Prepping for your family portraits with littles: The day of
Family sessions with littles can feel stressful as you’re preparing. Outfit coordination, scheduling the right time of day, and well, the general unpredictability of having a toddler. As your family photographer, I will handle directing your family during your family portraits to ensure the best lighting and backdrop. Through interactive poses and letting kids be kids, it’s possible to get great images no matter what life stage you’re in as a family. There are a few things, as the parent, that you can do leading up to the session to set us up for success. Take a look below!
Clothing and Accessories
Outfits: Choose comfortable clothing that the children can move around in easily. Avoid overly bright colors or busy patterns that might distract from their faces.
Extras: If possible, bring an extra outfit in case of spills or accidents. Coordinate colors and styles if the session involves multiple children or family members.
Accessories: Hats, headbands, and simple jewelry can add a nice touch, but avoid anything too distracting.
Comfort Items: Bring any favorite blankets, toys, or comfort items that can help soothe the child during the session.
Favorite Toys: Bring a few favorite toys that can be used as props or to help get the child’s attention.
Timing of session
Schedule: Plan the session around the child’s best time of day. Avoid nap times or meal times to prevent crankiness.
Allow Extra Time: Arrive a little early to give the child time to adjust to the new environment.
Explain the Process: Talk to the child about what will happen during the session to set expectations.
Parental Involvement during photos
Encourage Participation: Parents should be ready to engage and play with the child to elicit genuine smiles and laughter.
Relax and Enjoy: Remind parents to stay relaxed and enjoy the session, as children often pick up on our moods.
Pre-Session Checklist
Rested and Fed: Ensure the child is well-rested and has had a meal before the session.
Clean and Groomed: Make sure the child’s face and hands are clean, and hair is neatly styled to avoid extra retouching while editing.
Positive Attitude: Approach the session with a positive and playful attitude to make it an enjoyable experience for the child.
If your little one is having a hard time during your session, we can slow down and take a break. Let them lead the way. Once they’re ready we can try again. Interactive poses and letting the child help lead the way is the best way for us to get photographs you will love of your little family. I can’t wait to work with you!
