Let your kids be wild at your photoshoot
I think many of us are conditioned to think of family photography as a stressful chore, because we all have memories of our moms snapping at us to smile while dad grumbles in a JC Penny’s photography studio with our hair combed perfectly while a photographer with big lights makes corny jokes that aren’t funny. Photography is not like this anymore if you hire a lifestyle photographer.
Family Photography is an experience! An opportunity to make a fun memory!
My sessions are typically planned in-home or outdoors in a big nature park. I want your family photos to be a fun and memorable experience. You only have so many years with your kiddos under your roof and once they move out and go to college, all you’ll have left is the pictures. So let’s take pictures worth keeping! You tossing your toddler up over your head to get giggles, cuddling with your spouse on a blanket while your kids play around you. My photos are a romanticized version of who your family actually is- snuggly, warm, giggling, intense love! We don’t need to make things look anything except for how they are in your family.
Children don’t like to be told what to do and how to act.
Anyone who’s had a toddler knows this. Allowing children some freedom to explore their surroundings during the shoot provides an opportunity for real smiles and great candid photos of your family playing, interacting and adventuring together. So let your kids run wild in circles, look at flowers, splash in some water. You may notice less tantrums at these photoshoots and more genuine smiles. Even if your husband is the grumpy dad type, he’ll probably have fun too! No one has to look at the camera. I’ll guide and prompt you, but “everyone look at the camera” isn’t quite what I do.
No need to force your children to smile.
I don’t ever make anyone smile, so you don’t need to force your kids to smile. I like to allow each family member to express their individuality, and for some people that means not smiling and that’s okay! Some families are playful, some are more serious or intense and that is great. What I love about humans is that they are all unique and photographing that uniqueness makes my job more interesting. Let your individuality show!