FAMILY

Picture Perfect

8 Family Photo Tips

by BELLA NOLEN

The vibrant autumn leaves and cooler, more cooperative temps mean it’s the prime time to schedule a family photo session—especially as the holiday season approaches. Below are some tips from local photographers to ensure a stress-free, enjoyable session.

1 | Schedule early on There’s nothing more stressful than being pressed for time. “Fall is the busiest time of year for family photo sessions,” says Amber Shoop Felts from Shoop’s Photography (shoopsphotography.com). In other words, the early bird gets the worm when planning family photo sessions. Booking early can also help in case of bad weather or the need to reschedule. As for the photos, “You will want to allow about two weeks lead time on your session delivery,” says Erica Baldwin from Erica Baldwin Photography (ericabaldwinphotography. com), which is particularly important to note if you’re planning on using any portraits for holiday cards.

2 | Choose accordingly There are plenty of photographers and packages available and no one-size-fitsall for every family, says Felts. Before booking, do some research—what kind of style does the photographer offer? If you’re interested in someone, schedule a time to talk, and see if you feel comfortable with them. Also, be sure to “read the fine print,” says Felts. When looking over packages, note that some sessions are mini sessions, which tend to be 30 minutes max. Knowing what you’ve signed up for and with whom will help ease additional stress when planning for a session.

3 | Location, location, location Think about where you want to go, the terrain, and the critters we share our environment with. Also, take into consideration private property, required permits, and trespassing, advises Felts. It’s also not a bad idea to bring separate pairs of shoes, like flip-flops, if a lot of walking is involved from one spot to another, says Denise Reason from Photography for a Reason (photographyforareason.com).

4 | Coordinate but don’t match Avoid matching outfits, and instead, choose one main color and “loosely fit all clothing into it—mixing patterns and solids,” says Baldwin. You can still mix patterns and solids, but make sure they match the color palette. If you’re unsure where to start with wardrobe, then here’s a tip from Audrey Perez from Audrey Perez Photography (audreyperez.com): Start with Mom’s outfit and have the rest of the family build from there.

5 | It’s all in the details After a color has been decided on, don’t forget the details. Consider “socks, clean shoes, ironed clothes, [and] neutral nail polish,” says Perez. Be thorough when putting outfits together, since the little things can make for a fantastic result. Another great idea is to use layers to your advantage. Jackets, sweaters, scarves, and hats make for more exciting, eye-catching photos. Also, “don’t forget about jewelry

and shoes,” says Baldwin. For accessories, think about fun boots with print, suspenders, bowties, hair bows, or flower wreaths for younger boys and girls. “If you have a great old quilt from Grandma—bring it!”

6 | Comfort counts Think about your location and what that entails. “When I shoot a session, we move around a lot, because it keeps children entertained and happy,” says Perez. Wear comfortable shoes, stay away from itchy clothes, and always be prepared for what the weather will be like (cold, windy, warm), advises photographer Mita Rathod from Moments by Mita (momentsbymita.com).

7 | Will smile for snacks “For the best smiles, keep [kids] comfortable,” says Reason. No one is having fun if they’re hungry, so Reason advises eating beforehand to avoid a case of the grumps and bringing snacks. In fact, bribery never hurt anyone and has proven to be effective in a lot of shoots, encourages photographer Rathod. So, keep the kiddos happy and keep a snack on hand!

8 | Have fun This is a photo shoot—have some fun! You don’t need to aim for perfection, and in the end, candid photos can often be better than posed photos, says Felts. The kids will appreciate less fuss, and it will be much easier to get them to smile if they’re having fun. Another option to create a low-stress environment? Get the kids excited by doing one of their requested poses. For example, let them do “silly faces or a [pose] with their favorite stuffed animal,” suggests Reason. In the end, it’s all about having fun!