Five Simple Tips & Tricks

Five Simple Tips & Tricks

TIP #1: BOOKING
It’s that time of year! Time for the onslaught of family sessions! Everyone is in a rush to get them done in time for the holidays because pictures make for the best holiday gifts, don’t they? Yes, holiday photos can be taken in the spring/summer time, the sooner the better! However, if you want to wait closer to the holidays you must… Schedule your session NOW!

It sounds simple enough, right? I always get families in mid to late November that email begging me to fit them in. This time of year I book 2 months in advance so contact your photographer and book now! In the end it will cause less stress for both you and your photographer!

TIP #2: OUTFITS
Here is where most of you struggle with for your family session – what the heck are you supposed to wear?!? Here are some tips that will help you decide!

1) Be unique, but be you! I am begging (I’m on my knees pleading with you!) you to NOT wear jeans and white shirts OR black with khaki. That is so 1998, people. Let’s get a little creative here. I tell my clients that they should all compliment each other, but not be too matchy, matchy. I tell them to avoid big logos on t-shirts, but to not be afraid of colors or patterns.
2) If in doubt, email your photographer. Ask them if they have any suggestions for what to wear. I promise you that you will love the results from not being too matchy, matchy!
3) If you’re having a hard time, start with the kids outfits first and then find your outfits. I find that sometimes the kids outfits are the hardest and once you get those picked out you can easily pick out the parents outfits.

TIP #3: TREATING YOURSELF
You’ve found the right photographer. Spent a ton of time picking out the perfect outfits. You’re stressed and worried how your kids will behave, the weather will cooperate, and that your husband will not act like he’s having fun. What next? How about treating yourself! I suggest to ALL moms that they save their next haircut for the day of the shoot. That way their hair looks picture perfect.

And while they are getting their hair done, why not schedule a makeup appointment as well? Not only will that give you the confidence to know you look your best, but it will also make a huge difference in your pictures. It helps your eyes pop, your skin look smooth, and your complexion look great. I always get my makeup professionally done when we have our pictures taken. I’m totally hopeless when it comes to those things! And I absolutely love it when my clients get their makeup done. I can’t even tell you how much time it saves me retouching them and how much more natural it looks than photoshop. If you’re not used to getting your makeup professionally done it can be a little shocking. Ask the makeup artist to go a little lighter than they normally would. I would also suggest going to a professional makeup artist rather than someone in the mall. I’m not saying that the girls in the mall aren’t pros. They are and a lot of them are great. But, when you make a appointment at the counter you never know who you are going to get.

So, treat and pamper yourself on the day of your shoot! I promise you’ll love the results!

TIP #4: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
I love it when my clients pick a location that has special meaning to them. Whether it be the place you and your husband met, where you got engaged, where you like to hang out as a family, even your own home, if it has special meaning to you the pictures are going to be even better. I love hearing the family reminisce about why the spot is special to them. The more I know about a family the more I can do to make the session unique to them. Do you really want to go to the same beach and park as everyone else in your hometown? Make it fun! Make it different!

If you’re military and your special location is in a different state, that is fine too! How about a semi special or a location here that you and your family has become custom too. Like the park for example!

TIP #5: RELAX
I know that family sessions can be stressful. How do I know this? Well, I get emails from my clients telling me how stressed they are but, also I’ve been there! You put a lot of time, and not to mention money, into the perfect session only to have your 16 month old miss her nap and be a cranky, grouchy, & thumb sucking mess. It happens! I should know. It happened to us as well. But, the most important thing is to not stress and go with the flow. If you and your husband stress then that will stress your kids out.

Just have fun!
Do what makes your kids happy and don’t force it. 🙂