Family Pic TIPS

Family Pictures......the dreaded day for every mom, girlfriend and wife around the globe. What will we all wear? How will my family behave? Will I still be married after this photoshoot? Family photos sessions get an extremely bad rap, sometimes for good reason. Today you will read 4 tips on preparing for family pictures and how to make it a pleasant experience for you and you and your family.

TIP #1 Choose a Color Palette

Choosing a color palette that will look cohesive and fit you family well will make all the difference in your family photos. Choosing complimentary colors to base your look around will also make the choosing outfits stage much easier. Attached below is a page of examples of color palettes that photograph well and are easy to combine into beautiful timeless combinations.

TIP #2 Choosing Outfits

Once you choose a color pallette now the hard part comes in. What will the whole family wear? A few micro tips include

1. Choose fabrics that are appropriate to the season. EX knits, sweaters and boots in the fall/winter and dresses and linens in the summer/spring

2. NO BIG LOGOS. This is a big no no. Keep your family portraits classy by avoiding logos or character apparel for children

3. Avoid mixing too many patterns. This will make the picture more distracting. Also many small plaids do not photograph well

TIP #3 Bribery

In the world of photography we are never above a good bribe to get kids to smile and behave for a photoshoot. It can be beneficial to promise a treat, family dinner or fun family activity after the shoot like bowling to have something fun for kids to look forward to. Using a toy or a mess free candy during a photoshoot can be useful for helping babies and younger toddlers smile at the camera. In the picture below you can see how helpful a favorite toy can be to help a baby smile.

TIPS#4 Schedule

When scheduling a photoshoot it is important to keep in mind weather and nap times/bedtimes. Do not schedule a photoshoot for the hottest part of the day. Morning photoshoots have beautiful light and you can often beat the heat and not sweat to death during a shoot. In the winter you could even schedule portraits in a photo studio to keep the family as comfortable as possible. Keep in mind naptime and bedtimes. Children will automatically be more irritables around these times. Never expect a child or adult to smile when hungry or overtired. Be patient and have fun during your family photoshoots!