We all have that perfect holiday photo in mind…kids smiling, clothes on point, magic in the air. It’s easy, right? Wrong. For most sessions (but not all!) it can be pretty stressful for the parents. We understand how much goes into getting everyone ready + out of the house without a blowout or meltdown to get to the studio on time. The kids are tired or bickering, you don’t know what outfits to wear, and no one is in the mood to get their photo taken. Sound familiar? Well, we get it. As fellow parents, we understand EVERYTHING that goes into getting a stunning family photo. And we want to help you out.

1) Don’t have your kids on their devices (or your phone) right before the session.

Sounds like a crazy idea, right? Well, you’ll thank us later. While it might seem like the only logical thing to do while you get you and and your family ready for the photos…think about how upset the kids get when it’s time to take the devices away. It can be a nightmare, and we don’t want those angry feelings showing during a session. Whether they are little enough to borrow your phone or old enough to have their own, it’s best to avoid using them right before the session or even in the car. And while it might be tempting to use a phone or music during your session, it’s best to leave it up to us. Our photographers are experts and will (quickly!) entertain your kids during the session.

2) Don’t book a session during nap time.

This might sound obvious, but we 100% recommend booking a session when your kids are usually up and playful. We get it, life is busy with everyone’s activities, school, sports, etc. But, bringing in a tired child for a photo session is never a good idea. When kids are tired and cranky, it adds to the stress during a session. So, believe us, avoid sessions during nap time.

3) Choose your attire in advance.

Ugh. The thought alone of coordinating your family’s outfits is stressful. Do you match, what colors do you want, do we need to buy anything…the list goes on and on. We’ve found that the most important thing is for kids (and parents, too!) to feel comfortable in their outfits. If they are tugging at their pants or pulling at a headband they would never normally wear, it ends up showing in the photos. They need to feel like themselves, and the pictures will look natural and like them. Another tip is to plan everyone’s outfits in advance. There’s nothing like trying to put together multiple outfits the night before a session. It’s the worst, and adds stress. So, plan it out in advance.

4) Take the lead, and don’t stress.

If you don’t stress, they won’t stress. Often times the little ones feed off of their parents’ moods. If kids sense that mom is completely stressed-out during the session, they become stressed-out…and it shows in the photos. We get it though, this is easier said than done. We’re parents and understand what it takes to even show up at a session, let alone be in the session when you’re just trying to get that one perfect shot. So take a deep breath, relax, and know that our photographers will take care of the rest. They are experts, and will run the show. As hard as it may seem, just stay calm, and the magic will authentically happen.

5) Life isn’t perfect, but let’s capture the real (and perfect!) you.

Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it before…life isn’t perfect. Well, it’s true, it’s not. So why do we try to have perfect family photos? Well, we have an idea of what we want, and we are usually determined to get it! With photos, though, we need to take a step back and let the kids be themselves. We need to adjust to what we think is the “perfect” family photo that you might have tried to replicate on Pinterest, and just be who you are as a family.

The quirks, the personalities, the laugher, the giggles, the silliness…let it all come out! Then, you’ll really be able to have the “perfect” family photo and a stress-free session.

Our goal is to make the entire process as easy, enjoyable and seamless for you before, during, and after your session. We hope these tips help make photo sessions less of a task and more of a way to celebrate your family. Just have fun with it!