All natur-ale?: 5 Tips to Make Sure Your Family Photo Session Produces Natural Images

Family photo sessions can always have their challenges.  While the goal of my sessions is always to produce authentic images that make people feel some kind of emotion when looking at them, when you add little ones in the mix, or even camera-shy adults, photos that were supposed to look natural can instead look painfully posed and just plain awkward. But here's some tips to make sure that doesn't happen during your family's session!

1. FULL BELLIES - No one, and I mean NO ONE, kids or adults are happy when they're hungry. But a lot of families will often make a day out of their sessions, have an early afternoon session and then head out to dinner afterwards as a nice reward for all that hard work. I'm all for the reward system to motivate everyone and I love a good restaurant night, but if that's your plan, make sure you have some appetizers at least prior to your session. 

2. Also HYDRATE!! This may seem obvious, but often times our bodies are dehydrated without telling us that we’re thirsty. Even being minorly dehydrated can decrease a person’s energy. Water also helps the digestive system and skin and leaves us feeling our best! It’s something we often forget to do, but make sure on the day of your session everyone is happy and hydrated!
 
3. Leave yourself MORE TIME THAN YOU THINK to get ready! In my experience a lot of mom’s aim to wait till the last minute to get their children in their nice, picture perfect clothes. My advice to you is to get everyone dressed and ready EARLIER than you think! We don’t want fully dirty clothes in the pictures, but trust me, it’s a lot easier for your photographer to edit out a few grass stains than to alter facial expressions. Often times when families are rushed the session feels stressful, rather than fun! Unfortunately, this can really show on family member’s facial expressions. Give yourself more than enough time to leisurely get ready and relax rather than rushing around the hour before your session.
 
4. BE ROLE MODELS – the kids (and pets for that matter) will feed off their parent’s energy. Often times, the dads especially will be a bit camera shy. SO listen up! Whatever you need to do to make sure mom and dad are relaxed during the session, will seriously make the entire family and the photos that much better! If dad needs to go golfing that morning, mom needs to get a pedicure, make it happen! Relaxed parents make for relaxing children and in the end natural looking pictures! Make session day, a great day!
 
5. APPRECIATE THE TIME—Your photographer will likely be asking you to reflect on family memories, tell jokes, or find other ways to make your family feel comfortable and laugh. Enjoy these precious moments. This is a special experience that not every family gets to partake in. Enjoy the time outside with your family and look forward to the amazing artwork of your family that is to come!
 
If you’re in the Philadelphia area, contact alexannphotos@gmail.com to set up your family session today!