Tips to keep you sane
#1 Locations
Wherever you've got your heart set, pick an area that has 'open shade'. That means, a large swath of shade. Something to cover everyone. That way there aren't a couple of people in full sun and others in full shade. You're not going to like the outcome.
Also, look for backgrounds that are simple and uncluttered. For example, you choose a barn, but it has junk of various colors lying around. It's distracting and kind of trashy. Go for clean, well-kept and plain, that way the focus is on the family.
#2 Clothing
While matchy-matchy is cute and nice and insta-worthy, it's not the end-all-be-all. Sometimes just sticking with complimentary colors works, or a color scheme. Jewel tones, fall colors, pastels. Or you could be different and say shades of brown, shades of blue...you get the idea. And there are plenty of examples in Pinterest or on Instagram. My favorite stylist on Insta is Whitney, check her out @styledbywi.
#3 Photo Order
Get the most important out of the way first, followed by the ones involving the less cooperative people. Sometimes that's a little and sometimes that's dad. Either way, write out a list of photos you want, starting with the most important or desired at the top. Be sure to write out who is in the photo so nobody is missed.
This is a must-do for my large family sessions. A little homework beforehand makes the session much less stressful.
#4 Go with the flow
The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to not have high expectations. Especially when little ones are involved. They may cooperate like angels, throw a tantrum of all tantrums or take half their clothes off and run feral. One never knows! But, if you look at it as super cute moments rather than the perfect picture being ruined, you'll be much happier in the long run. I tell all of my families, you may not like it in the moment, but this is the photo you'll show when he's grown, this will be a cherished memory and images. You'll look back and smile and remember how fearless and silly they were or how much she hated having to sit for pictures.
They'll be the pictures you use for birthdays and graduations and at weddings or to show future grandchildren.
So, I say, let the moments happen. They're the best parts of the session.
#5 Am I bothered by the chaos?
Nope. I'm there for you. I'm documenting your best and funniest moments, but they are just that. Moments. I'm not upset that your toddler won't cooperate or that your baby cried the whole time. I'm not going to judge you for running out of patience. I'm a mom too. I understand. I'm right there in the trenches with you. Do not be embarrassed!
I'll do my best, though, to help distract or otherwise bribe anyone who needs it. Whatever you need.
If I see you getting frustrated or see a situation that might keep getting crazy, I'll offer a break. Take a breather, get some snacks, grab a drink. I'll even let you reschedule if the session went completely sideways. If you talk to me, tell me what you need, I'll work with you to make it as better as I can. Promise.
#6 Don't get the smallest session package
This isn't out of greed on my end; this is advice after seeing parents lose their cool because they spent their allotted 30 minutes just trying to get a toddler to stand up and not run off and we didn't get a single "perfect" image. My thoughts on this are: the more people and the younger the people are, size up in packages. Thirty minutes might work perfectly for a family of three or 4, but for 8, 12 or even 20 or more? NO WAY. Just trust me on this one, you'll wish you'd have went up a package. I hear it every session.
#7 Bring snacks, drinks and plenty of bribery
Littles get hangry, FAST. It's a fact of life. It's not just the little either though, is it? I myself work best with a little snacky-snack at hand as well.
Toddlers and small children will only tolerate us for so long, bribery can sometimes stretch that a bit. It's best to have the bribe on-hand though. I have a trinket box I sometimes bring but having a small prize that they normally don't get is a great bribe.
Bring drinks. You're going to get tired of smiling and laughing and will want to have a sip of something for during or after.
#8 Just have FUN
My final tip is the most simple, yet hardest of all. Just have fun. Don't be stuck on any one thing. Smile. Enjoy the moments and really live in them. Be present. Kids grow up, people get busy, loved ones pass, family moves away. You never know when the family picture will be the last one. Just have fun.
