You spent hours shopping, coordinating, and deliberating for your family photo session. Tension is high for Mom and Dad and you are hoping that all the little and big kids alike give it their all and that this will be money well spent. How can you ensure that this family photoshoot will be a success? Here is the information I need all my clients to know before getting behind the camera!

1) Treat your photo shoot as you would a family event. Yes really! The session should be the focal point of the entire day. Lay out clothing in advance to ensure that you have the matching hair bow and can find both right and left shoes for each kid. Ensure that your clothing looks clean and if it's wrinkled, iron it! While edits can be made in a pinch, it should never be expected that stains and wrinkles be removed on each photo in post-production. Bathe the kids early so that it doesn't have to be rushed, and you have time to do the kids' hair. Finally, plan to leave at least half an hour earlier than you need to leave. When shooting at sunset, you must come on time so that we will have enough daylight to capture a full gallery.

2) Ensure that your child's physical needs are met before we meet. I absolutely cannot stress how important this is! Feed your children an early dinner or a wholesome snack before you get them dressed and ready to go. Nap the babies and toddlers later than usual to ensure they are rested and will perform their best during the shoot.

3) Help motivate and engage your child during the shoot. For younger children, positive reinforcers such as edibles, PEZ, raisins, and mini marshmallows, are helpful to keep kids motivated to perform. Older children do well working for a prize or a treat they will receive at the end. It is counterproductive to threaten that they won't get XYZ if they don't behave, and this surely will not make for genuine smiles in your images. To help capture beautiful genuine smiles, stand behind the photographer, call your child's name, and crack jokes you know they will find funny. On my end, I help keep the kids engaged and motivated through play and mixing in some action and candid shots in between the posed images.

4) Relax and let go! Remember that kids are kids and things ought to happen that will get you nervous and frustrated throughout the shoot. A kid will fall in the mud or spit up, scream for the first 20 minutes, or keep running in and out of the frame. The kids pick up on the adult vibes, and if we keep our cool so will they. The kids lead the way during sessions, and if need be we modify them to accommodate their needs.

Looking forward to capturing many beautiful moments together with your family! Contact me today for more information.