Best Practices for Choosing your Family Photographer | Liberty Park, NJ
After 10 years of photographing families, I’ve developed a few tricks that help make every session run smoothly ( as smoothly as possible while dealing with small humans that can be very unpredictable….).
Below are just a few tips to get you started when planning your family photography session!
Choosing the right PHOTOGRAPHER and PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE for YOUR FAMILY. This is going to be different for everyone. There are several styles of family photography — studio, lifestyle, documentary, etc. Do some research and decide what STYLE you like best. Do you want matching outfits on a beach? Do you like posed indoor studio images? Or is this more about creating a time capsule of this year of life and you want to remember everything exactly as it is? Think about what you love about your own family photographs, and what you wish was different. And also think about your kiddos and partner’s personalities, what is going to make them most comfortable to get the best moments out of them.
After you know the style you like, find a PHOTOGRAPHER that you vibe well together. This person is going to be in your face with a camera for hours. Sometimes sessions are in your home and personal space. It’s important that you like having a conversation with your photographer. It’s important that they understand your family dynamics and can feel like part of your crew for the day.
Light! Photography is all about the light. If you’re working with an on-location photographer, talk about the lighting conditions so that everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect.
Last one! Once you’re at the session, LET EVERYTHING ELSE GO. You’ve already prepped the clothes, the activities and prepped the family ( I like to tell kids a family friend who likes taking pictures is coming over, because it’s sometimes less scary than hearing a photographer is coming over!). Once you’re at the session, you’ve done EVERYTHING you can do for your hair, clothes, etc. So try to let all those thoughts go and FOCUS ON CREATING MOMENTS with your loved ones. A photography session is a CELEBRATION of your family. Honor it by being present. If your kids are screaming and not listening, just go with the flow. Treat your session day like a day on a family vacation, and let the rules go for the day. This is the best way to keep the kids (and partners) engaged with the goal — which is always getting you the best, most authentic family photographs possible!
