I’m so excited to pair up with my friend Alli at The Festive Farmhouse today to share our best tips, from a been-there-done-that mom’s perspective and a seasoned photographer’s, for taking the stress out of family photos. Outfits, weather, kids acting crazy - if it all makes you want to pull your hair out and say “It’s not even worth it!” - these tips are for you.

Tip 1

Embrace the chaos. Remember that sometimes the best photos are the ones that capture real life: the hair blowing in the wind, the silly belly laughs, the in-between moments amidst the "everyone-look-and-smile" ones ... and yes, even frowns and tears. The goal is to capture this season of life in all its craziness.  No one's kids are going to be perfect smiling angels the whole entire time (and no one's husband is going to be 100% excited for photos either) – so take a deep breath and remember, you're not alone!

Tip 2

On a similar note, don't worry about being the one to get your kids to look at the camera or to smile! That's the photographer's job, and you don't want the pictures to end up shots of you pointing and directing. Remember that kiddos will feed off your energy, so make it positive! Don't try to force anything. If you (parents) concentrate on smiling and being silly with them, that's where the magic happens. If all else fails, just sigh and laugh!

Tip 3

For toddlers and young kids: keep a Happy Arsenal in your back pocket. Their favorite songs, characters, places, animals – what makes them light up? Goldfish, M&Ms, fruit snacks, etc. (and bribes of bigger treats for a job well done) are never bad to have, either. 

Tip 4

If you're stuck when it comes to outfit ideas, think about where in your house you'd like to hang some photos and let the room inspire the clothes. Start with mom's outfit and build from there! Especially in colder months, texture in your materials is key and can really elevate the look of your photos. Think corduroy, suede, chambray/denim, wool, chunky knits – thick and soft. Layers (vests, kimonos, long cardigans) are great, too! It's great to have a palette of 3 to 5 coordinating colors, not just 1 or 2, and don't be afraid of subtle patterns. Alli’s boys in their polka dot and dino-patterned shirts are perfect examples of this! Their palette included tans, blues, a pop of green and a subtle plaid on her husband that tied it all together.

Tip 5

Overall, try not to overthink things out of your control, like your kids acting crazy out of nowhere, a rogue pimple that inevitably pops up on the day of (that’s what editing is for), or even the weather. Chances are, it won't be sunny and 75 (it was sunny here but 90 degrees in October and windy!), but you can still get awesome photos on days with less than ideal weather and kids on less than their very best behavior. Just roll with it! Think like Monica on Friends: “I’m breezy!”

Bonus tip: Get to your location early, bring the outfits with you and dress the kiddos once you get there (husband too if he prefers!). Decreases chances for spills and wrinkles. 

Alli’s bonus tip: look at the camera, and tell your kids to look at the camera, like it’s someone you love! Thinking of that big lens as a BFF can change your whole demeanor and come across in your eyes, which will translate in your photos!

Hopefully there was at least one tip you can take with you and keep in mind for your next family photo session. Over the years, I’ve come to thoroughly enjoy capturing families in all their perfectly imperfectness. To echo a cliché I love - we may not have it all together, but together, we have it all.

Ready to have your family captured just as you are, quirks and all, right here in this season of life? Send me a message! When you book a family session with me, you’ll get a guide that walks you through choosing outfits that will photograph well while reflecting your personal style, and I’ll make sure the whole process is as easy and comfortable as possible for everyone. We got this!