Family Portrait Tips
First of all, I am so excited about your session and the chance to photograph your beautiful family! Before our time together, here are a few things to remember:
- Please don't worry about your child's behavior. I know this is hard to do. You're going to want them to be on their best behavior and that is understandable. However, if they seem to be in a bad mood, irritable or fussy, being firm and frustrated with them because of you are stressed about the shoot being perfect is only going to make it worse. Toddlers, kids and even babies can sense stress from their parents. If you don't feel relaxed and calm, they won't either. If they are acting crazy or grumpy, we'll work with the crazy! There is beauty in the chaos.
- Try to remember that it's not up to you to make yourself look good and make them smile! That's my job! Some of my all time favorite portraits of my own family are the ones when I let go and didn't worry so much!
- I'm a mom of three tiny kids. Nothing can shock me and you don't need to prove to me that you have great kids that listen and follow directions. I know family portraits can be challenging and the challenge isn't a reflection of your child's normal behavior or how well you're parenting them!
- Let's try to avoid snacks and treats as much as possible (save for a last resort!) because we'll have to wait for them to finish chewing before we can try again! It's best to just constantly try to find ways to be silly and make this process fun for them!
- Please keep smiling! Even if you're trying to get one child to giggle and engage, do it with a smile! So often, parents are worried about getting their child to smile that when the child does smile, the parent has forgotten to smile themselves. This is why genuinely having fun together is vital to the success of the shoot!
