Do you have a love/hate relationship with having your family pictures taken?!? As a mom, I LOVE having the beautiful memories captured, but the process can be stressful when I have less than cooperative family members ruining my perfect pictures. I’m going to share some tips today on how to Enjoy, not just ENDURE family pictures.
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My name is Kristen Duke, and besides being a mama to 4 fabulous children and wife to one handsome husband (who may loathe having pictures taken) I’m a professional photographer and DIY-er over at Capturing Joy.
Amy is one of my most favorite bloggers, an inspiration to me in many ways, who introduced me to this creative blogging world. I’m delighted to be here today, along with sharing family picture tips on several other blogs, so make sure you check out the links at the bottom of this post.
I’ve photographed lots and lots of families over the past 10 years, and let me tell you–it’s pretty standard that most of the husbands dread it, and the kids don’t generally like to sit still long enough to capture the winning shot. It’s my job as a photographer to have some tricks up my sleeve, but it’s your job as mama (most of you I’m guessing are women) to relax because we all know if mom is stressed, it reflects on everyone else. I know what it is like on both sides of the camera, and let me just tell you that your family is not the only one with rowdy children–it’s totally normal!
Here are some tips to enjoy your photo session more:
Before the Session
- I suggest to my clients to tell the kids about something fun such as going out for ice cream after a photo session, in hopes it will
bribeentice them enough to cooperate for a little bit. - I’ve started offering petite sessions (15-20 minutes) because many children just don’t have the endurance to smile and “behave well” for the full hour that most photographers spend. Yes, it takes weeks leading up to it, and hours that day getting ready, but you don’t need a full hour to capture greatness.
- Ask your husband (with batted, puppy dog eyes) to please help you relax and tame the children, and cooperate himself. Grumpy dads really sour the whole mood. They aren’t all bad, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the smiling cooperative husbands out there (Amy’s being one of them, below)
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During the session
- If your photographer is snapping your kids individually or all your kids by themselves (without you), sometimes it’s best to just walk away and let them work their magic without you hovering.
- Don’t be critical of your kids and how they look, only build them up.
- Do not threaten them or hang the ice cream incentive constantly over their heads. It will likely stress them out more.
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Just have Fun!
I know moms want the standard posed pictures, I do, too! However, I like to encourage taking FUN pictures, more candid in nature, kids (and dads) love it so much! One of the best compliments I can get is hearing a dad say at the end, “That wasn’t so bad, that was actually FUN!” Do you have a favorite treat such as cupcakes that would be fun to eat at the end of your session, and have in pictures, too? Do you like to play tag or another game? Does your toddler love “ring around the Rosie?” Capture this FUN in your session, and you will be happy to have those moments frozen in time. Below are some candid, FUN pictures:
{To see more images of these sessions: My family; cupcakes on the beach by Shari Hanson//Whisper Laughing//Quilt in the Air//Water Splashing//Kids smiling}
I hope this has some helpful tips about enjoying the photo session more.
Do you have Family Picture Sessions on the brain this fall? I’d love to help you out!
Join me today at these other sites on the web for more inspiration with Taking Family Pictures:
Infarrantly Creative–Decorate with Pictures
Capturing Joy–What to Wear for Family Portraits
The Idea Room–How to Enjoy and Not Just Endure Family Pictures
The House of Smiths–The Best Backdrops and Settings for Family Photos
Capturing Joy–How to Take your Own Family Pictures
{If the direct links above don’t work, click on the home page}
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web page says
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a
nice blog like this one these days.
Alicia Johnson @ Tampa wedding photographer says
Very great tips! Just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Amy says
Glad it helped you out! Kristen really does a great job!