How to Prepare for your Family Session
Stress-Free Family Photos: How to Plan the Perfect Session
Planning a family photoshoot can feel overwhelming, but with a little preparation, it can be an enjoyable experience that results in genuine, joy-filled images. The more relaxed and prepared you and your family are, the more authentic joy and connection will show through in your photos!
I’ve been in love with family photo shoots since I was 13 years old, starting in my parents’ backyard with my older sister and her two daughters. Over the past 14 years, I’ve learned some ways to make family sessions smooth, fun, and stress-free. This blog post is where I’m sharing these little thoughts picked up along the way, so you can feel confident and excited about your own family session!
Choosing the Perfect Location
The location of your photoshoot sets the tone for your images. Here are some things to consider when picking the perfect spot:
THE BACKGROUND — The setting of your session plays a key role in shaping the overall feel of your photos! My last blog post highlights some great locations in the Indianapolis area, but even if you’re not local, it can still help you visualize the type of setting that best suits your family—whether it’s an open field, a cozy studio, a wooded area, or an urban backdrop.
PERSONAL MEANING — Choosing a location with sentimental value, like a park where your family spends weekends or your own home, can add an extra layer of meaning and nostalgia to your photos.
SEASONS — Keep in mind how the location will look during your scheduled session. Fall foliage, spring blooms, evergreen trees in the winter, etc.
What to Wear
Golly! This is ALWAY what people say is the hardest part about prepping for the photoshoot! Dressing yourself and your whole family can be tricky, but DON’T OVERTHINK! Here’s some tips to help.
WHERE WHAT YOU FEEL GOOD IN! — I cannot overstate this. Think about what you feel good wearing. Your favorite cut of shirt or dress. What makes you feel confident? This will make you feel more like yourself and you won’t be worrying about it during the photoshoot.
COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH — Choose a color palette and let each family member wear outfits that complement each other without being identical. Type "family photo color palettes" into Pinterest and you will have endless inspiration!! Or look below at my curated color palettes :)
IS IT DISTRACTING? — Simple, classic styles tend to look best. Stay away from large logos, busy prints or super bright colors that can take attention away from your faces. Patterns and colors are great, but don’t make it too busy!
ACCESSORIZE THOUGHTFULLY — Hats, scarves, and small accessories can add personality, but avoid anything too overwhelming.
DRESSES — Dresses for the ladies in the photos always add some extra class! People often think they are overdressing if they wear a dress, but I disagree! ROCK IT! And if it feels like too much for you, put your little girlies in a dress (they’ll feel like a princess)
Color inspiration for your session…
KIDS MATCH YOUR ENERGY
Parents, I’m talking to you!
Here’s a couple tips to create a relaxed and happy environment that will help us get the best photos!
YOUR KIDS MATCH YOUR ENERGY — One of the most important things to remember is that your energy will be matched by your kids,. If you’re feeling stressed or frustrated, they will pick up on that and they will be stressed and frustrated. NO yelling “SMILE RIGHT NOW!” — trust me i’ve seen this and it does not go well.
LET YOUR KIDS BE KIDS — I babysat a family of 6 kids when I was 12 years old — I can handle some craziness! lol. Your excitement will transfer to your them! If they’re running around like crazy, embrace it and run with them.
LAUGH LIKE CRAZY — okay, I need you to know I am going to be acting a FOOL at your shoot to get your kids to laugh and if you laugh at my silly jokes, they will LAUGH!
MY JOB vs. YOUR JOB— My job is to get the smiles, give the prompts, get all the good photos you’ve been dreaming about. Your job is to ENJOY YOURSELF! Do not worry about whether good photos are being taken or not, I promise we will get them. Even if it feels like your kids are being hooligans.
ENCOURAGE, DON’T DEMAND — Instead of telling kids to “smile,” engage with them playfully—tell jokes, sing songs, or let them be silly. I’ll make sure to get that “everyone is smiling at the camera” photo we all love and a million candids on the way.
BE PRESENT — Instead of worrying about how everything looks, focus on enjoying the time with your family. Those emotions will shine through in your images.
Preparing for the Session
A little preparation goes a long way in making your family session smooth and stress-free
FEED THE KIDS (and Yourself!): Hungry kids are not happy models. lol. Give them a snack before the session and bring extras just in case. All the snacks!
SCHEDULE AROUND NAPS: If you have young children, try to book your session at a time when they’re well-rested and happy.
BRING COMFORT ITEMS: If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or small toy, bring it along for reassurance (and potential cute photo moments!).
PLAN AHEAD: Lay out outfits the night before, pack anything you need beforehand, and allow extra time for getting ready so there’s no last-minute rush.
Final Thoughts…
Your family photoshoot should be a fun and memorable experience! By preparing ahead of time, choosing the right location, wearing outfits that make you feel great, and bringing a positive energy, you’ll set yourself up for stunning, heartfelt images that you’ll cherish for years to come.