Children and Family Session Tips
Family Sessions
I have a more casual style of photography. I enjoy capturing the special moments between families; the hugs, the tickles, the inside jokes, which are most likely the expressions that you see most in one another every day.
Please allow me to keep your child focused on me, rather than having harsh tones with them; I have a few tricks to help kids forget the camera is even there, thus producing more natural expressions and smiles from them. I know family portrait-time can be thought of as a stressful time, but I want you to enjoy more than your images, but also the experience of making those images.
I like to capture the natural, interaction between family members but will also offer posed shots as well, in order to benefit the final look of your portraits. Attitude is everything. A grumpy disposition, whether a child’s or a parent’s, can show up in your final images, so I ask that you come to your session with an open mind, keeping in mind that you are creating precious memories that you will cherish for decades to come.
Please allow me to keep your child focused on me, rather than having harsh tones with them; I have a few tricks to help kids forget the camera is even there, thus producing more natural expressions and smiles from them. I know family portrait-time can be thought of as a stressful time, but I want you to enjoy more than your images, but also the experience of making those images.
I like to capture the natural, interaction between family members but will also offer posed shots as well, in order to benefit the final look of your portraits. Attitude is everything. A grumpy disposition, whether a child’s or a parent’s, can show up in your final images, so I ask that you come to your session with an open mind, keeping in mind that you are creating precious memories that you will cherish for decades to come.
Wardrobe
Clothing choices are just as important for family sessions, as other sessions. I highly suggest clothing for each family member that has the same tone, not necessarily color. Please, and this is very important, be wary of stripes, plaid, words and logos on your family’s clothing. These things can be a distraction from your beautiful family.
Oh, and bare feet are great for family sessions too! Please check out my pinterest board here for some ideas.
Oh, and bare feet are great for family sessions too! Please check out my pinterest board here for some ideas.
Children
As a mother, I know children can be shy around new people. I always respect a child’s personal space and gently work on getting them to open up to me and my camera. I will take cues from your child and, most likely they’ll be sad when the session ends!
A full tummy helps keep babies and children happy and satisfied during their portrait session, but please be careful of what foods they eat before their session. Carrots and sweet potatoes are a sweet treat for baby, but can sometimes leave an orange tint on baby’s skin. This tint may not always be noticeable to the human eye, but the camera’s lens can pick up on such skin discoloration. Other foods such as spaghetti, lollipops and candy may also color the skin. Also, if you feed your baby lots of orange foods, their skin may give off an orange glow around the nose and mouth, but unlike food, this cannot be wiped away.
Good bribery snacks to bring along should we need them are things like puffs, smarties, cheerios, etc. Nothing with color as this will create nothing but a drooly, rainbow, waterfall pouring out of your childs mouth.
A full tummy helps keep babies and children happy and satisfied during their portrait session, but please be careful of what foods they eat before their session. Carrots and sweet potatoes are a sweet treat for baby, but can sometimes leave an orange tint on baby’s skin. This tint may not always be noticeable to the human eye, but the camera’s lens can pick up on such skin discoloration. Other foods such as spaghetti, lollipops and candy may also color the skin. Also, if you feed your baby lots of orange foods, their skin may give off an orange glow around the nose and mouth, but unlike food, this cannot be wiped away.
Good bribery snacks to bring along should we need them are things like puffs, smarties, cheerios, etc. Nothing with color as this will create nothing but a drooly, rainbow, waterfall pouring out of your childs mouth.
Illness
If you or your child is sick or feeling under the weather, kindly call me to reschedule. I’m a mother myself, and I understand that sometimes children get sick. I want your child to enjoy the photo session, and a sick child may not feel like having his or her portraits taken. I also need to keep germs at bay having so many little ones in and out of the studio. I would appreciate if you could call to reschedule as soon as it’s apparent there is illness so that we may get you rescheduled as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
No need to fret when your child gets a small boo-boo on his or her face days before the photo session. Minor re-touching is included.
No need to fret when your child gets a small boo-boo on his or her face days before the photo session. Minor re-touching is included.
Safety
Safety is extremely important to me and while I take all precautions with my photographic equipment, please keep watch of your little ones around my lighting, backdrops, etc. I appreciate the playful nature that children possess; however, playing with my equipment is not permitted due to safety and cost reasons. Thank you!