Getting everyone in your family ready (including you!) for a photo shoot can be stressful. Believe me when I tell you that as an Asheville photographer, I am here to help you, and that there are tips and tricks that make this process even easier than you can imagine!
You have probably already seen my Tips for What to Wear to Your Photography Session blog post, which is a huge help when it comes to coordinating outfits for the entire family. Once you have that task conquered, start thinking about preparing your family for photo shoot success. There is A LOT that goes into getting your family photo ready and my tips below have been proven to make your job easier! My favorite tip- come with full bellies! Yes, even you! Full bellies make happy families!
Plan to Arrive Early
Leaving a little extra time to get to our photo shoot location will help you arrive on time, and will ensure that you arrive with one less worry. It will give you time to get shoes on the little ones, get the kids out of the car, and time to gather any items you want to bring along. Plus, starting on time will bring ease to the entire family, knowing that we can maximize our time together for your Asheville family photos, whether they are at Biltmore Estate or on a mountain top.
What to Expect
Photo sessions with me are FUN! I do everything in my power to provide a relaxed and fun atmosphere for your entire family. Having fun is part of making memories, and that’s what I am here to capture! I recommend talking to your kids about how we will walk around our chosen location while taking photos of the entire family together, but also photos of just the kids, just Mom and Dad, and each kiddo by themselves. This can help them understand what to expect.
Prepping Your Family
How to Prepare Your Spouse
Most men aren’t overly excited to take photos for an hour, because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. Tell him why you chose me and my style of photography. Show him some of your favorite pictures of mine, explain why you love them and express to him how much it means to you. Trust me, once he knows it’s important, he’ll light up the camera for you! The most common thing I hear from guys before photo sessions is this: because of a bad experience in the past, they don’t like taking photos or don’t think they’ll be good at it. By the time I’m done, though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!
Prepping Your Little Ones
Before your session, pack a bag with snacks, water and any small objects (like toys or lollipops) that might help me get their attention when it’s time for them to look at the camera. If they are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. Explain how much the photos mean to you so they know to be on their best behavior. A lot of families discuss and pick something fun in advance as a treat after the session if they’re good listeners, like an ice cream cone, for example. (Bribery often brings the best success!) It also helps if their bellies are full and they’ve had some good rest beforehand. Once you prepare them physically and mentally, then feel free to give them (and you!) grace! They’re little, and I know that some days don’t always go as planned. I’ve seen it all and will do everything I can to get you great photos, regardless of their moods. Our goal is to make this as fun and stress-free as it possibly can be for you and your family!
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