Family Portraits: Tips from the Pros

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I saw on Facebook yesterday that there are less than 10 weekends left before Christmas.  Insert panic here. Forget gifts, food and decorating….I don’t have a clue what to do for my Christmas Cards!  We’ve gotten lucky the past few years by scheduling our family portraits in the Fall, allowing them to double as our Christmas cards.

But luckily,  I happen to know several amazing family photographers.  And they were willing to ease some of my anxiety with some tips on planning for my holiday cards.  I compiled their answers into an easy-to-read guide on getting ready for your family portraits.

 1)  Choose the right photographer.  

The photos will last a lifetime, so do your research.  Find a photographer who not only fits your budget, but also personality and style.  It’s worth the splurge if you can find the right match for your family.  Try to have your family {especially kids and pets} meet the photographer before your actual session.  Your photographer should want to have a relationship with you and your family…everyone should look forward to photo sessions and have fun in front of {and behind!} the camera.  If a photographer does not seem passionate about photographing your family, it may not be a match.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Seat Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the middle of a family shot
Rachel Weber Photography

If you find the perfect photographer but their sessions are a bit out of your price range, feel free to negotiate a little.  Ask for mid-week, off-hour sessions rather than popular dates and times.  Plan ahead, and schedule Christmas shoots for earlier in the year when photographers won’t be scrambling to fit tons of shoots in.  Or, you could even ask for a mini-session for Christmas cards…which will be a shorter session, and less shots to choose from, but still has the potential to get you your card image!  If you have an item or service to trade, offer a barter for a discount…remember that photographers own their own businesses too.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Use pastel colors and complimentary patterns for beach wardrobe
The Camera Queen

2)  Don’t stress about your wardrobe.

The photo should be about capturing the love between your family, not all about the clothes.  So have your family wear complementing colors, and outfits that are comfortable and simple.  Amy from Flowertown in Focus Photography wants everyone to be comfortable because she likes to have kids moving around, and sometimes will ask families to lay down in a pile of leaves or sit in the grass.

jn Hendricks Photography

Jenn from JC Photography encourages families to stay away from vertical stripes, baggy or overly tight clothes, and colors that don’t flatter your skin tone.  Most photographers have enough experience, that they can give families some ideas on wardrobe colors once the location is chosen.

Family Portraits: Tips from the Pros-A simple prop can give a subtle nod to holiday photos
Flowertown in Focus Photography

Thia from The Camera Queen loves having her families wear whites, reds and browns if there can be trees in the background for an instant holiday feel during a photo session.  She discourages whites at the beach {pastels are better} because reflections and the glare off the water makes photography difficult, unless the timing of the light is perfect.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Simple props make a big difference
The Camera Queen

3)  Have just a few ideas on setups.

Got a prop in mind?  Bring it.  But also let your photographer know what kind of style of photos you are interested in {i.e. super casual, formal group, indoor, outdoor, etc.}  You may even have some recommendations on combination of people in shots….i.e. Grandpa holding youngest grandson, just siblings, etc.  But let the professional do their job, follow their directions, and don’t worry if “your pose” doesn’t work out.  Odds are, your photographer got even better shots than you imagined.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Simple props make a big difference
jn Hendricks Photography

Rachel from Rachel Weber Photography loves capturing candid shots of siblings while they are touching and interacting with one another, even if they are driving one another other crazy! Even so, most of the time the photographer will be able to get some  “true” smiles during play.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Let kids horseplay in order to get real smiles
Rachel Weber Photography

Thia from The Camera Queen will sometimes bring a small prop that may be interesting to the children, and capturing their expressions as they interact with the prop can lead to priceless photos.  Silly props can also lead to “true” smiles and end in fun Christmas cards.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Simple and silly props allow for fun holiday cards
JC Photography

Have a location in mind?  Great, but check with your photographer for hidden challenges {i.e. lighting, temperature, mud, etc.}  Some of these photographers’ favorite locations are Colonial Dorchester State Park, Morris Island, Mepkin Abbey, and Downtown Charleston/Summerville {or anywhere with quaint shops, brick buildings and cobblestone streets!}.  But even if you can find a field, a path in the woods, or an old shed….the possibilities can be endless with simple backgrounds.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Look for texture like wood, brick or stone for an interesting background
JC Photography

4)  Come prepared.

No one will judge you if you bring bribes for your kids/pets/husband.  Make sure everyone is fed and well-rested beforehand.  Try not to schedule shoots during the heat of the day or during nap time.  Try to make outfits as comfortable as possible, and think about bringing drinks or handheld fans to keep everyone cool in between shots.  Thia from The Camera Queen likes to pull annoyed tweenagers away from the family for a moment, to promise them a quick photo session in exchange for a few minutes of smiles and cooperation….conversations that can happen away from the pressure of parents make all the difference in teenage attitude.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: A Simple prop {book}, a symbolic background object {tree} and pops of red {lips and bows} for a subtle holiday twist
Don’t Blink Photography

Jessica from jn Hendricks Photography loves photographing families actually interacting with their pets, so bringing a ball, a toy or a leash is a must.  Playing with Fido for a few minutes before the shoot may tire him out just enough for him to sit still for a formal photo too.   Jenn from JC Photography suggests having backup outfits for toddler grass stains or potty training accidents and pet rollers for dog hair {and don’t wear black!!}.

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Make animal noises and pull out a bacon bit to get a pet to look at the camera
Don’t Blink Photography

 5) Don’t Make the Photographer Mad!

Everybody has pet peeves…even photographers!  Pinterest seems to be a big one…although photographers appreciate you looking on Pinterest for inspiration, wardrobe ideas and overall “looks,” please keep in mind that photographers are artists.  They each have their own photography style…and it won’t be the same as a session that you’ve seen on Pinterest.  Let them do their thing!  You did your job by getting everyone dressed and arriving at the photo location {on time}.  Your job is done…now let the photographer take over and be the judge of what precious moments to capture!

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Look for texture like wood, brick or stone for an interesting background
JC Photography

Stay off of your cell phone!  Be in the moment, relax and enjoy your family…and the pictures will be wonderful.  Cell phone use and “back up photographers” {aka visiting mother-in-laws, etc.} are highly distracting to the professional photographer.  Please don’t try to snap shots of your kids with your phone or a personal camera during your session..you are paying big bucks for the pro to do it!

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Stay off your phone during a professional photo session!
The Camera Queen

Look at the camera.  Don’t worry about what the baby is doing,  where the dog is looking, or if your kids are giving each other rabbit ears.  The photographer can see all of that too, and will say or do something to capture everyone’s attention for the formal photo.  If you look down at one of the kids, Murphy’s Law says that YOU will be the one that ruins that “perfect” shot!

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Parents, don't look at your kids....look at the camera! Don't be the one that ruins the shot
Rachel Weber Photography

Be patient AFTER the shoot.  Whitney from Don’t Blink Photography takes extreme care to process and edit all of her shots.  Not to mention uploading and getting them to you.  And since most photographers shoot mostly in the mornings, evenings and weekends {and still have their own families!}, it takes some time to get your portraits back.  Be patient…it will all be worth it!

Family Photo Tips from the Pros: Keep wardrobe patterns simple
JC Photography

And finally, accept your family for who they are.   Everyone has high expectations for their family portraits, but please be realistic!  Kids will not always behave, babies won’t always smile, outfits won’t stay clean.  Let the photographer call the shots, be prepared, and remember that the photo should {literally!} be a snapshot of your life as a family.  And no one’s life is perfect!

Palmettos and Pigtails Signature

 Thanks to these amazing photographers who were nice enough to give me their thoughts {and photos} for this post!  Please check out their sites and book ASAP for your family portraits..spots for this holiday season are scarce!