5 Tips to Prepare for your Family Session

As a family photographer for the last 7 years and a parent for 3, I feel like I’ve heard and seen all of the craziness that can happen at family photography sessions. I also polled some of my families what they thought the best tips for prepping for a session would be. I hope this blog helps you feel more ready and excited for your session!

1. Bring snacks - nothing too messy (unless that’s your vibe). Snack before the session, snack during the session, snack after the session. All the snacks + plenty of water. A hungry kid is a grumpy kid!

2. Booger wipes! Someone might cry and when they do, it’ll be booger city! These are also great for messy hands and mouths.

3. Bribery can be your friend 😂 Don’t feel bad if it comes out! Kids can feel lots of stress for photos, even when I encourage child-led photos, sometimes there are kiddos who are just hell bent on not being in photos. Bring their favorite candy or toy or talk about their special post photo treat!

4. “If you have uncooperative kids at the shoot, just laugh at it. It’s just a stage and the pics are still 👌🏽” I promise every family, even if you feel like ‘there’s absolutely no way we’re going to get good photographs today’ because the kiddos aren’t cooperating, trust me, I got this! You being upset only makes the kiddos more upset AND then you’ll look upset in photos. When in doubt, laugh, cuddle, and you can always call for a break and snack time! You know your babes best.

5. “Lay your expectations for your family at the door. Just be - that’s where the beauty is”

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. This is truly all I want! No stress, only fun and connection and just being with your family. If you feel stressed, your babes will too, so take a deep breath + remember what we’re here for! I’m like really really good at my job, so you’re safe in my hands <3