5 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY PHOTO SESSION
My top 5 tips for you to rock your family photo session this year!
You don’t need to be pregnant or have a baby to enjoy a family photo session, in fact, 90% of the families choose November as “the month for family photos” and because of that, as a family photographer I want to share with you my top five tips for you to have amazing family photos that are true to your family without looking cheesy!
Here are my top 5 suggestions
1. Do what your family likes to do in real life
This one is for me a very important one, if your family is crazy about the beach, do your session at the beach so you can look back at these photos 20 years from now and feel all the joy of these days. If your kids are into baseball, plan your session around that theme so it feels real and authentic to your family. With appropriate planning and advice, you can take great photos of doing what you love without much of an effort.
2. Plan ahead of time
This one may feel evident but it is not. Five days in advance is not enough, you will need time to plan what to wear and find Pinterest inspirations, you also need to consider maybe talking to a couple of photographers to see which one fits your needs best, etc
To make sure you get to work with the photographer you love you will need to book the session day at least a month in advance, so start early and also enjoy the process!
3. Find a photographer that specializes in designing your dream session This one is super important, I know the price is always the first question when you are inquiring with a photographer but I can tell you it is not the most important question to ask!
If you are hiring a professional photographer, taking the time to get ready, go through the trouble of convincing your husband to say yes to this project, buy new clothes for the kids, etc., you better find a photographer that can make all that worth the effort!
Here are some questions that can help you qualify photographers:- How much experience you have photographing families?
– How much experience do you have photographing little kids?
– Do you charge by time? What if takes longer than expected to get my family comfortable in front of your camera?
– How long will it take before I see the final photos?
– Do you normally print your client’s photos?
– Will you allow me to reschedule in case something happens that day?
4. Dress accordingly
I am telling you this one based on my own experience (not just as a Miami family photographer), I thought jeans and plain t-shirts would be enough to make my beautiful family look wonderful in our photo session and I didn’t bother to test the combinations before the big day… it was a disaster
Talk to your photographer about what you are thinking of wearing, send snaps of the outfits for approval/ advice, try them ahead of time, etc. Don’t just trust your eyes for this big moment because, again, you want to look back at these days and feel good about them!
5. Print BIG
You probably won’t understand this one if you don’t have some visual reference for it, but I need to mention it because after all of the above this is the one that will ensure your family enjoys these moments forever! Big prints vs small prints are the same thing as exchanging a big warm family hug vs a little cold professional one!
I have noticed that my kids love big photographs on our walls because it makes them feels important and loved. When you print a big canvas of your family you are saying that being together is important, you allow them to walk into the room and feel the love & connection no matter how tough was the day!
Trust me on this one and you won’t regret it!
Here is the link to my Instagram so you can get inspired!
http://www.instagram.com/Lisset_galeyev
Thank you,
Lisset G
