How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session: Tips for a Stress-Free Experience

Welcome to our guide full of family photo session tips to help you have a wonderful experience. Family photography is our specialty, and we’re excited to share our knowledge with you! This will ensure that you and your family are well-prepared for your next family photoshoot.

We have years of experience capturing beautiful memories for families. By doing this, we’ve learned the best tips and tricks to share with our clients to help them prepare for their sessions. Although family photography sessions may seem stressful at first glance, rest assured that they don’t have to be!

Our goal is to make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. In this article, we will share our best advice on how to prepare for a family photo session, so you get the best results.

Family Photoshoot Tips for a Stress-Free Session

Here are some helpful tips for things to do before your photo session. Later on, we’ll discuss some tips to help you during your session and after your photoshoot.

Tips for choosing the right photographer:

Choosing the right family photographer is essential to ensure a successful family photo session. Experience, skill, style, and trust are everything when it comes to hiring a photographer.

Do you like mostly candid family photos, or do you lean toward more posed photos? It’s important to do your research to find someone with a style you love! For example, don’t hire a photographer with more of a formal posed traditional style if you love the look and feel of raw emotion and candid photography. Just like you wouldn’t want to hire a “dark and moody” photographer if you prefer a true-to-color style or light and airy style (and vice versa of course).

Just remember that you hire an artist for their aesthetic, so expect to receive photographers that are similar in style to what you see in their portfolio or website. We have another great post here with more helpful information on that topic.

It’s also important to hire someone you feel comfortable working with and trust. Look for a dependable, professional photographer specializing in family photography who has experience working with children of all ages. You can also ask friends or family members to recommend someone they had a great experience working with during a photo session.

Tips to prepare for your family photo session:

After you choose the right photographer, it’s time to start preparing for the family photo session. Yay! Now is the time to be thoughtful and intentional. You’ll want to choose beautiful, timeless outfits and a great location for your family portraits. After all, these are the outfits and the scenery that you will see hanging in frames in your home, so you’ll want to love them!

The goal is to update your home with gorgeous, timeless photo collages and wall art from your family photography session. Maybe it’s even time to update your mantle with a beautiful family portrait! Trust me…it’s worth putting some thought into your outfits and the location.

Some photographers specialize in this while others may not offer much guidance (if any). Don’t hesitate to reach out to your photographer to ask them about their approach to this.

While some clients may have a great vision in mind without requiring much guidance, sometimes a helping hand is exactly what’s needed to pull it all together and execute the vision. I highly recommend discussing your vision with your photographer. Some photographers will even help assist their clients by creating a mood board and brainstorming ideas together.

Below are a few tips for family portrait sessions that will help you prepare.

Best Family Photo Session Tips for Natural, Timeless Photos

Outfits: Plan your family photo session outfits ahead of time

Plan your family photo outfits ahead of time, and coordinate with your family. Avoid using busy patterns, neon colors, and logos. Instead, choose neutral or complementary colors that will help your family photos stand out.

The best colors for family photos are tones like soft pink, olive green, or mauve rather than neon shades. Think about the hue or tone of the color you are choosing. The tone is more important when it comes to choosing colors.

Reach out to your photographer to get their opinion on colors and what to wear for family photos. Send them a few options to see what they think, and try to be open if they suggest changes. Remember that they are thinking of things from a photography standpoint, so don’t take it personally if they suggest choosing something else. For example, they may recommend staying away from super tight pinstripes and checkered patterns to avoid the “moiré effect” in photos.

If you’re hiring a photographer for their style, it’s important to keep in mind that color and clothing choices have a significant impact on the final outcome of your family photos. We suggest avoiding extreme trends and going for a more timeless look. After all, you’ll want to display your photographs on your walls for years to come. Some photographers will assist you during this process or send you a guide on family photo outfit ideas to help you along the way. We love helping our clients plan for their sessions!

Location: Tips for planning your family photo locations

Selecting the right location for family photography is a significant piece of the puzzle when trying to achieve the look and feel you desire for your family photo session.

Choose a location that perfectly captures the style and character of your family. Ensure that everyone can access it easily and comfortably, whether it’s in a small town, local park, or in the big city.

Some clients prefer in-home sessions or their family portraits to be taken in their own backyard. Others may look for outdoor family photography locations like open fields, or ask family members and friends for suggestions.

This choice can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your family portrait session as well. This is something you will want to discuss with your photographer. He/she will more than likely have plenty of family photo location ideas, and your photographer will know what scenery will look the best.

If your photographer is traveling from out of state, then ask them if they plan to scout the area before the family photo session. When traveling to our clients, we always spend time scouting the area to determine the best location and lighting. This ensures a successful photo session.

A good photographer isn’t going to show up to a session unprepared. You will also want to keep in mind to dress appropriately for the location chosen. For example, high heels in a field may look out of place, but a long flowy sundress can be the perfect fit for outdoor family photography.

Tips for scheduling your hair & makeup, manicure, etc. in advance:

Some photographers will coordinate hair and makeup for their clients. This ensures that their client books with a trusted, dependable, talented, and professional hair and makeup artist.

If your photographer doesn’t offer this service, then you’ll need to handle coordinating a date that works for you, the photographer, and the hair and makeup artist.

Be sure everyone has a nice haircut and clean fingernails. When getting haircuts, hair coloring, manicures, etc., I recommend doing this with enough time to make corrections if necessary. For example, you wouldn’t want to color your hair the day before the session in case you don’t like the way it turns out.

Consider Props: Tips to help you select props for your family photo session

Consider incorporating props into your family photography session. For example, an old toy, a cream quilt, or a special hat. Capturing images with your pet or family dog can be extra special. This can create space for lovely candid family photos of children interacting with their beloved furry friends.

Just be sure to ask your photographer first. Some locations and photographers do not allow pets. If you do include them in the photo shoot, make sure you bring a great leash.

Scheduling a time for your family session:

Make sure your family is well-rested and fed. Avoid scheduling during naps or mealtimes, as this could create unnecessary stress for everyone involved.

How to prepare kids for family pictures:

Before the session, discuss the photo shoot casually with your children and family members. Explain that it will be fun, easy, and relaxed (like they’re hanging out with a friend). Express your excitement about having photographs of them hanging on your walls. Let them participate in the process, so they feel excited about it.

Children don’t need to smile throughout the entire session. That’s not natural. Telling them this might relieve any pressure they might be feeling and allow them to be themselves. Also, some photographers incorporate games toward the end of the session. Sometimes, we like to do this (depending on the ages) because it’s fun for the kids.

Double-check with your photographer before telling the kids though. If your photographer does this, it will give the kids something exciting to look forward to toward the end of the session. Games also make for great candid family photos!

Communicate with your photographer:

Communicate directly with your photographer. If you have any special shots or family photo poses you were hoping to capture, let your photographer know. They can’t read your mind or recreate something identical. They can put their own spin on it though. Most photographers are more than happy to work together to turn your vision into a reality.

Also, if you have any insecurities or preferences, let them know. For example, if you prefer the left side of your face (and consider it your “better side”), let them know before the session. Some photographers will send you a questionnaire. This will allow your photographer to serve you to the best of their ability. Remember…communication is key!

What to Bring to a Family Photo Session

Being prepared on the day of your session will help everything run smoothly. Here’s a quick family photo session checklist of things to consider bringing:

• A change of clothes or layers for the kids,
• Snacks and water to keep little ones happy,
• Props you’ve discussed with your photographer,
• A leash if you’re bringing a pet,
• Any sentimental items that tell your family’s story.

Tips for Families During the Family Photography Session

Below are a few tips for family portraits to help you during your photoshoot.

Be natural:

Take a deep breath, relax, and be present in this moment with your family. Slow down, and feel your life as it’s happening. These moments are passing you by so quickly, and your photographer is there to thoughtfully preserve them for you. This ensures that those moments of connection and interaction that may have been forgotten, will instead be preserved for generations to come.

Don’t overthink it. Just relax and enjoy your family. Candid family photos often turn out to be the most stunning and timeless memories. Don’t stress if things feel like they’re falling apart. Kids will be kids, and they’re not expected to be perfect little angels. In fact, some of the best images are when things start to “fall apart” during the photo session. Seeing walls come down is a beautiful thing. Often, that’s when life is captured in the most beautiful way.

Follow your photographer’s lead:

Your photographer will guide you through the family photography session and suggest family photo poses or shots that look great. Put your trust in their expertise, and follow their lead. We like to email our clients more specifics on our approach to posing before their session to help them prepare.

Take breaks during your family session:

If your children get tired or restless during the family photography session, take a break. Let them play or relax. This is our favorite time to capture memories. There is so much natural beauty and connection to be found when the “walls” come down. Doing this will help the photographer capture beautiful, natural family portraits.

What to Do After Your Family Photography Session

Once you’ve chosen your favorite photos, it’s time for you to decide how to display them. After all, you probably didn’t go to the trouble of booking a family portrait session to let your memories die on a hard drive. Now is the fun part! It’s time to turn your beautiful images into art! Here are some tips to maximize the impact of your family photos:

Select your favorite photos:

Review all photos, and select the ones that you love most! Many photographers offer online galleries allowing you to mark your “favorites.” This is a good starting point. Then you can review your favorites list with your photographer. Often, photographers are happy to help you during the decision-making process if requested. We love assisting our clients and walking them through the ordering process.

Create a heirloom family album with your images:

Consider asking your photographer to design a stunning photo album. Quality matters when it comes to photo albums, and many photographers offer high-end luxury family photography products, including heirloom family albums, custom wall art, and fine art prints. There’s no substitute for working with professional artists!

You go to a lot of effort for beautiful family portraits, so don’t let them die on a hard drive. Let your photographer guide you and create timeless pieces of art for your home. If you’re having trouble deciding what to print, a heirloom album could be a wonderful option!

Choose wall art from family photos:

Some photographers offer custom wall art from family photos. Ask your photographer if this is something they offer. We take great pleasure in providing our families with a “done-for-you” service by creating custom artwork and luxury family photography products for our clients.

Doing this protects their memories and guarantees that their favorite images don’t get lost or forgotten on a hard drive. Instead, these treasured memories can be proudly displayed as beautiful artwork on your walls!

Share your photos with friends and family:

After your family photo shoot, don’t hesitate to show off your masterpieces with family and friends. Consider sending them as holiday cards or using them in a family photo wall display.

Many photographers offer fine art prints of the highest quality when ordering custom-framed wall art or matted prints. Ask your photographer about the difference in the quality of everyday prints versus fine art prints. Not everyone realizes the difference until they see the prints in person.

Book your next family portrait session:

Ask your family photographer if they offer memberships.

Don’t let life pass you by without taking time to capture these important moments. Once they are gone, there will be no second chances. Be intentional about capturing your memories and documenting your legacy.

Many photographers offer family photography memberships, so you can receive added value and guarantee a spot on their books. Plus, establishing a relationship with your photographer helps your family become more relaxed in front of the camera over time.

Conclusion: Your Family Photo Session Checklist for Success

We hope these family photoshoot tips were helpful. A successful family photo shoot is all about preparation, communication, and relaxation. By following the tips in this article, you will be well-prepared for your family photo session.

Go into your family photography session relaxed and grateful, allowing your photographer to create photographs you’ll treasure for years to come. Remember that selecting the right professional family photographer, allowing time for thoughtful pre-session preparation, staying relaxed during the session, and making the most of your portrait session are all key elements for a successful family photoshoot.

Schedule with us

If you’re looking for a professional family photographer who specializes in working with families and offers luxury family photography and heirloom albums, we’d love to hear from you!

Photographing families is Emily’s true joy! She specializes in capturing images that are unique and true to each of the families she works with. Emily has 18 years of experience, and she offers two beautiful scenic family photo locations in Georgia. One is a beautiful historic homestead in the Lake Oconee area near Athens, GA. The other location is a scenic farm with rolling hills just south of Atlanta, GA.

Emily also travels to many of her clients to photograph them in sentimental locations that speak to their hearts. This could be a favorite family vacation getaway, a family home, or a national park. Currently, she is only traveling within the U.S. for family sessions. The majority of her time is spent serving her clients in the southeast (most frequently in GA and Western N.C.). Please get in touch if you have questions regarding family photography or travel locations.

Upon booking your family photo shoot, you’ll receive a detailed family photo session checklist. This will help you prepare for your session.