MORE SPACE | Three Tips to Prepare for Family Photos
If you are planning fall pictures and looking for a few tips to make it less overwhelming, here are three things to do before your session to give you MORE SPACE to enjoy it:
A Little Help for MORE SPACE
One of my favorite things to see this time of year on the ‘gram is all the sweet families taking fall minis. I’m often amazed by the hero behind the camera. No matter what difficulties are going on outside of that frame, in a split second she captures the beauty of that season - those little smiles frozen in time, endearing eyes giving glimpses of emerging personalities and tiny, soft hands grasping big, secure ones.
Having those photos is priceless but getting to that place with no tears and frustration can be quite the feat. So, if you are planning fall pictures and looking for a few tips to make it less overwhelming, here are three things to do before your session to give you MORE SPACE to enjoy it:
A WEEK BEFORE: Don’t let selecting outfits overwhelm you. Keep it simple. Pick out clothes that are neutral and complimentary. Limit patterns and use more textures for interest - think corduroy, chunky scarves or sweaters, flowing dresses and a fun accessory like a bowtie or suspenders.
THE MORNING BEFORE: Make sure everyone eats just before pictures. A full belly makes everyone happier.
THE HOUR BEFORE: Be early. You’ll be more relaxed if you aren’t running late. The less frustration everyone feels before and during the photo shoot, the better the outcome.
Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the moment. Even if you are in a particularly difficult season, don’t miss the opportunity to capture that as well.
During the fall of one of the hardest times of my adult life, we opted to still have family photos taken. My brother had been in a horrifying accident, leaving him unable to walk or talk - truly a nightmare. Nothing in me felt worth celebrating, much less in front of a camera. But my kids were young and we needed to keep taking the next step. So, I scheduled the photos, deciding to grin and bear it.
To this day, those pictures are some of my favorites. They captured a sweetness that reminds me there is good even in the darkest days. So, no matter what season of life you are in, it is worth capturing. There’s a beautiful take-away regardless of how challenging or easy the stage of life.