any day of the week works for us! During the summer months, sessions are best around 5:30pm and during the winter they are best around 4:30pm (give or take depending on the month). Perhaps this leaves time after work. Either way, we will do our absolute best to accommodate any date that works best for you! How to Plan for a Family Photo Session.

Relax & Have Fun!: It can be stressful, finding the date, choosing the location, getting the kids ready, finding outfits, etc. We totally get it! That’s why we’re here to help. In most situations we can find a date, location, and explain the entire process in 3-4 emails or one phone call  and in less than a day. The rest, well, we’ve got your back there too! During your session you should feel comfortable, relaxed, and most importantly natural. We will guide you through a series of poses and then alter each one to fit your style and personality. And perhaps most importantly, we’re going to have fun. This creates an environment of trust and relaxation, it allows for genuine smiles and a true family connection. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands! How to Plan for a Family Photo Session.

Final (Important) Details

Choose a Fun & Experienced Photographer: Obviously, right? The sad truth is that most people buy their first camera and try to hit the ground running as a professional photographer. We’re here to tell you from years of experience and leaning from our own mistakes that those expectations are highly over anticipated. We think it’s great that a lot of people are out there to learn and develop your photography skills but you need the best for your family and they might need to practice a bit more before they can meet your expectations. The truth is, photography is so much more than taking a pretty picture. It’s hours of digital development and knowledge, it’s lighting, it’s noticing the details in the background, on your necklace, if your ring is showing, are all of the kids looking at the camera, etc. and it’s about making a connection with your family while posing and styling everyone to look their best. How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session.

Expectations: Rarely any photographer will tell you that there is no timeline on your session. I believe that it is because it is difficult to price things out without having some type of parameter to go off of. However, we have formulated a process that makes a lot more sense to us! We produce a certain amount of photos that you get to select from a gallery of many more. This way YOU (not us) get to select the photos that you love the most to download, and we have something to price our session off of (a certain amount of guaranteed photos, not time).

There is perhaps a more important reason that we do things this way, it’s because we don’t feel that your session should be timed. Photography is an art, it’s not something that should have a time limit. Natural lighting can be unpredictable, everyone is different in how long it takes to warm up to the camera, sometimes people or distractions become apparent the background, and so much more. So, why rush your session and try to keep it to under an hour? We believe that your session should take as long as it needs to take in order to be beautiful and perfect!

We can tell you that with out experience in photography and working with children we are almost always able to get your session done in under an hour. Let’s face it, you’re there to get stunning family photos and then get back to your life and that is something that we can make happen for you!