You are craving memories with your family and you want to be ready for session day. I hear you! Hiring a professional photographer is an investment, you want to make sure everything goes smoothly. This will help you enjoy your photo session AND have memories that melt your heart as decades go by. Here are some tips to take the anxiety off and prep you to rock your outdoor family photos. Let's get started!
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This is the winning lottery ticket. If you have the right photographer for YOU, the battle is already won. What do I mean by that? Every photographer is unique, everyone has a signature style and personality. Doing your research is key to finding the one who will give you the family memories that you're craving. What do I need to think about?
I wrote an entire blog that explains all the benefits of booking early on. In a nutshell, here are the key takeaways.
Yes! Styling is so important! The wardrobe plays a key role in your photo session. It will make or break how you feel about your family photos. You want to make sure you love the looks. This topic is so important that I wrote an entire blog about it with great tips to rock styling per season. I'll walk you through color pallets, fabrics, favorite stores, and styling tools.
If the thought of styling your family for photos has kept you from booking your family session, good news!! then this blog is for you!
My husband has a saying that 'early is one time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable'. This is my mantra for family photos. It's not that we - photographers - are not flexible. It's that the nature of the job doesn't allow for tardiness, the SUN will not wait for us. During sunset, we lose light as the minutes go by. During sunrise, every minute the light gets harder and above our heads. Mother Nature has the clock set in stone.
My tip is to assume that the photo session is 30min earlier. That way if you hit traffic, get lost, forget something and have to go back, need to use the restroom when you get there, you'll still be on time for your session. If you get all rushed to your photo session you'll be anxious, then you'll transmit this to your kids and they won't be feeling great either. Not rushing on session day is SO important. Plan for naps, meals accordingly. Make a plan and share it with your significant other, so everyone is ready to walk out the door on time. You'll be the happiest when you arrive early and spend those10min talking in the car listening to your favorite playlist or doing the last makeup touches with a smile.
Yes! Having something to look forward to is the best incentive for kids. Planning a dinner out, ice cream, or even a cool movie to watch goes a long way. You're already dressed up, enjoy your family evening together. This tip works for little kids and teenagers alike :)
I hope these tips are useful to rock your outdoor family photos! The best part of booking a professional photographer it's more than photos, you'll build a beautiful bond and relationship with your photographer. You'll enjoy the journey and will get excited as you think about styling. The anticipation and excitement before session day is amazing! Then you'll have fun on session day only to be delighted with the most gorgeous memories of your loved ones! You'll have tangible memories to walk you down memory lane. Relax and enjoy the experience, it's the best investment. You've got this, go for it and have fun!
Good luck and happy session day! :)
Love,
Andre
Andre Toro is an award-winning family and published photographer based in Boston, MA. She calls her style Real Art Photography, which she defines as Fine Art inspired by candid moments. Andre is a passionate soul, obsessed with human connection, and emotive storytelling. She believes love is raw, messy, and beautiful. To inquiry about booking a photo session, please contact her at andretorophoto@gmail.com