How to prep everyone for your next family photos
I often hear that parents are worried their kids "won't last" or misbehave when thinking about booking a family photo session. And this post is mainly to tell you to relax! As a documentary-style family photographer in Vancouver, BC, specializing in the bond between mothers and their children, I've seen it all, and I have a few tips to make your next session go as smoothly as possible.
Timing of the session
The ideal time of your session, may that be a mini session (20mins) or a full regular session (1-2 hours) is after nap time or early enough in the day, and ideally shortly after a meal. You know your kids best - but in the past I've booked sessions with toddlers around 10am after the first snack, and with smaller babies right after nap time for the extra cuddles.
Tell them it's a playdate
Instead of telling your kids we are meeting for this very important photo shoot and they have to do exactly what I say - just tell them you are meeting a new friend for some fun play time. In my opinion, family photos are the best when they're candid, people (especially the kids!) are enjoying themselves and nothing is forced. So if that means your preschooler loves exploring the rocks by the beach or likes to go play hide and seek in a field, we can simply follow their lead and I will capture you all as your authentic selves.
Pack snacks (and wipes)
If your kid needs to warm up or is having a harder time, let's have a small picnic together and take the pressure off. This also helps with letting them get used to the environment so they can start to play.
Make sure your kids know they can just be themselves
Let your kids know that we are not going for "good kids" or perfection here - there is space for them to be wild. They don't have to chat with me if they don't want to. They especially don't have to do what I tell them to do. They are here to explore, and laugh, and have fun and should not be stressing about the camera. Let's enjoy the kids exactly as they are and document these memories together.
Choose a session location with your kids in mind
As a family photographer that offers both studio sessions, outdoor sessions as well as in-home sessions, the best thing we can do when we plan your photo shoot is to really think about in which environment your kids would thrive the most, have the most fun, and would feel free to just explore. Is your kid feeling shy or more observant in new situations? Then I would suggest doing a photo session in your own home for maximum comfort. Do you have a super exploratory kid who just likes to roam around and play with sticks? Outdoors would be amazing for that. This is obviously for the 2+ year old kids - I would say newborns and babies that are just not quite walking yet, anywhere would work great.
