If this is your first family session with Charisma Photography or your yearly one, use these tips to help you prepare for the day!
What do I wear?
The number one problem I hear from most of my clients – what do I wear?! It is best to find clothing for everyone that complements each other and doesn’t match perfectly. Make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive – as that will show in the photographs if you are uncomfortable! If you want a neutral and soft look, think creams, pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. If you want a bolder style think coordinating colors (but remember not matchy, matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents. Adding fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a pop of intrigue to the photographs.
Be a calming force during your family photography session.
The kids may be a little off that day, may want to run around the whole time or they just are not feeling it. It happens! The thing to remember is to stay as calm as you can with them, your energy will rub off on them! I schedule my family sessions so that we can take our time. Let the kiddos run around if they need to for bit to burn off some steam, let them get to know me a bit as well so that they then trust me, like me, and smile for me!
Not everyone has to be looking at the camera.
Of course we want those images where everyone is looking right at the camera with that million dollar smile. But I also want you to connect, be who you are as a family. Don’t be afraid to look at each other, smile, tickle, play, it allows me to capture more candid lifestyle photographs for you.
Finding the right location.
Location is an important factor in your session – but it is not everything. I like locations that are pretty and unique but also have enough room for us to go exploring during the session so that you can have different backdrops. I do not bring props to my sessions, I prefer to show off you as a family with minimal stuff around you. But if you did want to bring a wagon, blanket, etc. to your session, you are welcome to, just let me know before the day so that I know what to expect!
Best time of day for your session.
From a photographers perspective, early morning and late evening when the sun is low in the sky is our favorite time of day to photograph. The sun kisses your skin and glows around everyone. But I like to keep in mind the kids – I want them to be at their best and I will work around their schedules to have the time of day where that particular child is normally most active and happy. If both can happen at the same time, then we are golden but I understand that is not always the case and I can work with that! I have found, most kids are good in the morning, so most of my family sessions with smaller kids that still nap are best done earlier in the day.
I hope these tips will help you with our session!
Please reach out to me with any questions that you have, I look forward to us documenting your family legacy!
