Tips for Family Sessions

Family sessions can be unpredictable, but, ultimately, it’s a time that should be fun and memorable. I never want parents to feel stressed on the day of. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the day and to ensure that it’s a day to remember.

1. Before the shoot

Whether it’s a sunrise or sunset session, make sure your kids are well rested. Typically, most families choose a sunset session so be sure that nap schedules for young ones are set to accommodate the time.

I also recommend dressing young ones (and maybe those that are prone to accidents) at the shoot location. If you want to be extra cautious, feel free to pack an extra set of clothes in your color scheme!

2. Props!

Bring any props (i.e. toys, equipment) that can engage your kids and invites them to have some fun. For infants, I recommend some of their baby toys that can grab their attention. For older kids, bring something they enjoy. Do they like to play with bubbles? Perfect! Bubbles are awesome. Maybe they love playing catch? Heck yes, let’s get some action shots!

I strive to get candid moments and connection between people so these props won’t be used the entire time, but I want your family and children to know that a session doesn’t need to feel stiff. It can be full of spontaneous moments and fun!

3. Break time!

It’s okay to take breaks. I am never going to be a stickler on time and will never penalize you for needing a moment to calm or reassure your kids. In fact, I’ll continue to shoot you in your tender moments. So if you need a moment or two, always feel free to go ahead and take that time. You can ask them what they need or what they’d like to do at the moment and we’ll work around their movement and activity.

4. Don’t forget water and snacks!

Okay, this is a given, but still worth mentioning. Like any outing, you make sure to pack water and snacks for the day’s outing and it will be the same for our session. A hungry and thirsty child is not a happy child. All in all, we want to make sure your kids feel comfortable physically.

Just a side note… there can be a lot of physical prompts and movement so water is a must =).

5. Be in the moment.

The biggest and best tip I can give to parents is to enjoy the moment and treat the session as a day out with your family. Don’t worry about being picture perfect and hitting the right poses. Whether you’re playing with some toys or sharing some laughs, what I want is the connection you have with each other. My hope is that you will not only love the photos you receive, but that they are attached to some fond memories of your day.

I hope these tips helped! But hey, if you have more questions click connect to hit me up on my site! I’d be happy answer any questions.

Connect!!