Getting your family ready for a photo shoot can be a bit of a daunting task – after all, you want everyone to look their best to capture that perfect moment. With a little planning and preparation, you can make sure that your family’s portraits goes off without a hitch.
Some great ideas and quick tips to help your family
- Plan ahead, choose the right outfit for each person. Coordinating colors can help create a cohesive look and color scheme, but don’t be afraid to let each person’s personality shine through.
- Make sure everyone is well-groomed – hair brushed, teeth sparkling, etc.
- Most important is to relax and have fun! A family photo shoot should be a time to celebrate your family’s love and connection, so make sure everyone is in good spirits before you start snapping away.
With a little advance planning, you can ensure that your family photos are a success. The more comfortable you are, the more likely it is that your family will have a good time – and end up with some beautiful family photos.
Here are more helpful tips, to ensure that your family portraits are a success:
Preparing Babies and Toddlers For Family Portraits
If you’re a parent, or most people, then you know that getting your kids to sit still for a photographer can be a challenge.
- It would be a great idea to choose a time when your child is likely to be in a good mood. If they’re well-rested and have just eaten, they’ll be more likely to cooperate and have fun.
- Make sure to bring along some snacks and drinks to keep them fueled up.
- Bring along some toys or other activities to help keep them entertained.
- And finally, be patient! With a little effort, you’ll be able to get some great images of your little ones.
Preparing Teenagers For A Family Portraits
If you’re a teenager, family portraits may be something you dread. But with a little bit of preparation, you can make the experience much more bearable – and even enjoyable.
- You want to look good, but also comfortable. Avoid any outfits that’s too tight or constricting, as you’ll likely be doing a lot of standing and smiling. And steer clear of anything that’s too casual – remember, this is a special occasion.
- Be prepared to smile…a lot. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that you’ll be in front of the camera for an extended period of time. I know, not everyone likes to smile. Let’s get inspired and do it for your family. So take a few deep breaths and keep those muscles relaxed.
- Keep an open mind. A Family photo session should be a positive experience. If you feel anxious or nervous beforehand, ask your parents questions or visit the photographers Facebook page or the website about page to learn more about your photographer.
Preparing Children For Family Outdoor Portraits
Outdoor family portraits are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do they provide a beautiful natural background for your photos, but they also allow you to get some fresh air and spend time with your loved ones.
- Choose a location that is meaningful to your family, a place that holds special memories or meaning will make your photos that much more special. If you can’t think of that perfect spot, just ask you photographer for inspiration.
- Consider the time of day. The lighting in the early morning or late afternoon is often best for taking photos.
- Dress comfortably and be prepared for varying weather conditions. Outdoor family photo shoots should be enjoyable for everyone involved, so do not stress if everything is not perfect.
Preparing Children For In Home Family Portraits
It’s important to explain to your kids what an in home family portrait session is and why you’re doing it.
- Use simple terms and talk about how much fun it will be to have your picture taken together.
- You might even want to show them examples of family photoshoot ideas to get them excited about the idea of capturing these moments.
- Ask your kids for ideas and get them involved in the process. By involving the whole family it creates an ownership in the project which will instill cooperation.
What To Do If Your Child Has A Meltdown During Your Family Session
- Remain calm: It’s important to remain calm during the photo shoot, even if your child is not. This will help to keep the atmosphere relaxed and hopefully prevent your child from having any more meltdowns.
- Distract them: If your child is starting to get worked up, try to distract them with something else. Give them a toy to play with or ask them to tell you a story, be creative.
- Take a break: If all else fails, take a break from the photo shoot. Let your child have some time to run around and release some energy. Then, when they’re ready, you can try again.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to get through your family portrait session without any major mishaps. And in the end, you’ll have some beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.
If you have any tips you’d like to share please contact me, or leave a comment below.