5 Tips for Planning a Family Photo Shoot
I thoroughly enjoy planning our family photo shoots. As a new motherhood blogger, I have come to understand that planning family photo shoots comes with the territory. We do at least one a year in the month of November, used them for our family Christmas cards. However, there are a few things that you need to consider when planning a family photo shoot. See my process below:
Choose the right photographer.
My family has used the same photographer (Wes Dawson) for the last few years. What makes him the right photographer for my family? First, I connect with his style of photography. He does a great job of capturing the candid moments as well as the planned shots during our sessions. He is comfortable working with my children, and he makes them feel comfortable. My daughter loves taking photos, but my son doesn’t. Deuce usually refuses to pose, but Wes always captures beautiful shots of him. Lastly, he has a quick turnaround time. He usually has my gallery back to me within two weeks, which is very important to me.
Pro-tip for planning a family photo shoot: A great way to find a local photographer is by searching Instagram for photographers in your area. Instagram is a great tool because you can see the galleries of multiple photographers in one platform.
Planning a family photo shoot typically means coordinating outfits
The key here is to plan outfits that coordinate (colors that look nice together), not necessarily too matchy-matchy. I like to limit us to two or three colors. I also limit the number of patterns and how many of us can wear them. I find that it’s harder to find something nice to wear for family photos for the adults than for the children. Due to this, we choose the outfit for me or my husband first and then choose the children’s looks based on what was selected for the adults. I also find that it is harder to find cute things for boys than it is for girls. Annalise is usually the last one I style because there are so many beautiful options for little girls.
Pro-tip for planning a family photo shoot: Pack a backup outfit for the children. Nothing is worse than getting to the photoshoot, and the unthinkable happens, one of your kids ruins their outfit.
Pick the Right Location
Do you want an indoor or an outdoor session? Do you have a backup location or a rain date scheduled with the photographer if it is an outdoor shoot? Is the site you selected a high-traffic place? Are your children easily distracted by their environment? What’s the lighting like in this location? These are all things that need to be considered when choosing a place to shoot?
Pro-tip for planning a family photo shoot: Make sure you visit the space before your photo session. Evaluate it would be a good place for your family to take photos.
Choose the right time of the day.
When choosing the right time of day, you need to consider the light required by the photographer. You should also consider your children’s temperaments at different times of the day. For example, do you have a child that just isn’t a morning person? If your child’s nap time is compromised, do they become a tyrant? Typically, when we are shooting with a photographer, we shoot in the morning. This is because the lighting is usually good for the photos. My kids can generally keep it together because they have full bellies, and they aren’t tired.
Pro-tip for planning a family photo shoot: Try to avoid nap time and mealtimes for photo sessions. Also, bring snacks that aren’t messy in case one of your children gets hungry while you’re shooting.
Let the kids be themselves.
Kids are going to do what they want to do in photos. I used to come to shoots with really high expectations about what I wanted my children to do in pictures, and I have since stopped. Instead, I want us all to have an enjoyable time at the shoot. A good photographer will catch the beautiful candid moments that occur while you and your family are with them.
Pro-tip for planning a family photo shoot: Bring bribes for the special shots. For the most part, I let my kids do them during the photo shoot, but if there is a particular photo I want, I will give them a small bribe to get it.
These are my 5 tips for planning the perfect family photoshoot. Do you have any suggestions to add? Let me know.
These are all very helpful tips especially taking family pictures with small kids.
I am glad you found them helpful.
Yup. Great ideas here for family photo shoots – as a family with six kids, I can totally vouch for these tips!
Thanks! I can’t even imagine the level of coordination need for a family photo shoot with 6 children. Kudos to you!
Awesome. Very helpful tips especially before holidays.
Thank you!
wow really helpful tips
Thank you!
Great tips! I usee to do photos of others and I help them with the planning and coordinate with their outfits and yes choosing venue, checking weather are all important.
Glad to see that other’s agree!
Thanks for these useful ideas and the images look amazing 🙂
Thank so much!
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