5 Things Your Family Photographer Wants You to Know

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I have been a professional wedding and family photographer for over 10 years. Needless to say, I’ve seen it all when it comes to photo sessions. From kids who just look me straight in the eyes repeatedly screaming “NO!!!” to moms who pretend their belly is a funny monster wiggling around to make their kids laugh. My own kids are always a whole other level of crazy whenever I have family photos taken. I’m here to share some of the things I’ve learned over the years to make your next family photo session a little more enjoyable.

  1. Your kids aren’t behaving terribly. Very few kids are perfect little angels during photo shoots, and honestly when they are, it almost feels weird. Little kids are full of energy and just want to play. Teenagers are… well, teenagers. So don’t get upset when they don’t want to sit still or even smile for the photos. I also won’t judge you if you try to bribe them. Do what you gotta do, mama. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever done a photoshoot without having a parent apologize at the end for their children’s behavior. But let me tell you, no need to apologize! I have kids of my own.
  2. Please, GET IN THE PHOTOS, MAMAS! You are beautiful. You are amazing. And you really should get in the photos. Even if you aren’t feeling your greatest, your kids will look back at the photos and remember the memories (or make fun of the gigantic glasses you wore that were totally in style back then, sorry mom.) They won’t care if you weren’t the weight you wanted to be or that you didn’t have a chance to get a new outfit. They will remember you being their mom.
  3. Don’t dress your family all in the same thing. Remember when the all-black turtleneck look was popular? Or the all-white tees with jeans? I don’t think anyone does that anymore, or at least hopefully not, but you get my point. Dressing your family all in the same exact thing might make them end up on the pages of awkwardfamilyphotos.com. Coordinate, don’t match. No need to go buy a whole new wardrobe either. Wear complementary colors and stay away from text or characters on clothing.
  4. NO. Your photos will not be free. Everyone wants to be a photographer these days so yes, there are people out there offering their services for free. They are likely just starting out and still learning, or are just doing it for fun. Those of us that have made being a photographer a career are not. We have taxes, studio rent, equipment maintenance, web hosting, and an endless list of other business expenses to pay every month. So please don’t scoff at our prices. This is our job.
  5. Enjoy the time together with your family! I know from personal experience how stressful it can be to get family photos taken. Picking out clothes, keeping them from ruining their clothes, and hoping that they just smile is exhausting in itself. Try as hard as you can to just snuggle up with those kiddos and enjoy taking the photos while you can. Don’t worry about the perfect pose, or if your kids are acting like wild banshees. Laugh, play, and enjoy these fleeting moments.

Hopefully these tips will help ease your mind when you’re set to take your family photos. And P.S. book your session soon because many photographers book weeks in advance!

Ready to book your next family session? Check out the Dayton Mom’s Blog Guide to Local Photographers

 

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Katie
Hi! I’m Katie, boy mama to 3, wife of a picky eater, photographer, business owner, and food lover. My husband and I both grew up in the Dayton area but moved away for college. We quickly found ourselves back in Dayton after having our first baby. I never really thought I’d end up back in Dayton but we soon realized how much we wanted to be close to our families after starting our own! I love exploring local restaurants and shops all around Dayton and you’ll probably see me snapping photos to share on Instagram @eatprettydarling!