Having a high-quality lifestyle-type family photoshoot of me with the kids is important to me. I take a lot of photos of my children but rarely get good ones of all three of us together. So that is why I like to have a family photo session at least once a year if possible to capture their personality and look at that current time. Planning a family photoshoot can have its challenges but the end results always leave me with a big smile and memories to hold onto dearly. 

Family Photoshoot Tips

Everyone needs to be well-rested and tummies full

What is worse than a hangry mom – well I would say two tired and starving kids! It is important for everyone (even mom and dad) to be well-rested and ready to share that happy personality we all have in us. Don’t wait to eat after the photos, plan a small meal before and take-along snacks just in case. No need to have anyone distracted by the thought of food.

Plan your wardrobes to coordinate and for comfort your family photoshoot

Choose your family’s clothing way in advance and make sure that all the outfit choices are comfortable in addition to being an attractive color scheme.  Choose coordinating colors – but not super matchy- with a combination of soft and bold colors. I like when one outfit has all the colors and everyone else is wearing just one or two of those colors. Consider your location too. If you are at the beach in Florida then your outfits will be very different than if your session was at a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina.

 Have natural facial expressions

Cheese is for crackers! Don’t make your family have forced “cheese” smiles during a family photoshoot. And yelling or demanding kids to smile or look at the photographer will result in strained, unflattering, and sometimes downright unhappy looks. Just let personalities shine through in a natural way allowing everyone to interact and talk to one another with personality.

Prepare for the Unexpected

If you have a flawless session then you are lucky. But if you are like this mom, your kids may vomit, pee or poop on themselves on the way to or during your photo session. We all know that being prepared for the unexpected is a must as a parent; that is still the case even with a short family photo session.

I recommend taking along an extra set of clothing (or 2) that would still be suitable for photos in an emergency situation.  Plus, it’s a good idea to take extra hair supplies…brush, ponytail holders, hairspray and a water bottle.  The wind at the beach is death to a cute hairstyle!

Don’t Stress About Your Family Photoshoot

Family photos can create stress within the person planning them because you want them to turn out perfect. After all, they are an expense and something that you probably do not get done regularly. But like all things, it is about the experience, the memories, and the love. Prepare ahead of time then just let go and allow things to just be during the session.

Southwest Florida Photographer: Ashley Pledger

If you live in SWFL or are planning a Florida vacation to this beautiful destination, then I highly recommend you take advantage of the natural beautiful background by booking a family photoshoot. Have some photographic memories of everyone together not a parent missing because they are behind the camera. I can speak from experience that a session with Ashley Danielle Photography will exceed your expectations. She is not only wonderful with kids and patient for the right moment, she creates fantastic final images. I can brag more but I think her work speaks for itself.

 

Do you have any tips that work great for your family photo sessions?