Life is wild, and full of daily responsibilities, external work demands, and small but wonderful family moments. In the midst of this chaos, booking in family photography can feel like an interruption more than a welcome pause and the thought of preparing for a family photo session can feel daunting. I’ve been doing this a long time and here are some tips to make your next family photo session a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
1. Choose the right photographer
The first step in ensuring a stress-free family photo session is selecting the right photographer. Experience matters. Find someone who has worked with lots of families and someone who seeks to understand your unique needs. Read Google reviews, check out testimonials on their website (you can see my reviews here), view their portfolio and instagram, and have a conversation with the photographer to gauge their compatibility with your family’s style and personality. Not every photography style will suit everyone. It shouldn’t. We are all different.
2. Book early, plan ahead
Start planning your family photo session well in advance. Select a date that works for your family’s schedule and consider the time of day that your children are typically at their best. Your photographer can help advise for a good balance between great light and happy kids. Planning ahead will allow you to secure your preferred photographer and select a location at a time that doesn’t feel rushed, ensuring a smoother experience.
3. Coordinate, but keep it comfortable
Choosing what to wear can feel like a massive hurdle, such a big topic that it’s too much to cover right here – I have a whole other blog post here about what to wear for family photography sessions. Clothing choice can impact the overall look of your family photos, but comfort and feeling like yourselves is key. Select outfits that make you and your family feel relaxed and confident. Opt for colours and styles that complement each other without being too matchy-matchy. Remember, the goal is to capture your family as you are.
4. Communicate your vision
Share your expectations and vision with your photographer. It’s important to let your photographer know what your hopes are for your session. I’m not necessarily talking about specific images (although sometimes this is key if there is something sentimental at play) and you’ll benefit hugely by trusting your photographer to do their thing. But communicating to your photographer about your family’s personality and any dynamics and idiosyncrasies you want to remember forever can really help your photographer work effectively with you. Communication is key to ensuring your photographer understands your desires.
5. Bring snacks and comfort items
Kids need snacks, pack them! Parental discretion on the comfort items, but sometimes a favourite toy can help a nervous child out (just be prepared to have a conversation about if you want the toy as part of your photos BEFORE your session!) Hunger and discomfort can quickly lead to meltdowns, so having food on hand can be a great circuit breaker – bring snacks that are clean (no blue mouths!) and fairly quick to eat as you don’t want food stuffed cheeks because of a never ending lolly. (Pez are great! Lolly snakes, popcorn, apple slices…) Feed your kids BEFORE your session.
Be sensible with bribes – don’t go too hard too soon and don’t go there if these don’t work with your children. Parents often opt for a treat after session but use your discretion about if you share this info with your kids until right before the end.
6. Stay relaxed and be spontaneous
The magic of family photography lies in capturing spontaneous, candid moments. Don’t stress over achieving the perfect pose or everyone smiling and looking all the time at the camera. Instead, enjoy the time, play with your children, and let your photographer capture genuine emotion and interactions. The most beautiful images come out of real moments. Its super ingrained in us as parents to point or indicated towards the camera and to request your kids to smile. Don’t! Your children will smile if they’re having a good time. So have a good time together!
7. Breaks are ok!
I can’t speak for all photographers but my sessions typically run for around an hour. I’ve found this to be the sweet spot of not too long but long enough to get some really relaxed and emotive images. An hour will fly by – but if you need a little break there is actually room for one. This gives everyone a chance to recharge, especially if you have young children. You can use this time to pause, have a snack and a breather. A good photographer will read what’s happening and allow for space for kids to have a moment if they need one.
8. Trust your photographer
Your chosen photographer is a professional who knows how to capture the best moments. Trust their expertise and guidance. Allow them to lead the session and provide direction. You’ll be amazed at the results when you let go of control and trust in their skills.
9. Consider the weather
If your photo session is outdoors, dress accordingly! Wear extra layers if you need warmth. A little rain or wind can add an adventurous and memorable element to your photos, so don’t be discouraged by unexpected weather. A comfortable kid dressed warmly will be a happier kid. And this should be a priority over any outfit plan. If the weather is unsafe or really unsuitable your photographer will make a call to reschedule.
10. Be patient, embrace imperfection
Family photo sessions are about capturing the essence of your family, and that includes imperfections. Don’t worry about every hair being in place or every one looking perfect. Embrace the uniqueness of your family, quirks and all. It’s going to be ok.
Patience is key when with kids or even reluctant family members. Understand that not every moment will be picture-perfect, and that’s perfectly okay. Your photographer will capture the genuine beauty of your family, which includes the moments in between. All photographers need is a split second!
11. Relax and enjoy the experience
Ultimately, the most important tip for a stress-free family photo session is to go in with a relaxed attitude and enjoy the experience. These photos are a testament to your family’s journey, and they should reflect the love, joy, and authenticity you share. Notice the moments (your photographer certainly will!), laugh together, and know that the chaos is a part of the beautiful story that is your family.
Preparing for a family photo session doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavour. With the right photographer, careful planning, open communication, and a willingness to embrace imperfections, you can transform a past bad experience into a new memorable and enjoyable one. A great photoshoot creates lasting memories. So, take a deep breath and be ready to have your family photographed in the most authentic way possible.
Find out about more about my stress-free family photography sessions.
