Family photos are some of the most precious photos you can take. Walking past them on your wall and admiring how tall your toddler has gotten. Scrolling past them in your favorites album and wondering how your ten year old is now a driving teenager. Taking family photos gives you so much to look back on and cherish. But getting there? That can sometimes be the most stressful part.
As a family photographer in Gilbert, Arizona and as a mama of two very energetic littles, I know the amount of work that goes into making sure you get everyone out the door, in the right outfits, hair done and smiling all at once! Whether you have a family session soon or you’re a type A mama like me just trying to prep for any and every possibility, this post is for you! I’m here to share how you can prepare for your next family photoshoot with less stress and more smiles!
1. Decide on a color scheme
This one’s for you mama. My biggest advice when planning outfits for family photos is…NO MATCHING! Okay okay, I don’t want to sound harsh. I actually love matching and think there’s some really awesome times to match for photos. But if you’re wanting those scroll-stopping, jaw-dropping, stunning photos you’ve always dreamed of then you need to try this instead.
Choose 2-3 colors that you want everyone to wear and find outfits that coordinate, but don’t necessarily match. I generally prefer more neutral and muted colors like white, beige, taupe, sage green, dusty pink, and rust. If you prefer more pop, you can always add in a touch of a brighter color that fit your taste. As long as you stick to your color scheme, you’ll be set!
Making sure everyone’s wearing the 2-3 colors can ensure less stress on all fronts. Each person will have some freedom with their outfit choice. Teenagers and toddlers alike will feel like they have some control over these photos. When doing this, make sure to give your kids some options! Look in their closet, pick some outfits that you approve of already and go with your color scheme, then set them out and have your child pick (it's a win-win). This way, you still get a say in everyone's outfits while also giving your children some autonomy, so there's no power struggles! Depending on your child, you can even give options of bows, headbands, hairstyles, shoes, jackets, etc.
Pro-tip: bring a back-up just in case they change their mind last minute or in case of any accidents - you never really know how that random stain gets on their shirt on the drive from your house to the location.
If you’re like me and make any excuse for a new dress, you could make this a fun activity with your older child too! Take them out and make it a scavenger hunt to find an outfit in the colors for the pictures. They feel like they can show off their unique style, they get new clothes, and you get happier kids on the day of!
To make life even easier, every one of my clients gets a free style guide when they book their family session. It includes details covering color scheme ideas, layering, the importance of location, and more!
2. Prep your family beforehand
While surprises are good for parties, they tend to not be as good when it comes to photos. From toddler to teenager, I believe talking to your family about when, where, and how long you’ll be taking photos keeps everyone on the same page and helps people prepare. You can even put it in your family calendar so everyone can see—I just got a Skylight Calendar and it has been the BEST purchase to keep all our calendars, chores, grocery lists, and meals all in one place!
For your younger children, explain the process to them. Tell them that you’ll be taking photos just like mom does at home, but instead someone else will take the photos and they’ll have a really cool camera. Every photographer is different, but if kids are curious I don’t mind letting them check out my camera so they can see that it’s not so scary and can be really fun!
Older kiddos need warnings as well. While they’re more likely to understand how taking photos works (cue teenage eye roll), you can explain to them where you’re going and how long you’ll be there. You can even talk about any questions or concerns they have around family photos. This will hopefully result in less questioning about “why” you’re doing this–but sorry, no guarantees on that one!
Don’t forget to tell your significant other too! While I love taking photos, my husband is not a huge fan. We like to talk about the process too and tend to talk about how we can help one another make sure we all have a good time!
3. Bring bribes
If I’m being honest, I’m not a huge fan of bribes in general. However, when it comes to it, sometimes you do what you got to do in order to get those smiles! I typically try everything else to get natural laughs before getting the snacks out, but if it’s the last leg and kids are starting to be over it, I’ll cue the parents to bring out the bribes. This usually gives us a chance to grab a few last-minute poses and smiles!
Here’s a few ideas of treats you can bring to your next photoshoot:
- Fruit snacks
- Mini marshmallows
- Teddy Grahams
- Mini pretzels
- Cheerios
(Try to avoid treats that melt...you'll thank me later!)
4. Plan a special outing afterwards
Make family photos a whole event! I don't know about you, but when I know there's going to be food at an event then I am 99% more likely to show up. Sometimes an incentive can help bring more smiley faces during the photoshoot and give everyone something to look forward to.
If your family photoshoot is in Downtown Gilbert, plan to grab some dinner at Joe’s BBQ or some yummy prickly pear ice cream at Topo’s. You can also go relax and catch a movie or play arcade games at FatCats in Gilbert or Mesa. If you need something refreshing, stop by Soda Rush at one of their many East Valley locations. Whether big or small, celebrate how fantastic you all did with a treat and some quality family time!
5. Go with the flow & let the memories be made
This one’s a bit easier said than done, but go with the waves of family photos. There will be times where everyone is smiling and things are going great, then times when your little one would rather run down the cool big hill than smile “one more time”. Don’t fret because I’ve found that some of the best photos are found amidst the chaos!
During this rose garden maternity photoshoot in Mesa, this sweet little girl was full of so much energy and just wanted to explore all the pretty flower bushes around her–can you blame her?? So instead of trying to have her free spirit sit down, we ran with it…literally! I had her run back and forth between me and her parents and we were able to get some of the most precious shots! After that, she was able to roam free again with dad while I snapped some gorgeous solo shots of her glowing mama and baby brother.
So there you have it! Five tips to help you prepare for your next family photoshoot with confidence.
Have your own photoshoot hacks? Share them with me below! I love hearing what works for you and your family.
