Family photoshoots can be exciting and memorable, but they can also come with their fair share of pressure, especially for moms. I know it can be easy to fall into the trap of wanting the photos to be ‘perfect’ and polished, but I’m here to remind you that family photos should embrace the chaos and imperfections. If you spend the time at your session stressing over everyone being perfect and their behavior being ‘just so’, you won’t be able to look back on those photos and feel the love and joy that I know your family naturally has together.
As a Phoenix lifestyle family photographer, I understand the importance of capturing the REAL genuine connections and emotions during these sessions. In this blog, I’ll share six valuable tips to help you enjoy your fall family photoshoot to the fullest, while embracing the beauty of candid moments and celebrating the love that binds your family together (yes – even amidst chaos and imperfection!)
1. Go into the Session Planning to Be the “Fun Mom”
Instead of fretting over picture-perfect poses, embrace the opportunity to be the “fun mom” during the photoshoot. Let your kids be themselves, and allow their personalities to shine through. Interact with them playfully, engage in their games, and cherish the moments of laughter and joy. When you approach the session with a lighthearted and relaxed attitude, your family will feel more at ease, resulting in authentic and heartwarming photographs.
2. Avoid Disciplining Your Kids
It’s natural for parents to want well-behaved children during a photoshoot, but it’s essential to remember that kids will be kids. Honestly, photographing your kids being crazy, defiant and weird (aka, themselves) is one of the most fun parts of my job! Instead of constantly disciplining them to sit still or pose, let them explore and have fun. These candid moments often lead to the most endearing and cherished photographs. Embrace the chaos, and trust that the photographer will capture the magic of your family dynamics.
3. Don’t Worry About What They’re Doing or Not Doing
During the photoshoot, try to release any worries about what your children are or aren’t doing, even if that means they give me some push back and don’t like a prompt or idea I give them. Instead, focus on enjoying the present moment with your family. Remember that children can sense when their parents are stressed, and their own feelings may reflect this. By letting go of your preconceived notions of what a “perfect” session should look or feel like, you get to have an enjoyable experience and that creates space for genuine connections to unfold with everyone in your family.
4. Laugh and Play with Them Whenever You Can
Laughter is contagious and can bring out the most genuine expressions from your loved ones. Take the time to engage in playful activities, such as tickling, running, or playing games together. Not only will this create beautiful memories, but it will also result in radiant smiles and heartwarming photographs that showcase the love and bond within your family. I really love when I get to witness and document a family doing something they love doing together which naturally helps everyone relax and forget that I’m there taking their photos.
5. Focus on How Much You Love Their Silliness and Personalities
As a lifestyle family photographer, I know that capturing the essence of your family is about embracing the uniqueness of each member. Take a step back and observe the little quirks and personalities that make your children who they are. Cherish the silliness, the spontaneity, and the joy they bring to your life. Sometimes a mom will tell me that their favorite photo of their child from a photoshoot, is a little grumpy face they gave me or when they stuck their tongue out and laughed hysterically after that! These authentic moments will be the ones that you’ll cherish forever in the photographs.
6. Let Your Photographer Worry About Corralling Everyone
As a mom, it’s easy to feel responsible for ensuring everyone’s cooperation during the photoshoot. However, by entrusting your photographer to manage the logistics, you free yourself to fully immerse in the moment. Professional photographers have experience working with families and know how to capture the best shots even amidst the playful chaos. Allow them to guide the session while you focus on enjoying the time with your loved ones.
Your family photoshoot this fall should be a delightful experience, filled with laughter, love, and cherished memories. By going into the session as the “fun mom,” embracing your children’s authentic selves, and letting your photographer handle the flow and lead the experience for you all, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable photoshoot. Embrace the joy of the moment, and together, we’ll capture the beauty of your family connections.
If you’re ready to capture your family’s cherished moments, I invite you to explore my Family Portfolio of Images and book your session todayI can’t wait to create timeless photographs that celebrate the love and bond within your family.
