Have you had your family portraits taken yet this year? I know how crazy it is to get everything ready for the session and then get everyone to cooperate while there. Here are 3 things I’d like to recommend when having your family portraits taken:
1) Find a photographer that fits your style.
Before you select a photographer, take a look at their recent work. Most photographers have blogs that update regularly. You can get a feel for their style by their work. If they show a lot of candids and you want more posed, send an email and ask them their philosophy on posed shots….and vice versa. I recently heard from a former client who moved out of state that her photographer only wanted to do posed shots, and she felt she missed some precious moments of interaction because she wasn’t interested in capturing the candid.
Do research, interview, but really their blogs should give you and idea of their style. Discuss with your photographer what you’d like to see from the session. All posed/smiling….family laughter….walking shot…playful shots….let them know if you have seen some shots that you love, but don’t expect them to get the same exact thing. Also in that research, read the investment page. Photographers are all over the map when it comes to pricing. Just because a “good” photographer in Delaware charges $100 and gives you the disc of everything, doesn’t mean a photographer of similar caliber does that in California.
2) Really PLAN what you wear.
Yes, it can be pain staking, but your hard work will be worth it in the end. Decide if you want your portraits to be casual or dressy, classic or trendy. Think of all the outfits you choose for your family as one big outfit. Mom–start with you (you are the hardest to please anyway, right?). What color and style looks best on you? Pick that and plan everyone else around you. Have dad in a different color. If you have a small baby, who will probably hold the baby the most? Mom? If so, have the baby in a different color as well so you won’t be blended together.
Choose a neutral (denim is also a neutral in this case) and then add a couple of accent colors that will complement each other and use variations of those colors with the family members. Use the 3 color rule – it’s best to limit the bolder colors to 3. Stick with solids, or simple coordinating patterns. Layers (jackets, hats, scarves, jewelry) and texture add richness to the portrait.
Your shoes will likely be in some of the photos, so make sure they compliment your outfit. Match your socks to your pants so they don’t stand out. Another thing to keep in mind is where you plan to hang your portrait art. Will the clothing you’ve chosen complement the colors in the room? (I am in love with the women’s shirt/skirt below).
Lay it out on the floor and look at the clothes as a whole to see what touches of color you may need to add. The easiest is to throw in accessories like a headband or necklace to give a splash of color quick. Also, don’t be afraid to get crafty. The orange dress my baby is wearing above had pink and blue buttons on the straps. I cut them off and put brown on instead, and it was the perfect touch! Think outside of what you are given on the racks at the store.
3) Parents–Just Relax!
Of course you want your children all smiling perfectly, behaving wonderfully for the photographer. But the more stressed you are, the more stresssed your children will be. Let the photographer take the lead on getting them relaxed and looking. Just know that as crazy as your kids may be behaving for the photographer, they’ve likely seen worse. Oh, the stories I could tell! Really, don’t be embarresed that your kids aren’t cooperating, it’s pretty normal. If they want to cuddle on your shoulder, let them!
Take a walk if you need to, but the worst thing you can do is threaten them to smile. A good photographer will talk to them, ask questions to get them to laugh and get that true joy. If you have ideas or songs that you know your child will love, sing them to help bring smiles. I always say that planning to get a special treat after the session is good bribery encouragement. :) If anything, dads often have the hardest time with that natural smile. Sometimes, they also need incentive (or a tickle from the kids) to relax.
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Sa-Sea Boutique says
LOVE IT!!!!!!! PLEASE DO TELL WHERE THE YELLOW WOMENS OUTFIT IS FROM!!!! I HAVE FAMILY PICS COMING UP IN A WEEK!
Thank you very, very much! We are getting portraits taken in a couple of weeks and your advice is perfect!
~Ilsa
Seriously love that yellow shirt/skirt combo!
Thank you so so so much! We're getting our pictures taken this weekend and these tips will help out a lot!
Great tips.
I was wondering if you have any special tips for newborn pictures. I'm having a little one in a few months… I know to make sure he's fed. I've heard that the room should be really warm, do you have any other tips and or suggestions? I'm also wondering about how to incorporate different textures? I've seen lots of cute baby girl pictures with big bows and flowers, but I'm having a boy…
This will be my first baby having a dslr. I'm excited. Any tips would be great :)
Yes Kristen!! Please do tell where those yellow/gray/white outfits are from!! Inquiring minds would love to know!
We just had some family pictures taken and it took me at least 2 days and lots of planning to decide what outfits we would wear based on where the pictures would be taken and where they will be hanging in our home! I'd love to know, for next time, where you found the family outfits and color palette ideas! Thanks!
Well said. I am not a pro photographer but I have friends ask me to do their family pictures. Things go much better if the parents don't get too worried about whether their child is smiling or not. It takes a minute for the child(ren) to get to know me…usually I know the parents but not the kids that well…but once they do they usually open up with a smile. With this said, I have to restrain myself as a parent not to get to picky on my kids. It is not easy to do when you have invested a lot in the pictures from scheduling {aka juggling naps and when everyone is going to be the happiest}, to buying/coordinating a wardrobe, to booking the photographer.
This is amazing, love it! You are not only talented as a photographer, but such a dynamic teacher.
Nicole did some research and found the yellow shirt outfit. Unfortunately, it is from last spring and they are sold out….I bet the crafty bloggers could whip up this outfit easily….I will gladly accept the package in the mail when that happens;) Size medium, please!
we need to know where that skirt and shirt is from!
I just have to say I LOVE these posts you do with Kristen Duke. The women have impeccable talent. I learn something new every post. Now I still claim to know nothing about photography but a tip here and there will come to mind when I have the camera in hand. Thank you Amy for sharing such wonderful talent!!
I should have held out a bit longer. We had our pictures taken 3 days before you posted this. I will definately save this for next year! Thank you so much for the tips.
Thanks for sharing these tips! Any suggestions for a family with 3 little boys and a husband and wife of different skin tones? I feel like the colour options for clothing is very limited…