FAMILY PREP SESSION GUIDE
This page will walk you through the steps necessary to prepare your family for a photoshoot with me!
We will look into everything from wardrobe, choosing the perfect location, getting the kids ready, and everything in between!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me…. I’m happy to help!
If you'd like to see more examples of past family sessions, tap this link:
Family sessions are an amazing way to celebrate what makes your family so unique while capturing happy memories! To create a work of art to hang proudly in your home - one that is carefully planned, visually stunning, full of emotion and just happens to be of your family - then you need more than a photographer, you need a portrait artist who can craft an experience that is collaborative, inspiring and memorable!
The first thing to consider when planning your family session is the kind of atmosphere you want
because it lends to the outfits you’ll wear, the season of the year and the time of day we’ll need to shoot your session.
A great place to start is to look around your home…
How do you decorate? How do you want the photos to ‘feel’? What type of clothing do you want your family to wear?
LOCATION & SEASON
Outdoors?
A park, nature preserve, downtown, your own property, etc?
Indoors?
The KNP Studio, a local business or venue, or maybe you want a quiet lifestyle session at home?
Here are some ideas to help you decide the perfect location for your portrait session but rest assured,
I have a ton of local locations up my sleeve so even if you don’t know a specific place, I can help!
- A place with special meaning (home, vacation home, etc)
- A place that will look perfect with your home decor
- A location that you love the look of
- A place where you can do an activity your family loves.
CLOTHING
Tip 1: Choose your ‘base color’
A base color is often a neutral like white, tan, black, navy, grey or denim. The base color can appear as pants, jackets, shorts or dresses throughout the grouping to help build cohesion.
Then choose 2-3 colors to combine throughout the family.
They should appear at least 3 times on 3 different people in different places to provide balance. Choosing multiple shades of the same color is harmonious and a very easy combination.
Shoes matter too!
Tip 2: Things to avoid
Bold patterns will compete for attention with faces and can even overpower the emotional bonds of family members.
Loud clothing and bold patterns will also "date" an image and make your portrait feel out of style after the fads have changed.
Tip 3: Choose figure flattering clothing
Long sleeves, longer skirts/pants, V-necks and solid colors often create a slimming effect.
Tip 4: Consider the weather!
Hopefully we’ll have beautiful weather for your session, but make sure you’re prepared just in case!
CLOTHING TIPS & IDEAS
COMFORT
You want everyone to be comfy at your session. We'll be moving around on our adventure, so make sure you put yourself and the kids in something that moves with you
and isn't itchy or too tight…. otherwise you’ll hear about it
the entire time, trust me.
COLORS
The best tip when pulling outfits together for a family portrait
is to make sure the colors you choose will compliment each other and don’t clash when you’re standing side by side.
ProTip:
Think about this as an extension of your home decor and consider how you typically decorate… especially since you’ll likely display your new portraits on your walls!
If your home decor is “coastal” with soft muted tones, it might look strange to have red as the main color in your portraits.
The easiest way to decorate your home is to choose
a “Base Color” or two:
- Muted, earthy tones
- Grey and black
- Brown and navy
- Pastels
Then choose an accent color or two!
This color can blend with the base colors or it can be a contrasting color that commands attention.
- Royal blue,
- Red,
-Mustard yellow,
- Blush pink,
- Emerald green,
- Burgundy,
- Burnt orange
To this day, my favorite family portrait was when we wore jeans
with shirts in shades of grey, black and burgundy!
ACCESSORIES
Hats, scarves, jewelry, blankets, headbands, etc.
All these things are a great way to add another layer
of your style into your session…
especially if you have little girls!
TEXTURE & LAYERS
Layers add texture and textures add interest.
Denim, chunky knits, lace, etc…
These are all great things to incorporate!
PATTERNS
I’m not a huge fan of crazy or trendy patterns, (remember the ‘chevron’ pattern a few years ago?!)
but if you love patterns, you can definitely incorporate them into your session. My favorites for portraits are florals for the girls and plaids for the guys! Just be careful not to use too many because you’ll see them for the rest of eternity on your walls!
Take a look at the style of clothing that most news anchors and weathermen/women wear on camera…
it’s very rare to see a big bold pattern because they’re distracting and can sometimes even interfere with camera optics… Classic beats trendy every.single.time!
COORDINATING vs MATCHING
Coordinating means you're pulling together different clothing options and layers for colors and patterns.
Choose a base color that's easy to coordinate with- navy, black, brown, grey, etc,
then use a 'pop of color' or two to flow throughout.
Matching means you want everyone in the same exact style of clothing.. dark blue jeans and black shirts, light jeans with ivory shirts, etc.. Typically the guys are in button-downs and girls are in nicer blouses.
NEED HELP WITH OUTFITS?
Tap the button above to see some ideas on my Pinterest board but if you’re stuck and can’t decide… just message me or bring some options and I’ll help you pull it all together!
PREPARING YOUR CHILDREN
BABIES & CHILDREN
The most important thing is to make sure that they are well fed and rested before the session.
You may need to initiate an extra nap and snacks that day!
OLDER KIDS
It's a good idea to do a little work beforehand by talking positively
to them about the session, how you’re looking forward to it and excited about it… and that it will be fun!
OUTDOOR SESSIONS
We recommend stopping to use the restroom before arriving, just in case there isn't one close to our exact location.
You may want to arrive a little earlier than the meeting time so your child/children
can explore a little and get their curiosity/anxiety settled… as long as they don’t get sweaty, red-faced or dirty!
STUDIO SESSIONS
Just arrive at the appointment time.. there's no need to rush to arrive early.
It's a very laid back enviornment, so you'll have plenty of time to freshen up and even change clothes if needed.
ProTip:
Get everyone’s clothing and accessories together the day before so you don’t forget anything.
Don’t stress! The kids will take cues from your stress level, so stay calm
and make it a fun experience for your kids… and YOU will reap the rewards!
WHAT TO BRING?
FAVORITE DRINKS / SNACKS - It's important for all sessions, but especially those in the Summer!
BRUSH / HAIR STUFF - Do you trust your hair to stay how you want it for 1-2 hours or when it's windy? I definitely don’t trust mine but you’re the one who will be in front of the camera!
MAKEUP - If you're doing your own makeup, bring a little makeup bag for touch ups.
TOWEL - Only if you plan do a part of the session in/near water!
UMBRELLA - Because, weather... rain or shine, an umbrella can be a great thing to have just in case!
CHANGE OF CLOTHES - If you’re planning to use formal or very dressy attire, you can show up to the session in comfy clothes and change into your 'picture clothes' OR you can let everyone leave a little more comfortable after the session is over.
PETS & THEIR STUFF - I absolutely LOVE to incorporate my clients' pets into family portraits, so feel free to bring them along! I have several tricks up my sleeve to get the attention of even the most unruly pets so don't automatically assume that yours is 'too wild or crazy'! Be sure to bring along their favorite treats and toys... but please hide them and give them to me when you arrive because I need to be the 'most interesting new person' for the duration of the session!
KIDS & THEIR STUFF - Same as above! If your child has special toys, a blanket, snacks, etc.. feel free to bring them along… we may even need to use them to entice smiles!
WRANGLER - If you're bringing a baby, toddler or pet to your session, feel free to bring along someone to help us 'wrangle and entertain'... it will help to keep your stress to a minimum because you'll be in the pictures!
HOBBIES / INTERESTS - If there's anything you want to bring along- instruments, activities/hobby-type things that you enjoy together, let me know and we can try to come up with a 'non-cheesy' way to incorporate them!
IMPORTANT TIPS
The best tip of all is to make sure everyone is presentable and nicely groomed. Remind them that they will see themselves in these portraits for many years to come!
CLOTHING
Be sure everyone's clothes are wrinkle, stain and lint free.
NAILS
Ladies, a full manicure isn’t required, but at least choose either painted or not painted - because chipped polish is a no-go.
Guys, your nails matter too!
At the very least make sure they’re trimmed and not looking like you literally just crawled out from under a rock! lol
MAKEUP
A professional makeup artist is always welcome but it's certainly not a requirement.
As long as it's blended well and looking natural, you're good to go!
If you would like to schedule my makeup artist, let me know as soon as possible so I can coordinate with her!
(Fees are $50/face for makeup and $40/head for hair styling)
HAIR
Everyone's hair should be worn as they would normally wear it for a casual night out.
Be sure to bring a brush and some hairspray/product in case it’s windy!
FACIAL GROOMING
Facial grooming is a must for everyone... let's just face it, a uni-brow or fuzzy caterpillars on your face are no good for anyone, so trim those eyebrows and other facial hair! Trim mustaches/ beards or have a clean shaven face. I am not proposing a new facial style, so if he is usually clean shaven and only has a beard for one week of the year, get him to pick a different week.
We want to recognize our family members in the portraits as they "usually" are, not as they "sometimes" are.
HAIR CUTS / COLORING
Haircuts should be taken care of several days prior so they're not "brand new". If your hair stylist ALWAYS cuts and styles your hair the way you absolutely love it every single time then go for it, but most of the time people need a few days to get accustomed to styling hair when they have a new 'do!
MOISTURIZE
Moisturize everyone's skin… even the kids and guys!
Especially lips and faces, but also arms and legs that will show… dry skin isn't as "photoshop-able" as you'd think!
FAQs
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Don't worry! I have children myself and I totally get it! Please know that if you are relaxed, so are they. If you give them lots of reassurance, they will feel confident and relaxed during the session. Pitch it to the kids as fun little adventure out, don't put too much pressure on them. If you like, maybe reward them with a special dinner out afterwards or a special experience/treat together. (This also works well for spouses and kids that are over 21!)
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I am happy to reschedule if this happens, I just ask that you let me know as soon as possible.
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Absolutely! In all my years, I haven't had one person to ask me not to edit their images. My editors and I spend a lot of time editing your images to make them ready to hang on your wall or live on forever in your album. We are 'clean editors', meaning we want things to look as natural as possible, so we use an artistic and cohesive approach. I do not make people look completely different.. I can help you appear skinnier, smooth out wrinkles and skin issues, remove blemishes and whiten teeth, but I don't manipulate the image to do 'surgery or magic'. I think you are beautiful just the way you are!
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I'll get in touch a day or so before the shoot and if it looks like rain, we can either reschedule (if you still want photos outside) or go ahead with the shoot at the KNP Studio. We can also get a fantastic variety of photos in your own home!
REVEAL & ORDER APPOINTMENT
After your session, we'll set an appointment to meet up at the KNP Studio so you can see and order your portraits and choose your Artistry Products. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to family portraits.
Every family is different when choosing their favorite photos and products, which is why I offer several options such as wall portraits, storyboard collages, hand crafted leather albums and portrait boxes, matted prints and much more!
You'll also receive a complimentary Social Share digital for each printed portrait so you can share them on social media!
Family photoshoots can seem a little overwhelming, but with a little preparation and a lot of patience,
it can be a fun experience for the whole family!
Prep your kids in advance, get them involved, bring the necessities and let's make it a fun experience!
I hope this guide has helped you to feel more prepared for your family session!
Feel free to reach out with any questions!