5 tips to prepare for your family session

Tip 1: Prepare all clothes, props or anything that you want included in your session beforehand so you are not scrambling the night before or the day of. There is nothing worse than planning out outfits the night before and then realizing that you are missing something or you have the wrong size for someone ( I’m speaking from personal experience) so ensure that everything is planned out and ironed or steamed so that way when you are getting ready for your session all you have to do is get everyone dressed and go.

Tip 2: Plan to arrive early. Children are notorious for being on their own schedule and it is so helpful to give yourself some extra buffer time. This will ensure that you are less stressed and more likely to enjoy your session! I feel like other parents will be able to relate to this, but if I am running late then all hell breaks loose with my kids. So I always try to arrive early to something if I am bringing my kiddos.

Tip 3: Bring your child’s favorite (non messy- if there is such a thing) snacks and any toys that you can use as bribery and possibly have the photographer hold to get your child’s attention.

Tip 4: Let your photographer know of any music or shows your kiddos like that that the photographer can play on their phone or your phone. This usually helps to grab their attention and potentially make them happy and smile! I have done this in so many of my family sessions as well as with my own children and it works so well.

Tip 5: Go with the flow! I say this, but really take this with the grain of salt and keep in mind that this is for your own sanity. Children rarely do everything that we ask of them all of the time. So expect that they may not follow every direction that you or the photographer give them and that they may not be smiling in every picture. Try your best to just be in the moment with them and the rest of your family so that way when you look back on your photographs you have beautiful memories of the time spent together.

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How to prepare for your in home lifestyle session

In home photos are so special and really freeze a moment in time of what this period looked like in your house and for your family.  These stages of our life seem to go so quickly when we look back on them, especially during the newborn phase.  We may miss all of those ordinary but beautiful pieces that make up our life during these stages. The in home session aims to capture those pieces as they are so you can hold on to this precious period of your life.  That being said, there are a few things you can do to prepare for our time together that will ensure we make the best photographs possible.  

• Keeping the house a little warmer for the new babes will ensure that they are comfortable and are in good spirits for their session.

• Making sure babes are fed and changed prior to the session will help the session go smoother.

• If you have a toddler or other older kiddos, see if you can coordinate their nap time and snack time before the session. Keep non messy snacks and favorite toys close by as they will be very useful during the session.

• Tidying up any non permanent or distracting items in the areas of the house we will be in will save time during the session.

• Wearing clothing that makes you and your family feel comfortable, as this will reflect in the photos.

• Being a mom of two, I know things do not go exactly to plan and the list above may not be possible. It is okay, we have 2-3 hours together and the session will be baby led, so please don’t worry if things do not go smoothly. We will take our time and get the pictures!

I look forward to working with you and your family to preserve these precious memories!