7 Tips for a Great Family Portrait Session

We have all seen it. Those dreamy family portraits on Pinterest, where the mom looks fantastic, the dad is relaxed, and all the kids are happy. Is this a fantasy? How did they do it? Where is the behind the scenes picture? We know someone had a meltdown!

Try putting these tips to use so you can have the picture-perfect family portrait session. With a little preparation and inclusion, it can be a fun and memorable event instead of a meltdown scene.

1. Find the right photographer.

• First, review the photographer’s website. Looking through their portfolio, pricing, and policies will give you a good baseline on what to expect. This will give you an idea if your style and budget aligns with this photographer.

• Second, meet In Real Life. Sometimes you just click with a person. When you’re comfortable with someone, you will be less self-conscience in front of the camera because you can trust the person behind it. You should be able to put your trust in someone who getsyou and who getsyour family.

• Finally, meet the family. Letting your kids get to know your photographer ahead of time will give them a comfort factor, especially if they are on the younger side. This is very helpful when your littles are going through a “stranger danger” or shy phase. A brief consultation can go a long way to keeping everyone comfortable and setting expectations. 

2. Plan ahead.

• Stressing out the day of a big event sucks. All too often people spend the days before their photo session running around to the dry cleaner, hair stylist, and novelty stores for last minute purchases and props. 

• Make your life easier! Ask for help. Your photographer is more than happy to help you plan the look you want. She has the experience to know what will photograph well and what to skip.

• Dress rehearsal: once you and your photographer have selected the family wardrobe, try everything on at least a week ahead of time. Sometimes those kids grow overnight. (I swear those pants fit him last week!) 

• Clear the schedule and chill. If you have scheduled a sunset portrait session, don’t sabotage your portraits by a spending the morning at the waterpark. Let your portrait session be the day’s big adventure. Set expectations ahead of time. Be upfront about where you are going and how long it may take. Then tell them what you plan to do afterwards (did someone say ice cream?). 

3. Select color themes.

• Where to start? Starting with the most difficult to dress person is often the best way to start. Example, you are worried about what to wear. Find a favorite blouse or dress, the one that makes you feel confident. Use this as your base to build off of. You can assign some family members to wear patterns and the others to wear solids. The goal is to compliment and coordinate. 

• Shop your closets first. Look for color themes before concentrating on top-to-bottom looks for everyone in your family. For a soft look, choose neutral colors with relaxed, flowing fabrics. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors with bold accent colors to complement each other. (Avoid the matchy-matchy. This makes you visually compete with each other.) 

• Accessories add fun! Including fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add variety to your images and gives your something to pose with.

4. Talk to your kids beforehand.

• Kids are smart and they love feeling big and informed. Tell them a “professional photographer” is coming over. Show them the clothes they will be wearing, involve them in the discussion of what you will be doing and where you will be doing it. 

• New people and places can be unsettling to kids, especially to toddlers melting down in the afternoon hours. So do what you can to turn your photographer into a new friend, familiar to your kids before the session.

5. Decide on a reward.

• Bring your kids’ favorite toys or treats and give them to your photographer to use when needed to get their attention. But don’t overuse them or they’ll lose their magic. 

• Kids need far less prompting and are much better at candid expressions than adults. Don’t needlessly bribe them, it, too will lose its magic. If the photographer gets to say that your family goes out for frozen yogurt afterwards, your kids will be far more apt to cooperate.

6. Feed everyone beforehand.

• Pick a time frame that works for your family’s happiness. If they’re grumpy in the morning, don’t plan a morning photo shoot and expect them to be pumped about it. 

• Don’t skip a meal. The hangeriesare real and are no fun. Bring their favorite snack as long as it’s not messy and they can eat it hands-free (no red teeth or chocolate chins needed!). But bring an extra set of clothes and some baby wipes just in case!

7. Trust your photographer.

• No one is perfect. That would be boring. All too often parents get nervous when their child isn’t looking at the photographer or smiling “right,” causing their child anxiety and robbing the photographer (and themselves!) the chance for candid portraits. 

• Seasoned family portrait photographers know how to make your children feel comfortable, so let them work their magic. After all, you’re paying them to create just that, right?