How to Prepare for Your Outdoor Family Photo Session | San Jose Family Photographer
Ozlem Bal Herdem
How to Prepare for Your Outdoor Family Photo Session | San Jose Family Photographer
As your San Jose family photographer, I want my clients to have enough information to help them feel prepared before the day we take photos. So in this post, I’ll tell you how to prepare for your outdoor family photography session in San Jose!
One of my main priorities for your lifestyle family photo session is to keep everything as simple and as stress-free as possible! I think having enough info ahead of time can help cut down on the stress and anxiety leading up to your photo session.
What do we wear?
KEEP IT SIMPLE AND COMFORTABLE
Please do not make yourself crazy trying to buy everyone new matching outfits in the weeks and days leading up to your session! I always tell moms to check your closets first! There is a good chance you already own the “perfect” outfits. And if you really feel the need to buy something, then go ahead and get a new outfit for yourself.
I always encourage families to put comfort first. I prefer that you dress closer to what you dress like the other 364 days of the year rather than dressing up way more than you usually do.
Some tips…
-please avoid matchy-matchy clothing. (aka everyone in white shirts and khaki pants or jeans) Instead, pick a color palette of 3 or 4 coordinating colors. I will also send you the clothing style guide and some Pinterest links to help you.
-Limit patterns like florals, stripes, and plaids to one or two family members and put everyone else in a solid color.
-Avoid clothing with large logos or characters and avoid neon/fluorescent colors.
-Layers are great when the temps are cooler.
And once again, put comfort over fashion. I don’t want your son annoyed by an itchy sweater or tie he would not normally wear or your daughter fussing over uncomfortable shoes or a dress she is not used to. And if they do wear a dress or skirt, I recommend they also wear shorts under it.
Or in my case, do not make your husband and sons wear pastel button-down shirts and khakis (or a suit jacket etc.) if they never actually wear these things in real life! (they still bring this up 5 years later!)
I even encourage allowing your kids to help make some choices when it comes to what they will be wearing!
Talk about the family photo shoot
Weeks before your portraits, you can get your family excited for your big photo day. You can tell your kids how fun it’s going to be and why it’s so special and important to have your family photos taken. Another great idea is to have your family try on the clothes before the big day. You can even make a game out of it and pretend to be models on the catwalk! Make sure the clothes fit properly and are comfortable. On the day of the shoot, ensure the kids are well-rested and have full tummies.
Get ready to play games during the photo shoot!
This is the most important tip of all! No matter if your outfits are Pinterest-perfect, if you have the most magical lighting, or you are in a jaw-dropping location, none of it will matter if the children are miserable and not enjoying themselves. So, get ready to be silly. Have some games ready for the kids and parents to play. This may include playing tag, throwing leaves, or singing their favorite songs. The games will lighten the mood and keep the kids entertained and smiling. A thrilling aspect of family photography is capturing the family interacting with each other. Not every photo has to have each member of the family looking straight at the camera.
Should we bring anything?
Although I encourage you to feed everyone before the session, feel free to bring a snack and a drink for your child(ren), especially for the little ones. It is more than ok to pause for a few minutes, especially if it is a hot day or they just need to take a short break. Just maybe don’t mention said snacks to the children and just surprise them when they are needed.
If you have a little one, it’s ok to bring your stroller along to shove the diaper bag in (make sure to have diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes because we know babies can have blowouts at the least opportune times!)
The stroller is also a great place to stash your keys and cell phones! Let’s avoid having your pockets bulging with phones and keys!
And it’s okay to let your child bring along a favorite toy or blanket that they are attached to. I think this will help keep them calm and I would love to include this special item in the photos! And having their favorite stuffed animal, toy car, etc. can also help me get some smiles out of the little ones.
So, relax, I’ve photographed hundreds of families and I assure you that our session will be fun. And I promise you that you’ll treasure the memories that I will capture for you!