Finding a time and remembering to book your family photo session is just the beginning. Often times orchestrating family photos including finding outfits for everyone can feel a tad daunting. Let’s talk about some easy steps to follow to help prepare for family photos this year.

Pick a location in the Iowa City area

The first step is to decide what type of photos and what type of vibe you are drawn to. This could be different for each session or each year you schedule your family photos. This year more than ever, candid and playful photography, is even more well represented in photography world. More family sessions that are in the driveway, at the park/playground, at home, at the local ice cream shop etc. It’s important to think of what type of location your family would feel most comfortable. Would your kids be more authentic if they were in wide open outdoor spaces? Or would they love to have a morning or evening together enjoying a picnic and playing on the swings. Location is really a personal choice and of course I can help. If you are considering a “classic”/traditional outdoor session, I have THIS BLOG that gives info about some of my fave outdoor locations.

Pick activities that you may want to include

This step is one that I am really trying to encourage more families to think about and brainstorm (and fill out on my questionnaire). Having an activity or a “prop” incorporated into your session will set your family more at ease. (And I don’t mean a chair). The props can be super simple i.e. picnic food, kites, donuts, bubbles, a guitar, take-out (pizza, chinese) etc. Activities could include anything that your family enjoys doing together. Here is a long list of ideas (I am not going to list them all here). All of us feel more comfortable and natural when we are given something to do together (other than “smile at the camera”). For families that love being outdoors, this may simply be collecting wildflowers or dandelions or dipping toes in a creek. For the artsy family, this may include family tie dye or crafting. And if your family loves eating, then enjoy some grub together! Think about what type of activities you see your kids doing that they love.

Pick outfits/what to wear

I get it, when I am having my own family photographed this is one of the stressful parts for me. Decision fatigue and indecisiveness take over. I suggest picking out outfits after the other big details because they definitely depend on the location and the activities. If you are going for a more urban session then jeans and casual wear might be fun. If you love the idea of incorporating color and capturing backyard childhood nostalgia, then let’s do it, but you certainly don’t need to set aside the khakis. I have a more detailed blog about some tips/tricks on what to wear for family sessions here. Here’s some of my inspiration for fun use of color this year.

Prep yourself and your family

Family photos don’t have to be stressful. In fact, the way I look at it is that family photos are 1-2 hours of quality family time. Screen-free time. A lot of the experience is in your mindset. If you go into the session and expect to play and enjoy being around your family, then you can manifest that! The more we plan the session (you and photographer/me) for your family, the more “successful” it will be. If you and your partner trust the process and allow your kids to have fun, be laid back, and soak up your love it will result in amazing photos. Believe me, the best images are always the families that are more vulnerable and open up. We aren’t here to capture forced smiles, but instead pure childhood joy. And guess how we get that? Yes, allow your kids to ACTUALLY HAVE FUN and show them all of your love. It is helpful to frame it this way when you talk about the session with your partner and/or kids. If they have the expectation prior to the session, it makes a huge difference.

Go time!

Planning a time of day that is best for nap and kid’s happiness can be another part of the recipe. The more time you can set aside prior to the session to get dressed and allow for any mishaps, the less stressful it will be. No one, including kids, like to be stressed out. If you have picked a fun activity, remind your kids something along the lines of “we are going to grab ice cream and have Jess hang out with us”. The more you can stay calm, and allow for things to happen without overreacting the better. Kids may have their moments, but that’s just part of being a kid and it’s totally fine.

Enjoy, cherish, repeat.

I’m not just saying this, I truly believe it. Your family photo session should be a time together that you cherish with your family. A couple hours in which you make memories together. When you look back at these photographs it will hold that much more nostalgia and meaning for you and for your children. Enjoy.