Don’t panic, professional photographer Hart Tan from Tomato Photo has his top tips for getting the most out of your family photo shoot experience, panic and stress free.
Decide on your style preferences
What is your vision for the shoot outcome? Do you want images shot in a studio with a more posed effect or are you looking to capture every day life in a specific location such as your home or garden.
Are you wanting the whole extended family involved or is this just for the immediate family.
Once you have set ideas of what you want you need to start preparing the kids. Start talking to your kids about the shoot a week in advance to get them comfortable with the idea.
Let them know your expectations of their behaviour, but more importantly talk it up to make it sound like a fun and special occasion for the family – because it is!
Let kids be kids
This can either make your session enjoyable or a nightmare. Children are busy little people and they need to be able to move around and experience their environment.
Any good photographer will be expecting this and should work in cohesion with your children.
This means that the photographer should engage in play and funny acts to draw your children’s attention and stimulate them into posing with the family.
The happier the child, the happier the parents and the more natural the photographs and this is the outcome you want.
Your photographer should be willing to get up and move and play games with your child.
Be sure to communicate beforehand the ages and personalities of your kids so your photographer can have some games or attention keepers on hand to use during the session.
Head on over to the next page for more way on how you can prepare for a family photoshoot.
The importance of snacks
Distractions and quick breaks for the kids can be facilitated through snacks. Pack plenty of snacks and liquids so that you child feels full and content.
This is especially important for those location shoots where it might be hot outside or your little one has maxed out their energy on running around. Full tummies makes for happy smiles and perfect shots.
What should I wear?
Wear what suits you best don’t try to change your personal style at the last minute. It’s not about something new or trendy, but rather classical pieces that age well and you wont regret wearing in the future.
Stay clear of large prints or cartoon like animations on shirts as this can draw too much attention to the outfit and not your child’s face.
Soft harmonious colors are always recommended as the family will blend together nicely and it will fit in with the background of the shoot.
We always recommend brining a change of clothes, especially for any accidents or mess on your little ones outfits that can occur just before or during the shoot.
It’s all about the experience
Don’t just focus on the hours you spend with the photographer but rather make a day of the event. Hart believes that the essence of every good photography family session is the family bonding experience.
“You need the experience and quality family time to shine through so that it can be captured on film”.
Schedule time either before or after the shoot with you kids so that it becomes an amazing family day out and one that you can reflect on for many many years to come as you flip through your photo albums.