family session guide
This guide is here to help you get prepped, ready and excited for your upcoming family session! I’ll touch on everything you need to know to go into the session feeling confident and ready to get some killer portraits of you and your favourite people. Take a peek at all the tips and tricks I’ve accumulated for you and definitely reach out with any questions you may have!
STYLE
First and foremost, you should feel comfortable in and great about your outfits! Pick something from your closets that you love, and that represents YOUR style – you certainly want to look like your awesome selves during your session, not someone else.
To start, let’s think of the time of year and of course dress for the weather. It will likely be a cool day, so incorporating some extra layers might be a good idea for everyone to stay comfortable. This also usually gets clients thinking of how dressed up they want to be for the session. Know there is no such thing as being overdressed, but be consistent with the family’s comfort level.
Next, know that you do want to coordinate, but be careful not to match completely. Neutrals always work in any background so maybe use one of those as your base. You can add a pop of holiday colour here and there if you want to, especially to match the season. Think about what your other family members will be wearing to the session as well and compliment each other as best you can! The backdrops at the farm will be neutral with the green trees, so adding in festive reds, whites, and other neutral colours to compliment are a great idea for the festive feel!
Solid colours work best, and please be sure not to wear anything that will distract the viewer (ex. bright neon colours, very busy patterns, or large logos on clothing).
You can also take the location of the photos into account and allow that to influence your choices as well! Putting in a small amount of effort before hand will pay off when you see the finished product and how great you will all look! And finally, just a helpful reminder that both your hands and feet with be in a lot of the photos, so don’t neglect your shoe choice, or the opportunity to give yourself a manicure!
Check out some pallets as a good place to start!
EXPECTATIONS
So how do the family sessions work?
They are truly a ton of fun! We’ll hang out at a couple of locations at the tree farm effortlessly working our way through some loosely posed images, chatting away documenting some fun as we go!
Sessions last 25 minutes and I ask that you please arrive on time so that the sessions after you are not effected.
Your gallery will be up and ready for you within 5 days of your session, available to download and save on your own devices.
POSING
Let me start off this section by telling you that this is the number one fear of clients going into a family session, but it is the one thing that you definitely don’t have to worry about!
I can’t tell you how often I hear that clients haven’t been in front of a lens before, don’t like being there, and are worried about looking awkward. I think I hear it every single time, which is TOTALLY normal! It’s not your job to be a model, but it is your job to be yourself.
Take the pressure off your shoulders and know that I won’t lead you guys astray.
Everyone needs a little bit of guidance in terms of where to stand, how to highlight your best features and of course how to work with the setting. I’m really chatty through the sessions and will definitely help you get the hang of these things the entire time we’re together. By the time we hit the halfway mark, you’ll all be total pros!
Although I’m sure it’s easier then it sounds, I want you guys to be yourselves! If there’s a joker in the group, I’d love for them to crack some jokes...if you guys are really cuddly, snuggle up! Even though you have me tagging along, I love to get to know my families as they are in everyday life...and being yourself will naturally shine through your portraits every time!
Family sessions are nothing short of a good time, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help you all feel at ease, look your best and bring out those true personalities...hopefully wanting the session to go on a little bit longer. Don’t worry about kids acting out, looking the right direction or needing a break. If there are little ones in the group, I’ll work at their pace - just like you, they’ll warm up to the camera in no time!
If you have any hesitations, any minor insecurities or worries going into the session - I’d love to chat about them beforehand. Getting the most out of your session and ensuring you all have the best time possible is my number one priority!
So let any posing nerves be gone! Let’s have some fun and make some awesome images that capture the true nature of your dynamic!
FINAL TIPS
Parents - If you have young ones it’s sometimes a good idea to bring along a favourite toy or two in case we need them!
Feel free to talk to them about the session and why I will be joining you on the farm! It might help them be a bit more comfortable with me from the get-go, but hopefully they will warm up to me either way.
Hopefully by this point you’re more excited then you were before and you’re feeling prepped and ready to go! I’m truly so thrilled I was chosen to help you update your family portraits!
Of course, if there are any additional questions please drop me a line! If not, let’s go have some fun!!
- Lauren