Family photos can be a lot. I get it. I have two little people and a husband, and a propensity for getting ready at the last minute (an approach I don't recommend). I've been on both sides of the camera, so I'm very familiar with all that goes into preparing for a photoshoot!
My honest opinion? Family photos should be fun. They shouldn't be a high-pressure, rigid experience where you're stressing about your children being... well, children. Your photoshoot should be a time and space where you get to just enjoy your family, and be completely yourselves.
To make things easy, I've put together some of my best advice for making your photoshoot a fun, relaxed experience.
1. Choosing a family photographer
Back when I had just met (and was more than a tad keen on) my now husband, I found out he liked instrumental music. I was thrilled! I was very much in an instrumental music phase, and had curated a beautiful playlist of piano ballads and folky acoustic guitar pieces. I imagined days spent listening to gentle tunes together, showing each other new songs and artists we'd found, and him being thoroughly impressed by my taste... and then he elaborated. Turns out, he was specifically into epic orchestral instrumental music, which, to me, all sounds the same. Once you've heard one song, it's kinda boring (movie soundtrack enthusiasts, please don't come after me).
I thought we liked the same thing, but we have compleeetely different tastes.
Same goes for family photographers. To choose the right photographer to capture your family, it’s important to understand the kind of story you want your photos to tell. Are you looking for natural moments that reflect the heart of your family, rather than posed smiles? Are you drawn to documentary, honest photography that feels like you? (Hint: if you answered "yes" to those, my work might resonate with you. Also, I definitely put leading questions there on purpose. Heh.)
2. Decide on a location for your photoshoot
Before you choose a location, consider how you want your photos to feel. These photos are a snapshot of your life, as it is right now. What stories do you want to share with your children and grandchildren when you look back on these days together?
If you're an adventurous family, Palmerston North and the wider Manawatu has a TONNE of beautiful outdoor locations—I have plenty up my sleeve, as gentle or wild as you like! (To anyone who thinks Palmy is boring: I respectfully(ish) disagree.)
If you prefer the cosy rhythms of your days at home, then that's 100% the best place for your photoshoot. In-home sessions tend to be more intimate, and I find it a beautiful option for families who are a bit less comfortable in front of the camera—you don't have to worry about anyone else who might be around, so you can just do you. Also, you don't have to do the Queen's clean before I arrive! As long as there's a couple of relatively tidy spaces, we'll be just fine. I promise I won't judge you if you shove all the mess into one room. My own house is far from tidy a good portion of the time (read: always).
3. Tell your photographer what you want
Communication. Is. Everything. Before your session, I'll send you a questionnaire to iron out exactly what you love about your family, and what you want to remember when you look back at your images. No detail is too small. You want to capture the way your youngest quietly snuggles up to you? Or the way your husband's eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs? Tell me! I want to bring your vision to life, and give you genuine memories, not just beautiful images.
A cool side effect of telling me exactly what you're hoping to document? It actually helps you to prepare for your photoshoot, too! Writing it all out helps you to get really clear on how you want the session to look, and helps you to prepare as best you can for that outcome.
4. Plan your outfits early
The planning part is a "do as I say, not as I do" thing. I've gotten my own family in front of the camera several times in the last few years, and every single time, I've left it pretty last minute to choose our outfits (you'd think I would learn). I'll tell you what happens: The day before the shoot, I think about what we should wear. I get out a few bits and pieces, find some adorable outfits for my sons, and then realise that what I have for my husband and I doesn't quite work. Cue panic, and stress, and "I-don't-have-anything-to-weeeeaaaarrr," and my husband wondering why he agreed this was a good idea. What I actually recommend is choosing outfits a week before your photoshoot, if you can. That way you know if you feel good in what you're wearing, if you need any extra bits to complement what you've chosen, and if you need to wash anything you're planning to wear. It also gives us time to chat if you're needing help deciding what works best.
While we're here, a couple of styling tips: One, (the most important thing), is wear something you feel good in! For the most natural, true-to-you photos, you need to feel your best, and be able to move comfortably and freely. If you're worrying about how your clothes sit on you, it will show.
Another big one is to coordinate your outfits, but don't match*. Pick a colour scheme you like and mix and match textures and patterns within that scheme. Pinterest is absolutely your friend! Also—you don't have to wear beige if that's not you (but if it is, go for it!).
To make things as easy as possible, I have a client guide with a whole section dedicated to helping you choose outfits for your family—I send it to you as soon as you book, so you have everything you need to feel confident getting ready for your photoshoot.
*I have a caveat here—if matching outfits is your favourite thing, by all means, wear the matching outfits! Your photos are for you!
5. Plan activities and props
If you're never quite sure what to do with your hands when you're having your photo taken, this one is for you. Choosing an activity to base your photoshoot around is a perfect way to make your photos feel more documentary and natural. If your session is at home, bake some biscuits, read together, play silly games with your kids. If you're planning an outdoor session, bring a picnic or some props—toys, books, or even a thrifted basket to take foraging for leaves and stones!
6. Prepare your little people (and your spouse)
Children sense your energy. As you prepare for your photoshoot, talk about the activities you'll do and the fun you'll have as a family. Tell them that there will be a photographer there taking photos, but aim to keep it as low-pressure as possible. Release any expectations, and allow them the space to truly be themselves. If they're a little off during the shoot, that's totally fine! Hold them close, let them feel what they're feeling, and keep the mood light.
If you're the one who's made the booking and read the client guide or this blog post, make sure your spouse knows the drill, too! Let them know that it's okay if your kids aren't perfect (I promise I won't judge your parenting, I have children too!), and to just follow their lead and embrace the fun.
Family photos are about capturing real moments—your unique connections, your joy, your quirks.
Take the time to prepare, but once you get to your session... embrace the chaos, let go of the pressure, and most importantly, have fun and trust that the final images will reflect who you are, and that is a beautiful thing!