Preparing for your Family Photos: The Three P's
If you have scheduled your Castle Rock Family Photos you are probably so excited but as a mom, you know preparation and expectations are key to success. I have taken photos with children and a husband who has been less than enthusiastic about the upcoming scheduled session. Although I still achieved beautiful family photos the experience can be improved by a little preparation done on your part! Your family is the most important subject of this session. and though I can manipulate a little bit in Photoshop I cannot completely make your family 100% ready for your session like only you can. I’ve heard it said that mom sets the temperature for the family and the family unit is the thermostat. Mama, you can make a difference in how your family shows up to a photo session even when they are a little objection
My email list subscribers receive a pdf of 10 tips for preparing for your family photos but here is a spin-off of my 10 Tips. If you would like the whole list you can subscribe here!
Here are my THREE P’s for Preparing for your family portraits:
Promote the excitement
When you are excited about something, they will become excited about that same something too. Positive reinforcement is powerful! Sing your praises and excitement about your upcoming session. Show them photos of when they were younger and remind them how much they have grown and you want to remember this time in their childhood.
Once we decide on the location, HYPE IT UP! Is it a wildflower field? Talk all about the different flowers you will see and smell. The animals that might be there too! Is your session at a park in the city? Let them get excited about the things you might see there. A firetruck driving by, a fountain, the ducks in the pond!
Emphasize the importance of these photographs and the joy of being together as a family. My kids almost always cheer up when we mention these photos are for their favorite family member! Grammy always gets the biggest cheeses from my kids!
I also love a good silly photo alongside the sweet, intimate ones. So if hyping up the silliness helps them get excited do it, then do it! They will be more willing to be snuggly when the prompting arises during the session.
Pick your outfits
This is the fun part (well, for me at least). I'll send you a style guide for guidelines so don't be stressed about what to wear for your Colorado family session. The process of putting together coordinated and stylish outfits for the whole family can be a fun and creative endeavor. It's an opportunity to showcase your style and create a visual story that complements the setting of the shoot.
For me, the anticipation of picking out the perfect attire is almost as thrilling as the photo session itself. It's a chance to express our personalities while also coordinating our looks to create a cohesive and visually appealing outcome. It's like curating a mini fashion show that reflects our family's vibe and style.
Selecting outfits that make us feel confident and comfortable contributes to our mindset going into the session. When we're dressed in outfits that we love and feel good in, it boosts our confidence and adds to the positive energy we bring to the photography session.
Not only will the Style Guide I send to you help you choose, but I also have a Client Closet for full-session clients to access. It's full of dresses for moms and outfits for young children. I'm always adding to it too! I've been photographing families for 9 years and I'll be your guiding light for outfit selection. I'll be holding your hand every step of the outfit-choosing way if you choose not to access my client closet.
Plan something fun afterward
If your schedule allows, plan something fun to do as a family after a photography session! It's not just a great idea, it’s also a wonderful way to create lasting memories and continue the positive energy from the photo session. After spending time in front of the camera, it’s important to unwind and celebrate the experience as a family.
Planning a fun activity after the session also serves as a reward for everyone's participation and patience during the photo shoot. It reinforces the idea that the session was not just about taking pictures but was also a shared experience that deserves to be celebrated and followed by something enjoyable.
Now, I’m not telling you to bribe your children or husband because I believe photos should happen regardless if there are tears or not. But it is something else to look forward to after your session! Go to a park, or a sporting event, get ice cream… treat yourselves to being vulnerable with your photographer! That is no small feat! Having something to look forward to after the session can help calm children and the nerves that can happen when they don't want to do the thing. And ice cream solves a multitude of problems!
Capturing this moment in your family's history can be a positive experience regardless of tears and objections. Remember mama, you set the tone and the temperature of your family portrait session. The three key components to preparing for your family session are promoting the excitement, picking your outfits, and planning something fun after the session. If you do those three things I can guarantee you will have an amazing session celebrating your family and you will have beautiful heirloom photos to cherish for years to come.
Welcome! I’m so honored you are here checking out my blog. I wanted to tell you a little more about me; I am a family lifestyle photographer and a Mama of two. If you would like to learn a little more about me click here. I serve clients as a Colorado Springs Family Photographer and a Denver Family Photographer.
If you love these photos and are looking for a milestone, family, maternity, or newborn lifestyle photographer in Colorado Springs or Denver I would love to learn more about you, your family, and the season of life you are in. I’m currently booking all of 2024 and into 2025 for my Baby-Bump clients. Fill out the contact form here and I will be in touch within 24 business hours!
10 TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS
A guide to having the best Colorado family photos - by melissa batzer photography
So you’re looking to book a family portrait session with a fabulous photographer (and if you’re between Denver and Colorado Springs I hope that’s me!) and now you're wondering, what’s next? Here is the Melissa Batzer Photography family portrait guide with some tips to plan and prepare you and your family for an amazing family portrait experience.
Book your Colorado Springs Family Photos Advance
If you haven’t already booked I recommend booking your Colorado Springs Family Photos at least a month out to ensure plenty of time for the full MBP experience. You’ll receive open communication, access to my Client Wardrobe, and receive helpful guides for preparing for your family portrait session.
2. Location, Location, Location
Planning the perfect location for your outdoor Colorado Family Portraits can seem daunting. There is so much beauty everywhere. I will always ask what you prefer; urban or rural, mountains or plains? Usually, photographers will have their favorite locations in the area where they are very familiar with the light and can guarantee excellent results. But if you have a location that is special to your family please suggest it to your photographer! Most outdoor photographers like myself prefer scheduling their sessions during golden hour, which is the 90 minutes before sunset or after sunrise.
3. Ask all your questions
Communication is key for every relationship, right? So why would the relationship with your photographer be any different? If you have any questions or need some clarification on anything please ask. There are no silly questions. We are happy to answer them all!
4. Wardrobe planning
I recommend thinking of your family’s outfits when you first book your session. The more time to prepare for that aspect the less stressed you will be. A well-thought-out outfit pallet can make your portrait feel like the artwork it is created to be.
There are many aspects to consider when deciding what to wear for your family photos. But, keep this in mind - coordinating outfits for family portraits doesn't need to be difficult. I highly recommend not matching outfits, this can cause the photo and its subjects to look flat. I have created a Pinterest Board with some great recommendations for beautiful and artful portraits.
You can never go wrong with selecting a few main colors and textured clothing items, as well as considering the season. Focus on accomplishing a cohesive look and dressing in outfits that will allow your photos to take on a timeless feel. These tips will help you create a timeless, classic look.
But, perhaps your photographer has a Client Wardrobe you can utilize. You will discover that in your inquiry phase. If you work with me as your Colorado Springs Photographer you will have access to my ever-growing Client Wardrobe for your family portaits.
5. Planning your time well
On the day of your portrait session make sure you leave yourself extra time to get ready, and even more time if you plan on getting your hair and makeup done. Leaving buffer time and not rushing will be a key factor in having a relaxed portrait session. If you have babies or toddlers make sure they have had a nap during the day before the session. If you have older kids, try and make sure their day isn’t jam-packed with activities. You want everyone to feel their best.
6. Full bellies
No one enjoys being hangry, especially children. They will be grumpy and this one-time session will not be what you had hoped for. Usually, sessions will happen in the evening after dinner but occasionally your photographer may recommend an early morning sunrise session. If that is the case, feed them early or let them eat a high-protein snack like Perfect Bar or hardboiled egg on the way to the session, and then go out for breakfast after the session!
7.Bring snacks
I also recommend bringing non-messy snacks and plenty of water in-case they need some fortitude to finish the session strong! Here are some great non-messy snacks to bring to a photo shoot: Goldfish crackers, plain biscuits, cheese cubes, and dried fruit. Leave the lollipops, chocolate, and anything that takes a long time to eat until after your session.
8. Pack extra clothes & Supplies
Let’s face it, kids + outdoors = a mess sometimes. I feel like I’m sometimes more dirty than my kids from holding them and holding the rocks they hand me. Accidents can happen. So while you’re planning and bringing a backup outfit for your children don’t forget to bring something for you and your husband. Photos are a luxury and you are investing a lot of money and time into them. You do not want to feel disappointed when you receive your products back. If there is time with the light and your photographer allows you can even use these clothes for a second “look” if you’d like an even larger variety of images.
On top of extra clothing options for all family members, it would be beneficial to bring wipes to wipe boogers or crumbs from faces and dirt off hands. Sometimes it can be unexpectedly windy and long hair will blow in front of your face, so please also bring extra ties or clips. Bring your makeup for a touch-up halfway through the session, especially if it’s hot.
9. Relax & let your photographer run the show
Woohooo! You made it… it’s time to make the magic happen! Your photographer will lead you through your session with prompts and guidance. Don’t worry, I’ll never leave you without something to do. Your job is to have fun and enjoy each other. Don’t stress if the kids are getting grumpy or aren’t listening. The more relaxed the parents are, the more relaxed the children will be!
10. Get ready to connect as a family
This is about capturing your family’s unique dynamic. Don’t just look and smile at the camera. Snuggle and dance with each other, tickle and laugh together. Parents, it’s your job to make this portrait experience a happy memory with your children and each other. Yes, the photographer is the boss and can give you prompts to bring out your family’s happiness but only you can make this 45-60 minutes of your family’s day momentous with your joy.
You will have these photos on your wall and albums for years. You will want to look back happily on the memory of your portrait session knowing it was full of warmth and love for your family.
An excerpt from a Psychology Today article gives the perfect example of why your family photos can be a happy memory:
"O moments big as years," a phrase coined by the poet John Keats, suggests that some brief experiences are so vivid and powerful that they remain with us for all of our life. These moments tend to reflect experiences that are emotionally resonant. In them, we can find both meaning and joy, and they can serve us long after they occurred, contributing to our overall happiness and resilience. They are a gift that keeps on giving.
I hope these tips for preparing for your family portraits are helpful and will make your next family portrait session a happy memory for everyone in your family. If you have already booked your Colorado Springs Family Photo session with me and still have questions please get in touch. If you’d like to learn more about a Denver family photo session or a Colorado Springs Family Photo Session please, start here.
Welcome! I’m so honored you are here checking out my blog. I wanted to tell you a little more about me; I am a family lifestyle photographer and a Mama of two. If you would like to learn a little more about me click here. I serve clients as a Colorado Springs Family Photographer and a Denver Family Photographer.
If you love these photos, and you are looking for a milestone, family, maternity, or newborn lifestyle photographer in Colorado Springs and Denver I would love to learn more about you, your family, and the season of life you are in. I’m currently booking all of 2024 and into 2025 for my Bump-Baby clients. Fill out the contact form here and we will be in touch!