Happy Tuesday (or as I like to say, Happy at least it's not Monday!). Given that the crazy fall photography season is upon us, I thought it would be a great time to share a few of my favorite tips for family photos. As an Orange County Family Photographer, nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients happy with their images, and there are a few things you can always do to make your session go as smoothly as possible.
1. Make sure your kiddos are well rested and fed. There is nothing harder than a child who comes to a session hungry and/or tired. As parents, we all know how our kids get when they are like this! This time of year, sessions tend to be around dinner time (when the light is best) for some families, so if your family is one of those, either eat early (but don't wear your session clothes to make sure no stains get on them!) or make sure your kids have a good snack (bananas and PB, a hard boiled egg, etc) that will keep their bellies happy during our session! This makes is so much easier to get those natural smiles and laughs.
2. Think about outfits early! If you are going to get a session done, you want to make sure the whole family looks great together - not in colors that don't work together. I offer styling assistance with all my sessions, and have a style guide I created just for my clients to help look their best! Remember - you don't want to be matchy-matchy, rather, harmonious colors and textures that complement each other.
3. Try not to put pressure on your kids! Many parents put so much pressure on their kids, telling them they have to smile, and that they have to be perfect in order to have a good picture. The opposite is actually true! Kids tend to be rebellious, and do the opposite of what parents ask (my child does this all.the.time). Instead, tell your child that you are going to a beautiful location, and that they are going to play and have fun, and there will be someone there to take pictures of them while you are all having fun. This way, you are projecting a good time, rather than a stressful time to your child. I am silly and will play games, especially with younger kids to get them to laugh, smile, and look at the camera. This makes it so much easier on the parents as well!
Contact Me
I hope these tips were helpful to you! If you would like to schedule your own Orange County family photography session, please get in touch!