Hello & Welcome

Preparing for Your Session
Clothing
Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and
attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant? Chose neutral colors
with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate
blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not
matchy, matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents. Adding fun
accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a modern twist and sassy flair to your images.
Well Rested & Fed
Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. The best time for
lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, talk with your
photographer. Good photographers will be able to shoot at any time of day by utilizing areas of open
shade that will give your skin a beautiful hue and put a sparkle in your eyes. Don’t show up to a photo
shoot on an empty stomach. I meet many families who come to a photo session with dinner scheduled at
the end. If this is your plan, be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot.
Plan Ahead & Save Your Sanity
Moms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family is dressed and ready. I
always encourage mothers to have their hair and makeup professionally done. This will prepare mom for
her pictures and when mom is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well.
Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo
session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra
time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.
For The Gents
Gentlemen, please cheerfully participate. I know that many dads dread the family photo session, but
fathers, please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be left as a legacy,
when your children are grown, with families of their own some day. Family photos are treasured forever and
they are so important. Please, please, gentleman… cheerfully participate in your family photo session.
Once you see your happy wife/significant other and amazing photographs, you will be so glad that you gave
this time to your family.
Cheese is For Crackers
Please, parents… leave the “cheese” at home. Cheese is for crackers. So many times I have found parents
who stand behind the photographer and scream, “Say cheese to the lady kids!” Yelling and demanding
young children to look at the camera to smile will only stress your children out (not to mention the
photographer) and will result in strained, unnatural and often unflattering photographs. Step back, and
allow the photographer to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous
smiles. Help the photographer capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with and
coaxing out those smiles naturally and easily.
Have Fun With Your Family
Don’t be afraid to pick up your children and toss them in the air. Give your wife a sweet kiss on the check.
Tell your husband how much you love him and appreciate him for being there for your family. Have fun.
Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Kiss. Snuggle. Play. Doing these things will allow the photographer to
capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. Leave the stiff “cheese” faces for Aunt Marge at the
next family reunion. Show your photographer who you really are, so that she has the opportunity to capture
your love through her lens. The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is engaged or
interacting with each other. Understand that not every picture needs to have everyone looking at the
camera and smiling at the same time. If you are engaged as a family and loving on each other, your eyes
will be on your family members and your smile with be natural. These are the photographs that you will
cherish most because they depict your family connection and your love.
www.photographybystudioeleven.com
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