“A seasoned photographer will engage your family and draw out their individual personalities.”

1. HIRE A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Regardless of where you live, there are likely hundreds (or more!) of family portrait photographers within a 30 mile radius of you! That’s great news for you! Also good news – Not all photographers are the same. While referrals from someone that you trust are always a good thing, here are some tips to make sure you find the best photographer to work with you to create your perfect family portraits. 

Every photographer has a different style. Is your dream to have portraits where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera or are you interested in a little more life-style, laid back vibe?  Or a mix of both? Look for a photographer who’s portrait-style speaks to you! 

The best photographs are created when you feel comfortable with the photographer. Seek out photographers that do in-person consultations. This will give you a chance to get to know the photographer and they you. Even better if the photographer does in-home consultations. Little ones will see the photographer in their home and feel comfortable and connected to the them on the day of the photoshoot. 

If you are looking for a truly stress-free experience, look for a full service family photographer who provides the level of service and the type of products that you desire. As an example, our studio offers in-home consultations, hair and makeup services, the finest quality wall art, albums and prints and we even provide complimentary wall art installation!

Don’t forget the about actual portrait experience! A seasoned photographer will engage your family and draw out their individual personalities.

2. DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Finding the right outfits for your portrait experience needn’t be a source of frustration. Follow these tips to cross this off your worry list.

Don’t be concerned about specific clothing styles. You only need to decide if the portraits you envision will be formal, semi-formal or casual. For a casual portrait it is perfectly acceptable to have some of the family in dresses and some in shorts or casual pants. 

That said, it is very important to select colors that compliment and coordinate. There are several pins on Pinterest that you can reference to guide your wardrobe selection (or to share with other members of your family if you are planning an extended family session.) You can see the Pinterest board- Family Styling- we put together here: https://www.pinterest.com/andreayorkphoto

Start your outfit planning with one person and build around that individual.  Do you have a baby in the family?  They are most likely the star of the show so finding the cutest outfit for them and building the colors around them makes it easy for all. Or if you have a favorite color that you feel confident in, start there and build the rest of the family around that color (after all, you are doing all the planning!).

Have fun with the outfit selection process! You may find what you need in your closet but shopping for new is always fun too! 

Above all – choose clothing which makes you feel comfortable and confident!

3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Choosing the perfect location for the photoshoot is very important. The location sets the portrait vibe. Does your family have a favorite vacation spot? Are you a hiking family? Is the ocean your favorite playground? Or do you prefer a downtown setting? The options are endless. 

A professional photographer will guide you through this important decision by asking all the right questions and getting to know you better at the consultation. Often, they will have a list of spectacular locations to suggest based your family’s preferences. (Our studio boasts a list of hundreds of location options!). 

Is your favorite location at the beach but it’s 2 hours away? Don’t rule this option out because you don’t think your favorite photographer will travel that far. Many photographers will travel (for a nominal fee) to capture the glorious beach side portraits of your family that you dream about. 

4. TIME OF DAY!

There are many factors in planning what time of day to schedule your portrait experience. Here are some things to consider:

Are your inspiration photo’s taken at sunset? If this is the look you are going for, not only does the time of day factor in but also the time of year. Or does your toddler have a cranky-time of day when napping is a must? Then avoid scheduling the session during that precious time. Those are all things to take in to consideration. 

If you are planning a public park or ocean-side for your family portrait session, avoid scheduling the experience on a weekend to avoid the crowds. There is little more frustrating to a professional photographer than having to wait for the perfect spot/view/location and the hassle of finding parking, paying increased park fees, etc will certainly take away from your stress-free portrait experience. We encourage our clients to schedule a day off of work or if possible, scheduling the session early in the summer to take advantage of the extended daylight hours.

5. PREPARATION IS KEY!

Prepare for all types of weather. Our studio is locate in western Massachusetts. Like many parts of the country, we sometimes experience 2 or more seasons in one day! (Especially if we are going to the shore). Bring layers – just in case. 

Plan time to make sure all the new tags are off clothes, try on the outfits in advance of the session so there are not surprises. If need be do a quick press of extremely wrinkled clothing. 

Bring comfy shoes to change into if your portrait plan calls for walking to different locations. 

Have sunscreen, bug spray, wetnaps, etc in a your just-in-case bag. 

Prepare for all types of weather. Our studio is locate in western Massachusetts. Like many parts of the country, we sometimes experience 2 or more seasons in one day! (Especially if we are going to the shore). Bring layers – just in case. 

Lastly, don’t forget the snacks and drinks to keep the energy and happiness factor strong during your portrait session!