As a mom of three, I know how challenging preparing for a family photo session with your crew can feel but it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips on how best to prepare for a family session that is fun and stress-free.

When Choosing outfits, think comfort first, then style.

At your family session, you are going to be playing with your kids, sitting on the ground, walking hand in hand, snuggling, etc. First and foremost you want to be comfortable! You want to avoid very restrictive clothing or clothing that constantly has to be adjusted. It is important to look your best but you can look great and still feel comfortable in what you are wearing. For children, be sure they are wearing something they can freely run around in and that the feel of the fabric is comfortable and not scratchy.

Don’t forget the shoes!

I remember the night I went schlepping to Target at 8:30PM on a Wednesday night because my daughter didn’t have shoes to wear to her chorus concert at school the next day. Sometimes, life gets busy and even with the best intentions, we forget to have our kids try the shoes on only to realize that they don’t fit! So unless you have a beach session planned where you will likely be barefoot, don’t forget to include a comfortable pair of shoes that is appropriate for your photo session location.

Plan your session on a day when you don’t have a bunch of other commitments.

I get it! We are all so BUSY! Yes, I know things come up and sometimes it is unavoidable but I highly recommend not trying to squeeze in your session in the single hour you have on a Saturday between your son’s soccer game and your daughter’s 4 hour long dance competition. You will feel rushed and your kids will be exhausted.

Arrive on time but not too early.

Timing is super important for photographers using natural light which is why it’s imperative to be on time for your session. However, I recommend arriving no earlier than 5-10 minutes before your scheduled family session. This gives you time to get your kids out of the car to stretch their legs, maybe have a snack and drink, and explore just enough. Too much time and everyone starts getting restless.

Don’t forget the snacks.

If your kids are anything like mine, they must have some kind of sensor built into their little bodies that tell them anytime they enter the car, they must have a snack. It doesn’t matter if they just ate a few minutes before. It doesn’t matter if it’s only a 5 minute drive to where we are going. Pack dry snacks that won’t stain clothing or little mouths.

Allow your kids to be kids.

Many parents often share with me the worry of not knowing how their kids are going to behave. My job is to capture your family being yourselves and enjoying each other’s company. So let your kids be silly, run around, and play! You will look back fondly on these fleeing moments that define their childhood.

Change your mindset.

Think of the session as just a normal fun day out with your family because really that is what it is! Remember you are not just showing up to pose and smile at the camera. You are creating lifelong memories with your family. So I want you to just relax and have fun and I will be there to capture it all.