5 Things To Save Your Sanity On Family Picture Day
- Bonnie Mitchell
- May 31, 2018
- 2 min read
Let's face it, taking family photos is something we all love to hate. We see those picture perfect families on Facebook and other social media outlets and think, "My family can do that!" The reality is, little Tommy didn't get a nap and is losing it for the whole session and your husband is half smiling half squinting and counting down the minutes so he can be done an watch the next sports game that is on television. All your time picking out the perfect matching but not matching outfit down to the cute little shoes you bought your toddler mean nothing when tired and hungry children and husband's ruin your photo op. You have been dreaming about hash tagging #adorbsfamily #myeverythingfamily #familygoals for weeks just to get frustrated, and fed up and finally just say "We hopefully got one good shot!" by the time the session is over!
What if I told you that your session won't be perfect(we don't live in unicorn land), but it can be way less hectic if you follow a few tips that I have learned along the way.
1. Nap Time: Don't ever schedule your photo session in the middle of nap time - I don't care if you think little Tommy will "maybe" take an early nap or will nap later, it never works, Tommy knows when Tommy sleeps and any change in that schedule will be an epic disaster.
2. Comfy Toy and Lovies: Don't bring your kids fav blanket or Lovie with you on the photo shoot unless you want it in the picture. It is almost impossible to yank the love of their life out of their arms and expect them on top of that to smile and look at the camera, they probably will be looking in the direction of the toy.
3. THE KIDS!!! Don't try to get your kids to look at the camera or smile, leave that up to the photographer. There are so many almost awesome shots that I have captured only to see the parent mouthing or looking at the kid saying "look at the camera!" It is so much easier to just trust the photographer has caught their eye.
4. Location: Pick a location that has allot of background options like a park with bridges, fountains, trees, etc. or have your photographer pick a place that they have had good luck with, makes for better scenery and less editing.
5. EDITING: Let your photographer know up front if you want just RAW images or if you want edits done to your photos, background enhancing, touch-ups etc. its nice to know what your client is looking for and what their taste is before the photos.
I hope this list will make your next family photo shoot a little less hectic and a little more enjoyable. We all know we think are families are perfect we would just like it for one minute if they could look it!!
Until next time.
-Bonnie