How to Prepare For Your Family Photo Session Part 1

Usually, it’s a mix of frustration and embarrassment. You have a lot invested in this experience. You carefully planned your family’s outfits ,convinced your camera-shy spouse to take part, researched location options, and you might have bribed your kids. Consequently, when they start acting up – you might be the one ready to cry! It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m here to make your experience enjoyable from start to finish. Here are six pointers to keep in mind as you prepare for family photos.

1. Kids Will Be Kids –Let Them!

Trust me when I tell you, I have seen it all—shy kids, wild kids, hyperactive kids, kids who literally run from the camera. Guess what? They could rub mud all over their face and we will still get an image you adore. There is nothing your child can do that will surprise me. Nor should their antics embarrass you. I’m a family photographer! This is what I signed up for… and I have plenty of tricks in my arsenal.

As you prepare for family photos, remember your littles have minds of their own. We might try something for a bit and discover it’s not working. That’s okay and that is where you come in. Be flexible; allow us to move on to something else. Goofy or shy behavior is age-appropriate, not misbehavior.

2. Keep It Light

Kids feed off your mood, so you want to keep the session as low stress as possible. Do your best to make it a fun experience. Stick to positive reinforcement. Harsh words or threats of discipline can send a session spiraling. Your child’s behavior might be frustrating, but this is one time you need to ignore it.

Set yourself up for success by framing the session in a lighthearted manner. Say something like, “We’re going to the park with Dixie today. She loves to play games and make animal noises. She’ll be taking our picture and it will be such fun!” On the flip side, comments that amp up the pressure (e.g. “This is a really important day for our family; mommy needs you to cooperate.”) are detrimental. Let go of that stress and tension. Once a session begins, the best thing you can do to ensure success is to have fun and cozy up with your kids.

3. Just Say NO To Delayed Bribes

Remember, children under the age of five do not understand delayed gratification. Promises of a “future” reward don’t resonate. However, they are plenty capable of getting on board with family photos sans reward. After all, the session is “playtime” – Who needs a reward for having a blast?

Sometimes a little motivation AT the session can help though… so bring a bag of fruit snacks or their favorite candy for instant reward and gratification. Suckers, chocolate and really messy treats are best left at home so as not to spoil the outfits and fun.

Now, do hear me out, you can still go out for ice-cream afterwards as a fun treat to cap off the family session, but keep it at that… a fun treat to end a good evening!

4.Let Your Photographer Take The Lead

I get it… You know your child better than anyone else. You know what makes them tick, what draws a giggle, or shakes them out of a mood. However, this is one occasion where you need to let the professional take the lead. It might be tempting to stand behind me and tell your kids to “smile” or “look at the camera”. After all, when you’re taking photos at home, those prompts can be helpful… even necessary. This is not the case when you’re working with a family photographer.

My job is to elicit genuine emotion and real smiles. I don’t want to make your children smile—I want to make it impossible for them not to grin. If you get the urge to start coaxing, take a breath, step back, and savor the moment. Parents rarely have the opportunity to simply relax and gaze at their incredible little people. This is that moment. Enjoy it!

Sometimes it’s helpful to show them a picture of me in advance when talking about the upcoming session. Head to my “About” page, so I’m not a strange face or show my Instagram feed to them. This will help them see I’m a friend.

5. Don’t Let Yourself Feel Rushed

By far, the easiest way to prepare for family photos is to give yourself plenty of time to get ready. You want to eat before your session and have a snack/treat/water for your kids on location. Additionally, make sure your children are well rested and pack everything you need hours in advance. Give your outfits a test run in the days leading up to your session. If something feels uncomfortable, choose an alternative. Stress increases when you feel rushed. So give yourself extra time to get dressed, load the car, and drive to the session. The goal is to minimize any frantic, frazzled feelings.

6. Get Dad On Board

Remember what we said earlier about how your mood sets the tone for the entire session? Kids will notice if Dad isn’t excited about the session. I know most men don’t exactly jump for joy at the prospect of having their photo taken. So, talk with your spouse and ask them to put their game face on. Ask him to pretend he loves the camera. The first few minutes might feel stiff and awkward, but I promise you will quickly find yourself having fun and settling into the moment. Lifestyle photography—and my work in particular—is all about capturing genuine emotion and authentic connection. The best photos are candid. My job is to capture the real you. So… get ready to play, laugh, relax… and simply be yourself!

How to Prepare Your Kids for a Family Photo Session Part 2

Imagine this… The outfits are ready; the bag is packed. You are determined to get that wall-worthy family photo. You booked your session months in advance and couldn’t be more excited. Then, the alarm bells begin to go off… Will my children behave? What if they won’t smile? How do I handle a full-blown meltdown? What should I tell them before the session? It’s easier to prepare kids for family photos than you think. You just need a bit of pro advice… and some straight talk. That’s where I come in!

As a family photographer, I welcome childish antics. We want their personalities to come through loud and clear. They may be shy. They may want to ham it up. Either way, that’s okay…. We will get a photo you love. In fact, we will make you love the process! Family photos are supposed to be fun. So let’s dial down that pressure. Here are five (EASY) ways to get your children in a positive, happy mindset.

1. Keep “Hangry” At Bay

Fill those little bellies! One of the easiest ways to prepare kids for family photos is to ensure they begin the session with a full stomach. Offer a meal or snack before you hop in the car and bring a snack/water for a mid-session break too.

Pro tip: Choose “clean” snacks, like fruit snacks. You don’t want your kiddos’ mouths, hands, or outfits stained. These should be small, treats they can eat quickly.

2. Talk About The Session

Introduce the idea of the photo session to your child well in advance. Like us, children feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. Additionally, they feed off your energy (more on that in this post). If you feel jazzed about our session, they will too! When you explain what will happen try to introduce me as a friend, someone familiar. It’s helpful if they have a name (i.e. Kelly rather than “that photographer lady”).

For younger children, you can set the stage for session success by “playing” photographer at home the week of your shoot. This is a great way to prepare kids for family photos because it helps them equate photography with playtime and fun. It becomes a game, not a stressful scenario.

3. Dress Them In Something Comfortable

I know it is tempting to force them into that “oh-so darling” outfit. However, opting for an outfit your kiddos don’t feel comfortable in could grind your session to halt. It’s just not worth it. Scratchy fabrics or stiff clothing—no matter how trendy or cute—will leave kids fussy, tugging at their outfit, or… taking it off all together (believe me… it happens). Instead, dress them in what they love. Can you plan outfits around that garment you know they adore wearing? They’ll be happier and you will get images that are more representative of “real” family life.

Whatever you pick out for them, please do a test run well in advance. Check the fit. Do a “sit test” and ensure everything moves properly. There’s nothing worse than trying to fix wardrobe malfunctions while your toddler has a meltdown! Need more family photo outfit tips? Check out my summer and fall family outfit guides.

4. Bring A Comfort Item

It’s always a good idea to have a familiar toy or comfort blanket on hand. Hopefully, we won’t need it. However, when considering how to prepare kids for family photos — this can be golden. Secretly stow it in the car and keep in as your “back up system.” Sometimes this simple comfort (e.g. blanket or stuffed animal) is all a child needs to “warm up” to having their picture taken. Ideally, this item will make a brief appearance – then retire to its resting place.

5. Make Sure They’re Well-Rested

(But Please Don’t Let Them Nap in the Car)

Photo day is not the day to skip the nap. So please, please adjust your schedule accordingly. Most outdoor fall sessions occur later in the evening to coincide with that gorgeous “golden hour” glow (e.g. the hour before sunset). That means you little people might be up a bit later than normal. A bit of nap shifting can make things easier on everyone!

If you have never done family photos before, prepare yourself. Things can get rather chaotic as you prep outfits for a session, load the car, rush through dinner, and attempt to get everyone in the right mindset. Do your best to maintain your usual schedule. A huge part of preparing kids for family photos is keeping things as normative as possible! During the day of a session, it’s a good idea to try to stay home as much as possible. This allows for proper rest. Furthermore, do not let your little one sleep in the car. Babies can wake up quickly and be “smiley”, but toddlers need time to adjust to their surroundings after a sudden wake-up.

6. Bring An Activity You Love To Do Together

What sparks joy in your kiddo? Do they love reading with you, throwing a football, or playing with bubbles? These are all great activities to incorporate into a family photos session (if planned ahead of time). In fact, they can be instrumental in stopping a meltdown! Pull out a favorite activity when your child is starting to fade, and they will quickly be ready to participate once again. I love this because it brings out the real smiles and authentic moments that make your family

Obviously I will be doing everything I can to make the kids smile but sometimes they like to hear it from mom or dad. These tips will help you be prepared.

“Say Cheese!”

We’ve all said it before as we attempt to get a somewhat decent photo of our kiddos and yet it usually results in a half-hearted or fake smile. Telling your kids to “smile at the camera” just doesn’t cut it when we are after those natural smiles!

After a few attempts of “Cheese”, we then usually resort to bribery… “PLEASE JUST SMILE FOR THE CAMERA ONE TIME! Mommy will give you a piece of candy ok!?” We get a forced smile, hand over the candy, and call it quits.

From experience, this approach hardly ever works and I rarely ask kids to smile during a session. Why? Because…

You Need To Give Them Something To Smile About!

Yup, that’s right! Don’t ask them to smile, give them something to smile about and guess what, 99% of the time, you will get a natural and beautiful smile because they are genuinely happy! (pssst a little secret- this is the same for adults!)

So, now you might ask, how do I give them something to smile about? Well let me tell you!

Below are my 10 best secrets to getting kids to smile naturally, and whether you’ve hired a professional photographer or are snapping a quick pic on your phone, this is for you!

My 10 Best Secrets For Getting Your Kids To Smile At The Camera

Every child is different and some of these will work for your kiddo depending on their age and temperament and some of these won’t work.

My advice? Try one and if it doesn’t work, move on to the next one! Find the ones that work and keep using them to get those natural smiles every time!

1. GIVE ME YOUR BEST SILLY FACE

This works well if kids are a little shy or haven’t smiled much and you want to get them to loosen up. You can ask for their best serious face, clown face, sad face, angry face…try a few and usually you will get a natural and fun smile after the silly face is done.

Give them a big reaction from their face and tell them how great it is…and they will beam the biggest smile!

2. TICKLE HUGS

Tickling is a surefire way to get almost any child of any age to smile, so tickle away! This is my go-to for families with teenagers as well, and for that, I call it the “tickle-tackle”.

Make sure the tickling doesn’t get out of hand where they are doubled over in laughter…because well then you can’t see their face!

Just a “little tickle” is all that’s needed to get those natural smiles coming. This works great with siblings and family shots together.

3. “DON’T YOU SMILE!”

Reverse psychology works PERFECTLY on my 2.5yo right now! If we tell him not to smile, we get a huge smile from him. This typically works well for kids 2 years and older because they love to play along and do exactly what you “don’t” want them to do!

4. YOU ARE JUST TOO CUTE!

I once had a 4 year-old girl burst out into tears after I said “now don’t you smile!” I suppose she took that comment quite literally and was completely confused why I would tell her not to smile!

After I realized how that backfired, I did a quick game change, and told her how cute she was and that she had the cutest most prettiest smile I’d ever seen and her tears stopped and she started to give me a glowing smile!

I told her she was just too cute and she couldn’t have beamed more proudly. Every child is sooo different and that’s the fun of figuring out what works for each and every child!

5. THE “I’M GOING TO GET YOU” GAME

A favorite dad game, the “I’m going to get you” works perfectly when you start to wiggle your fingers and hands as you move slowly towards and then you run up and tickle them for a second and then back away and start it all over.

This time though, you move slowly towards them as if you are going to “get them” again, but you pause, snap a picture or two, and then move back to tickle them all over.

I do this all the time with little ones during sessions and I only have to tickle them once or twice and then after that, the anticipation of me “getting them” works like a charm to bring out those genuine smiles.

6. THE ANIMAL SOUND GAME

Toddlers love to imitate animal sounds, so this game is perfect for families with little ones. Ask your kids whether mommy or daddy would make the silliest monkey sound and then build the anticipation for a second or two by saying, “are you ready to hear Mommy be a monkey?” “Can Daddy make the silliest monkey sound?”

Let go of your inhibitions and make a crazy monkey sound so that you can get that winner smile.

7. TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE SHOW

Kids love to talk about themselves (ok everyone loves to talk about themselves… haha) so this works especially well for kids 4 years and older. Ask them about their favorite TV show or movie or action character and wait for the smiles! Sometimes it doesn’t happy right away because you have to let them think about it, but usually you’ll get a big smile when you get them talking about Frozen II or Pokémon.

8. PEEK-A-BOO

Tried and true, peek-a-boo is a great go-to for your little ones. This works well for kiddos 4 months and older, although sometimes it can backfire if you scare them! On the flip-side, get your toddler to cover his/her eyes and give you a peek-a-boo and you will usually get a great smile!

9. FAMILY FARTS

Yup that’s right, being a potty mouth is ok when it gets your kids to smile for the camera! Ha! Ask your kids to make their best fart sound or the flip side, tell them that dad is going to come over and fart on them and see what they do! Little ones love to make toot, poop, and peepee sounds…seriously, I’m not above this when trying to get genuine smiles!

10. WHO IS THE STINKIEST IN YOUR FAMILY?

This prompt works best for slightly older kids but asking questions with “who is _____ in your family?” always gets the biggest smiles and laughs. Who is the stinkiest? Who takes the longest in the bathroom? Who is the messiest eater? Who is the loudest burper? You get it. You can have a lot of fun with these questions as long as you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

Like it or not, we live in a very visual world. Photos are all around us. We stockpile family photos and travel memories. We curate our online image with professional headshots and profile pictures. And we can’t forget about all those candid snaps filling our camera rolls! But that doesn’t necessarily mean we feel comfortable on camera. In fact, it’s pretty normal to dislike the way you look in photos (that was me a few years ago). Why? Smiling for the camera and smiling for a friend are two very different things. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a model or fashion blogger to look better in photos. You simply need to learn how to pose!

These changes made all the difference:

1 -BRING YOUR EARS FORWARD

Ah… the dreaded double chin. Before you go blaming your body, consider your stance! Did you know the way we pose can create a double chin where none exists? It can be nerve wracking to be in front of the camera when you’re not accustomed to it. Consequently, people have a tendency to pull their head away from the camera, lean backward, or to tuck their chin down during a photo shoot. It’s a slight movement, perhaps an imperceptible one, but is enough to create that skin ripple we all dislike.

Instead, when considering how to pose, think about bringing your ears forward like a turtle emerging from a shell (toward the camera). I know that sounds odd and will probably feel a bit weird and unnatural. However, this subtle forward movement will give you a smooth, strong jawline.

2 – SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT

Likewise, let’s take a look at our weight distribution. Is it split evenly between both feet? If so, it’s time for some shifting… Put the majority of your weight on your back leg and you will instantly create a subtle—and super flattering— “S curve” with your body. Just be careful not to lean backward or away from the camera. This can look stiff and uncomfortable. You are aiming for a natural stance.

3 – LEAN FORWARD FROM THE WAIST

Similarly, a slight lean from the waist toward the camera can also work wonders! It is an instant body slimmer and a key pose for those who want to look better in photos. Your waist/hips/legs will look more slender no workout required. This movement can also help you better place your chin, as you will automatically be bringing your ears forward. Sayonara double chin, hello streamlined look!

4 – CREATE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR TORSO & ARM

It’s instinct! Tell someone to pose for a photo, and inevitably, they will press their arms tight against their torso. In fact, when we stand naturally, we usually place our arms flat against our sides. You need to fight that urge while taking photos. Pulling your arm into your body will squish your arm outward, making it appear larger than it actually is. The movement will also make you look awkward and uncomfortable in your photos.

To fix this, create a bit of space between your torso and your arm. Lift your arm slightly (about an inch or two) by putting a hand on your hip or upper thigh. You could place a hand in your pocket—or when posing with others, rest your hand on the shoulder or back of a family member.

5- DON’T FACE THE CAMERA STRAIGHT ON

This is an important basic for anyone wondering how to pose! In fact, flip through any fashion magazine and you will immediately notice a lack of straight on shots. Great photos are all about angles. Let’s use them to our advantage! Instead of facing the camera squarely, position your body at a 45 degree angle. It’s incredibly slimming and adds a lot of visual interest.

6 – STAND TALL

You don’t have to be tall to look tall in photos. Take it from me, I’m 5’1! The trick is adopting a dancer-like posture. As you play around with your stance and learn how to pose effectively, I want you to imagine you have a string attached to the crown of your head. This string is pulling you up like a marionette. Keep your core muscles engaged and lifted as you settle into this stance. Your shoulder should be back and down. If you need help adjusting your shoulders properly, try rolling them forward, then up, then around to settle into that “back” position. This will elongate your neck and overall bodyline.

7 Simple adjustments to make while posing

7 – DON’T BE AFRAID TO MOVE

Although this post is all about posing, sometimes the trick to looking better in photos is simply forgetting the camera and letting the real you out. Relax, take a deep breath and have fun with movement. Don’t be afraid to walk a little. Twirl back and forth. Swish the hem of your skirt or simply dance to the music in your head. This will create a bit of dynamism, spark a more natural smile, and help you feel comfortable in front of the camera. In fact, many photography clients end up loving their candid/spontaneous shots the best!

Here is a quick step-by-step guide to our top tips and best advice as you choose your outfits!

1. CONSIDER THE LOCATION.

Before you even consider what outfits you want to wear, talk to your photographer about location options and what you most prefer. Will you have a casual beach session or will you be dressed up downtown? Will you be frolicking through wildflower fields or hiking to an epic mountain location? Your location actually matters a lot as you choose your outfits. Consider the vibe you are going for first as you select your outfits and then work with your photographer to choose a suitable location.

2. START WITH MOM’S OUTFIT.

It can be hard to know where to begin, but think of it as building blocks. Start with one outfit and then you can build upon that. My recommendation is to start with mom (or daughter), since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints. And let’s be honest, we are more picky about how we look, and moms are typically pulling the outfits together anyways.

My best advice is for you to wear a dress in your favorite color. Not only are dresses flattering, but you will feel good in it. If you hate dresses, think about a skirt/top combo, but choose something that is slightly dresser than your everyday look. Opt for high quality fabrics (not t-shirt material) because they hang better.

3. CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE.

After you’ve chosen mom’s outfit, think about 2-3 coordinating colors, some neutral and one of which pops and brings life to the outfits.Also, the color palette you choose will affect your appearance and the overall look of your photo. Warmer colors like peach, cream, brown, will give your photos a soft glowing look, while bold and vivid colors will produce a brighter and sharper appearance.

4. THINK MUTED COLORS.

Avoid overly saturated and bold colors, as they distract in the photo. Look for MUTED versions of the same color. For example, if you have a bright hot pink shirt, try a muted dusty rose instead.

5. COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH.

Gone are the days when everyone wears matching white polos and khakis for family photos on the beach. Choose colors that complement each other but are not overly matchy-matchy. For example, avoid wearing the same color top as your spouse or putting your girls in the same matching dresses.

After mom’s outfit is chosen, begin to find 2-3 coordinating colors that complement. Need more inspiration? Che

6. FITTED CLOTHING IS YOUR FRIEND.

While flowy shirts and dresses are currently in style, they can hide your shape and be less flattering in photos. Find clothes that are neither overly baggy nor too tight, and think about balance between your upper and lower half. If you have a flowing skirt, choose a fitted top, and with a loose top, choose skinny jeans. It’s all about balance, folks.

7. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER.

You might have the perfect outfit on, but if you’re freezing or sweating to death, a family photo session can quickly unravel. Layering is the perfect solution for those chilly evenings or sweltering August days! Remember, little ones get cold more quickly than adults when temperatures are low, so pack a cardigan or sweater for them. Cold kiddos = sad photos…keep those kids warm!

8. JUST BE YOURSELF.

Don’t dress like someone else you saw on Pinterest just because you found an amazing outfit idea. You want these photos to represent the real you and your family and not be something that you aren’t. This might mean you wear shorts or torn up jeans or a boho vintage thrift store dress. Just be you!

6. ADD VARIETY WITH SUBTLE PATTERNS.

They say that variety is the spice of life right? To add depth and interest to your photos, create dimension by having primarily solids with a few coordinating subtle patterns and textures. Patterns are great in small doses and add a lot of your photo. Avoid bold, large prints that can distract from the photo though. You want your family photos to be about you and not merely your outfits.

Layers are another way to add variety with cardigans, shawls, scarves, etc.

9. COORDINATE WITH YOUR INTERIOR STYLE.

How you decorate your home says a lot about you and your style. Consider coordinating your outfits to your home décor, as you will likely display your photos on your walls. For example, if your house is decorated in white muted tones, don’t wear bright and bold outfits.

10. OPT FOR CLASSIC OVER TRENDY.

Super trendy clothes are so fun because they look amazing now, but think about classic styles and outfits that will not make you cringe in 15 years.

11. INCLUDE YOUR KIDS.

Involve your children in planning and choosing outfits. They will be much more excited about family photos if they like what they’re wearing. This doesn’t mean that you should let your daughter wear her favorite princess dress. Instead, incorporate their favorite color. Please don’t make them wear something they hate. You want your kiddos happy for your session!

12. ONLY ONE OUTFIT NEEDED.

Don’t overly complicate family photos by bringing multiple outfits for everyone. Kids usually HATE changing clothes and can end up cranky afterwards, not to mention it takes time away from your session. If you have a drooling baby, put a bib on them until you arrive at the session, or alternatively, change them into their outfit right when you arrive to ensure clean clothes.

13. REMEMBER THE SHOES.

Shoes have the power to complete an outfit or completely destroy it! Think about your session location. If you are in a field, for instance, you won’t be able to walk in those stilettos. Avoid bright white shoes, all athletic sneakers, and kids’ shoes with cartoon characters and sparkles. If you just can’t find shoes you love, consider having the family go barefoot for the session (just bring shoes to walk around at the location!).

14. DON’T WAIT TO TRY ON YOUR CLOTHES UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE.

Try on your clothes well in advance so you can switch it up if something isn’t working. Look at your outfit from different angles and move around to make sure it works for lifestyle photos. There’s nothing worse than a gorgeous v-neck dress that keeps gaping wide-open to show your bra as you cuddle and tickle your kiddos

• COMFORT: Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable in what you wear. You don’t want an outfit that keeps shifting out of place or falling down. Choose clothing that allows you to play with your kids, move freely and feels good on you. For guys this means that shirts that look good untucked are usually better since you will be playing and moving around with your kids and you don’t want to have to keep tucking in your shirt.
• ACCESSORIZE: Don’t forget earrings, bracelets, hats, or other accessories that help complete your outfit! Ladies, please avoid necklaces as they have a hard time staying in place and can get tangled up in those cuddle and tickle moments with your kids.
• TEXTURE: Texture is a striking feature and adds great dimension to your photos and helps them stand out. Examples of texture include chambray, faux fur, chunky knits, lace, tweed, wool, etc.
• MAKEUP: Apply your makeup in natural light so that you know how it will look for outdoor photos. Apply just a little bit more than you usually would and make sure to blend foundation well with your neck. Stay away from nude lipsticks as they wash you out, but do make sure to wear lip gloss (chapstick for everyone in the family so they don’t have the dry lip look). If you’re comfortable with it, help your eyes pop with natural length fake eyelashes.

• OVERSIZED CLOTHING: Steer clear of cargo shorts, baggy jeans, and oversized clothing.
• THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS: Thin stripes and tight plaids distort in printed photos and appear zig-zaggy and thus should be avoided.
• FORMALWEAR: Avoid outfits that are too formal for your setting. If you are in a natural area, a tuxedo, formal dress, tie/bowtie, might feel out of place.
• MEN’S SHORTS: Dads, leave the shorts at home and opt for pants so your hairy legs don’t distract from the photo.
• BRIGHT WHITE: White has the tendency to wash out complexions. Choose ivory and creams instead.
• BOLD AND DARK COLORS: Dark colors (e.g., navy blues, black, dark browns and grays) should be avoided, since they appear black in photos. Also, dark colors can wash out your complexion and create an overly dark feel in the photo. Overly saturated colors can distract from the photo, so look instead for muted versions. For example, if you have a bright yellow dress, think about a mustard or gold dress instead.
• NEON COLORS: Neon colors can reflect onto your face, causing skin tone problems in your photos. That neon green shirt will reflect upwards on your face and cause you to look green!
• LOGOS: Logos or text on clothing is distracting. Avoid shirts that have logos (even just a simple Nike check mark or Polo horse is distracting).
• STRAPLESS/SLEEVELESS TOPS: Unless you absolutely love your arms, avoid strapless or sleeveless tops. Sleeves are typically more flattering for everyone!
• UNDERSHIRTS: Guys, it’s best to avoid wearing white undershirts that hang out of the top of your shirt or sleeves.
• ATHLETIC POLO SHIRTS: You might love your Under Armour quick-dry polo but it’s not really the look you want to go for in your family session. Avoid athletic polos or quick-dry shirts and opt for more timeless fabrics.
• ATHLETIC SHOES: White tennis shoes, athletic shoes, and character shoes (think Disney princess shoes) should all be avoided. Leather shoes, casual sneakers (think Converse), sandals, slide-on canvas shoes, and wedges are all great options.
• LOW-CUT AND OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS: Low-cut shirts can shift during the session and leave you a little more revealed than you intended. Clothing that is overly tight and clings to you is uncomfortable and can leave bulges and bumps in places you don’t want.
• BABY OUTFITS WITH DIAPERS PEEKING OUT: An adorably cute moment with your baby can be ruined by the green-lined diaper that is hanging out of a little romper or dress. Avoid baby clothing that doesn’t completely cover those little Pampers.
• TRANSITIONAL LENSES: If you typically wear glasses, wear them for your session. But if you have polarized or transitional lenses, consider taking them off. Dark glasses will cover your eyes in the photos.–

• OVERSIZED CLOTHING: Steer clear of cargo shorts, baggy jeans, and oversized clothing.
• THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS: Thin stripes and tight plaids distort in printed photos and appear zig-zaggy and thus should be avoided.
• FORMALWEAR: Avoid outfits that are too formal for your setting. If you are in a natural area, a tuxedo, formal dress, tie/bowtie, might feel out of place.
• MEN’S SHORTS: Dads, leave the shorts at home and opt for pants so your hairy legs don’t distract from the photo.
• BRIGHT WHITE: White has the tendency to wash out complexions. Choose ivory and creams instead.
• BOLD AND DARK COLORS: Dark colors (e.g., navy blues, black, dark browns and grays) should be avoided, since they appear black in photos. Also, dark colors can wash out your complexion and create an overly dark feel in the photo. Overly saturated colors can distract from the photo, so look instead for muted versions. For example, if you have a bright yellow dress, think about a mustard or gold dress instead.
• NEON COLORS: Neon colors can reflect onto your face, causing skin tone problems in your photos. That neon green shirt will reflect upwards on your face and cause you to look green!
• LOGOS: Logos or text on clothing is distracting. Avoid shirts that have logos (even just a simple Nike check mark or Polo horse is distracting).
• STRAPLESS/SLEEVELESS TOPS: Unless you absolutely love your arms, avoid strapless or sleeveless tops. Sleeves are typically more flattering for everyone!
• UNDERSHIRTS: Guys, it’s best to avoid wearing white undershirts that hang out of the top of your shirt or sleeves.
• ATHLETIC POLO SHIRTS: You might love your Under Armour quick-dry polo but it’s not really the look you want to go for in your family session. Avoid athletic polos or quick-dry shirts and opt for more timeless fabrics.
• ATHLETIC SHOES: White tennis shoes, athletic shoes, and character shoes (think Disney princess shoes) should all be avoided. Leather shoes, casual sneakers (think Converse), sandals, slide-on canvas shoes, and wedges are all great options.
• LOW-CUT AND OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS: Low-cut shirts can shift during the session and leave you a little more revealed than you intended. Clothing that is overly tight and clings to you is uncomfortable and can leave bulges and bumps in places you don’t want.
• BABY OUTFITS WITH DIAPERS PEEKING OUT: An adorably cute moment with your baby can be ruined by the green-lined diaper that is hanging out of a little romper or dress. Avoid baby clothing that doesn’t completely cover those little Pampers.
• TRANSITIONAL LENSES: If you typically wear glasses, wear them for your session. But if you have polarized or transitional lenses, consider taking them off. Dark glasses will cover your eyes in the photos.–

One of the first questions I get asked when families schedule a snowy winter session is what to wear. This can be especially challenging if you don’t own many winter weather pieces besides a snowsuit.

My best advice is that you want to look and feel warm. It is definitely not advisable to put your kiddos in cute sweaters or dresses only to take off their big old winter coat when you arrive. Not only do the kiddos look cold without proper winter clothing on but they actually will be cold in a matter of minutes and cold kiddos are a sure way to guarantee bad photos!

• WHEN IT COMES TO COLD, LAYERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND: Skip the ski jackets and snow-pants and opt for layers. Start with a thermal or base layer, long-johns or thermal leggings, add a sweater, button-down, fleece, or fashionable coat. From there accessorize with cute hats, scarves, mittens and of course cute warm winter boots! Please leave the old black boots you use to shovel the snow at home and opt for leather Sorels or some other more fashionable winter boot that will be fitting in snowy conditions.
• THINK TEXTURES: Teddy fleeces, chunky cardigans, wool hats, knitted scarves… all these textures add dimension to the photo and make your outfits pop, not to mention keep you warm.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

Interesting information I feel the need to share this is something I have struggled with my whole life so please don’t be offended when I use darling instead of your name. ❤️ https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_920

Thank you so much for coming to my page. When I started taking photos almost 20 years ago I never thought I would actually turn it into a business. As someone who struggles with anxiety I always thought this would prevent me from going very far. To my surprise when I am behind the camera shooting a family I am at peace. I am so glad to find my way of making a difference in the world.