Preparing For Your Family Photos | Granite Bay Family Photographer
As a Granite Bay Family Photographer I want to maximize every minute together at our session and make sure that you all enjoy the experience (and the photos that will be captured!) So I’ve put together a “How to preparing for family photos” just for you!
We will start on time! Being a lover of natural light, my timing for your session isn’t a coincidence, it is scheduled so that we have the best lighting for your photos. (Trust me: I’m the girl looking at the sunset schedule a year in advance!) Please allow enough time when you find yourself planning and include time for travel or traffic, time to get the kiddos dressed, wipe faces and to stretch your legs. We will shoot until the sun sets, so if we begin a bit late, we won’t stay late! This just ensures that we are in the right place and the right light and will give you the best results!
Bring a snack
Feed the kids a non-messy snack before the session, blue suckers are not a good choice hahahah, save those for after as a reward. I am not above bribes! If you need to bribe as we shoot lets do it! I also always carry stickers as a fun little trick to keep the kiddos happy and engaged.
Come prepared! A lot of my clients like to get their hair and make up professionally done for their session. Make sure you allow enough time to enjoy that experience prior to the photos. If you want to arrive in your first outfit, we will get right to work (after a big hug and a little small talk!)
Leave your belongings:
Be sure to take cell phones out of pockets, sunglasses off, hair ties off of wrists, and we are usually in the wilderness so it is best to leave your handbag in the car so you don’t have to set it down and worry about it.
Changing clothes: I love to offer the opportunity for an outfit change during the session. This gives you the opportunity to get a few different looks and feels with your session while maximizing our time together.
Please bring your clothes ironed and in a garment bag. I want you to look your absolute best, and having your clothes in a backpack or bag will wrinkle them and we don’t want that.
Warning: You may need to change in your car, depending on where we are shooting! I also carry a pop up dressing room in my car that we can use. Just be prepared for the adventure! I’ll stand guard!
Bring walking shoes for in between shots: Girls – heels photograph very well, but we do a lot of walking during your shoot. If you’re planning on wearing heels, bring a pair of comfy walking shoes that are easy to slip on and off so that you’re comfortable while walking between locations.
Spray tans: If you decide to get a spray tan, do so about 2-3 days in advance, this will allow enough time for the color to settle in your skin, and if your hands are a little orange it will have time to fade a bit.
Hair Aware: Be sure to get haircuts and color at least a week in advance, this will give you time to grow into or fond of your hair if the scissors went amiss. This will also allow for color bleed to be washed away.
It’s more than okay to feel nervous! Please know that I do not expect you to be a model. My job is to direct you in a way that helps you relax, feel natural, and be your true comfortable self in front of my lens. You do not need to practice poses, study Pinterest pins or let the nerves take over. By the end of the session you will feel like Kim Kardashian and wonder when your big break in modeling will come! Don’t worry if you are feeling nervous, I’ll be sure the end result is something you will love!
Follow your childs lead:
We don’t need to rush into any shots that your child is not ready for. I want them to be able warm up to me and I know that takes a bit of time, so we usually start out with family poses of hugging and holding. Then I act like a crazy camera lady and say and do silly things to get their attention while getting them to let me in a bit. By the end of our session we will be laughing and high fiving and I will have gotten all the posed and unposed shots we need! Believe me I have four kiddos of my own, so I have literally seen and heard everything you can think of… so don’t stress, we got this!
Engage your child in activity:
We will get a great combination of posed and unposed shots, but I want you to look back at these photos and remember this age and time in your sweet little ones life. They will never be this age again, so when you look back at these photos I want you to remember a genuine time of laughing, eskimo kisses, tickles, running, ring around the rosie, and interacting with your babes… this goes for bigger kids too, I am not above making them run and laugh! No need to worry about the perfect shot… I will get it and most likely your favorite one will be the one that your baby is looking at you like you are their whole world.
Props, puppies, etc! If you’re wondering about how you can make your experience personal and memorable, feel free to bring along any props that are special to you. I want your session to scream YOU, so if that means bringing your four legged friend along or props that tell your story, please do! We can incorporate them into your photos in a fun way! Whatever you want in your photos, I’ll do my best to make it happen!
Fun is not an option! This shoot will be full-on fun, complete with laughs, hugs, play time, and plenty of tickling. There’s no manufacturing a good time; when you are with loved ones, exuberance and spontaneity take over for the most natural, exciting images.
Prepare to shine!
Granite Bay Family Photographer
If you want photos filled with love, smiles, and emotion, contact me! I will make sure we create the photos of your dreams, that you can enjoy on your walls and in photo albums for generations to come!
As a Granite Bay Family Photographer want to capture YOU and your family just as you are at this moment in time!
I have been photographing families for over a decade, and I promise you an experience you won’t get from anyone else!
Alisha Cole is a photographer based in the Greater Sacramento Area, serving Northern California for all your photography needs. She specializes in family, graduates, and maternity photography. Contact Alisha today!
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To book a Family Photo Session with Colehearted Photography please click the link below.
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