How to make the most of your family portrait session

For some people, preparing for a family session can feel intimidating. There are family dynamics to consider, the age of your kids, the weather, the outfits! We’ve been there ourselves, so we totally get that it can be a lot to consider. We also know that at the end of the day the #1 most important thing to remember is that you are experts at being the family that you are and we are experts in using that dynamic to feel inspired to create images that capture the spirit of your family. So with that fundamental idea in mind, we’ve created what we consider to be a pretty all-encompassing list of things to prepare for and consider before we get together and create those beautiful images we are looking forward to shooting with you.

LET IT GO and LET IT FLOW!!!

Kids will be kids. I have an extremely spirited child so not only am I speaking from professional experience but my own experience as a mother to a strong-willed kid has shown me that sometimes you just have to let it go. Because of this, I consider myself really skilled when it comes to working with kids who are both the type to smile nicely at the camera and the ones who are more inclined to want to explore their surroundings or push their sibling to the ground. I have lived it and I have worked it so nothing will surprise me in terms of how your child actively participates in a family shoot or protests it! Because of this experience, I am able to adapt and have some tools to redirect a pose or engage a wayward child which enables me to capture both a more traditional portrait and candid shots with lots of movement. Every kid and family is different which means that the final galleries are always different as well but one thing is certain, you will end up with a collection that reflects exactly who you are as a family.

BE YOU!

Don’t expect perfection in the traditional sense. But do expect images that reflect all of your personalities. Focusing too much on getting the perfect portrait often ends up putting too much pressure on kids and can end up backfiring. Instead, let us lead the session in a way that brings out your kid’s natural playfulness and gets them engaged to the point where setting up for a classic portrait can occur naturally and easily. I am not above rolling around on the ground and making a fool of myself if that’s what your kids need to open up.

Tell your kids about me!

Talking to the kids a bit about me and the session beforehand can help break the ice a bit so that I’m not a total stranger from the start. You can tell the younger ones that a funny and nice friend is coming to take your pictures but she’s not going to make you sit around for an hour and say cheese and she’s probably going to make you laugh and will let you tickle her and laugh at her! For older kids who might be dreading the session, you can tell them the photographer gets it - I was a teen once too and I’ll do my best to not torture them and they might even have a little bit of fun;) I have worked with teenagers before who have been extremely into the session and have shown up engaged and not at all embarrassed to pose for all sorts of photos and I have also experienced teens who are either a bit shy or just completely not into it and I have always enjoyed both of these types of experiences because teens are awesome.

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE KIDS.

Allow me to have a huddle with the kids before we start. I like to spend the first moments just talking and joking with the kids. I like to learn a bit about them and show them my camera so we can break the ice and so I can ensure them we’re going to have fun. Whenever I approach a session this way, I have found that even the shyest of kids warm up to me quite quickly and are way more eager to engage. If they know I am not going to be serious or make them stand stiffly for the whole session, the rest usually flows. Of course, every kid is different and if you have kids that are just too shy or hesitant to new people I will make sure to introduce and connect with those kids when I know they feel safe and respected.

PLAY!

Playfully interact with your kids! Tickle, snuggle, run, laugh. The more engaged and connected you can actively be with your kids during our session, the more authenticity will shine through the images. It is so common to feel awkward and unsure of what to do or how to hold yourself in front of a camera. One of the best ways to counteract this is to almost always be looking at eachother instead of straight at the camera. It also helps to be touching as much as possible, so grab your partner’s hand or throw your arms around your kids in a way that feels natural to you and your family dynamic.

WHAT TO WEAR.

Bring a change of clothes, just in case! Remember, kids will be kids and I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t come out of the session a little dirty - we are in the mountains after all!

Always bring sensible shoes. Shooting in the Canadian Rockies means we’re almost certainly going to encounter uneven terrain so walking in heels or very stiff shoes won’t always work. Having your nicer shoes ready to change into once it’s practical to do so will make all the difference to you and your kid’s comfort.

Wear something you feel comfortable and flattered in. If you are uncomfortable in something you are wearing, it will show in the photos so we always encourage our clients to dress for confidence and comfort. The same thing goes for kids. If your kiddos are used to wearing loose-fitting, soft clothing it may be a bit of a challenge to put them in something too stiff and formal so I suggest either opting for a well put together but casual look or letting the kids get used to their fancy outfit before the shoot!

After comfort, an important thing to consider is to coordinate your outfits but do not match. A rule of thumb is that you should all look as though you’re dressed to go to the same place. This is where I would have to tell my son NO to wearing his swim shorts to a family shoot when the rest of the family is not dressed for a swim in the least even though we wished we were!

Dress for the weather. Layers are your friend. In Jasper, it has snowed in August and my son has hiked shirtless in February so be prepared for it all!

If you’re still struggling with how to dress for your shoot, Pinterest is your friend. There is so much inspiration on there that can help you create a cohesive look.

REST AND SNACKS!

For little kids, consider nap and meal times when choosing a session time with me. Well-rested and fed kids have a lot more fun. The same can be said for the grownups!

Bring water and no-mess snacks. If your kids are anything like me a good snack can turn most meltdowns around in a flash. Avoid chocolate, melty snacks, and anything else that might leave a stain on clothes or faces! The one thing I have never been able to contend with as a family photographer is a massive sugar crash so try to bring snacks that won’t cause that classic crash and burn;)

LASTLY - GET EXCITED!

Having family photos done can really be a lot of fun and presents a great opportunity to play around, bond, and make memories. You’re in the beautiful mountains of Jasper National Park with your favourite people in the world; what a great setting to connect with the ones you love as I capture it for you. I get excited for every family shoot that I do and it’s the absolute best when families can show up with that same energy so we can get to work creating the most authentic images. I can’t wait to meet you all!