My top five tips for a great family portrait session

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1. Discover the right photographer for you When it comes to choosing a photographer (or wine or playlist), there are so many options to select from. And yet, not all photographers (or wines, or songs) are created equally. Fortunately, all it takes is a little speedy research (aka stalking) to discover whether a photographer will be able to deliver images you love – and, importantly, if you and your family will feel relaxed in their company.

   Start your stalk by taking a look at the photographer’s website, then (a) make sure you like and connect with their style of imagery, and (b) ensure that within their portfolio you can actually see the style of photos you would like for your family.

2. Read their ‘about’ page Next, head to their ‘about’ page and see if you connect with what they have said. You’re about to co-create a legacy with them, so it’s important you click with their personality too. Remember team work makes the dream work with your photo shoot. Most photographers will spend time penning thoughtful copy to attract the type of client they’d like to work with. So it makes sense that the copy should speak to you.

   For example, on my website I disclose that “My deepest desire is for mothers to exist in creative, emotive and beautiful portraits with their family. Tangled up in the love, chaos and imperfection of a real moment in time.” With that in mind, if you came to my website and you wanted formally posed portraits with your extended family all looking at the camera, you might be able to safely assume there are other photographers out there who’ll be a better fit for you.

3. Check out their testimonials A well-presented website can be alluring, but it’s the opinions of the photographer’s subjects that matter most. Reading the testimonials of those who have worked with the photographer you’re looking at can be a great way to find out how the experience and results were for families just like yours.The photographer’s website will also be the place they will mention any work that has been recognised with awards, published in well-known publications or commissioned by bigger brands. Knowing they have experience and industry recognition can bolster your confidence that they are well practiced in the process, or a leader in their field. You can read my testimonials here.

• Peruse their portfolio It may seem an obvious place to start – and it’s something I touched on earlier –  but you may be surprised to learn how many people will choose their photographer based purely on their price and availability. Of course you might get lucky and find a great photographer, but this could also buy you a one way ticket to regret! To avoid disappointment, it’s always a good idea to have a good look at the photographer’s previous work, before you consider their pricing and availability. Another good idea is to check their social media accounts to view their latest work that might not have made it to their website yet, and make sure you love what they are putting out there. Check out my instagram here.
• Turn up for your shoot prepared This might be the most important tip of all: avoid leaving getting organised for your family photo shoot until the very last minute!!! I say this as someone whose mistake you can learn from. Trust me, I did this for my own family photo session once. Because I was so busy getting everyone else ready, I ran out of time to get ready myself. I also needed a haircut, had forgotten to take off old nail polish and my dress was crushed. Throughout the shoot, I found it more difficult to relax because I knew it could have been so much better if I was a little more organised. My hope for you is that with our preparation you feel relaxed and can enjoy the session as much as possible. With my own clients, I offer a styling appointment before their shoot to discuss wardrobe ideas, the location, etc, and we chat over the phone before the shoot. I understand talking on the phone is not everyone’s cup of tea and feels a bit old school these days, but it’s such a good idea because (a) your photographer will get to know a bit more about you (thus making it easier to capture you and your personality) and (b) you will know exactly what to expect, what to wear and how to prepare – down to the types of snacks you should bring for your kids and whether you’ll need bug spray or walking shoes!Once you have found the photographer who ticks all of your boxes and you have prepared for your session, you have only one job left to get those incredible family photos. BE PRESENT. 

A family photo session provides a beautiful opportunity to connect to the real moment and celebrate life with those you love the most. So, allow enough time in the day to get ready, a lot of client’s even take a sneaky day off work if you need so that you can fully enjoy the experience. Think about it, how often do you truly get to put aside all distractions and focus only on the love you have for one another?

I hope you’ve found my tips for a smooth family photo session helpful. If you have any questions or want to know more about a family session for your family.