5 Tips for Stress Free Family Photos

Vancouver Washington photographer for families that want stress free family photos.

After taking thousands of photos of families, here are my top 5 tips for stress free family photos.

You are a driven, busy, and loving mom. Thus, you might have been putting off those family photos for months or years now. It’s not that you don’t want them, yet it’s that the stress you feel about the photography session it self. With these tips, your family photos will go more smoothly. You will enjoy the experience and not dread having them done.

The number one tip for stress free family photos: be prepared

I send all of my families a short questionnaire and prep guide. This helps me get to know your family and prepares you for your session. That entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. Rarely, moms will not read my guides but when they haven’t, they felt much more anxiety about their upcoming session. They didn’t feel confident about what to wear, how to approach behaviors of kids during the session, and felt less confident leading up to that day. Be prepared, it will help your family relax. It is really that simple.

Set Low Expectations

The secret sauce to having a stress free family photos experience is to set low expectations. Kids will get a little dirty, act silly, not pay a lot of attention the entire time, and partners can not be as excited about

Do Not Over Prepare Kids.

Moms-you need to be prepared but kids just need to know a few days before the session that they are going to have their photos taken. You DO NOT need to practice smiles or how to act for the session day. In fact, I prefer that they come just being able to be themselves. After all, you want me to photograph their natural smiles and laughter. Not have a “say cheese” face that accentuates their neck muscles and looks like they are clenching their jaw. Click here for my simple guide on how to prepare your kids for your family photos.

Have a Carefree Attitude

Kids will likely do something you don’t approve of, get a little dirty, or not want to cooperate just how you want them to. It is ok! I encourage you to let it go, laugh it off, and let me take the reins for you, unless its a safety concern. Have fun and try to embrace the chaos. Check out my blog on how to get your family relaxed in front of the camera.

My last tip for stress free family photos: talk it out

I am available to talk you through the simple process and reassure you of any concerns you might have. I strive to make your entire experience seamless and fun. If you have any concerns before, during, or after your session I am always here to chat.

Are you ready to have beautiful family photos displayed on your walls? Let’s chat!