Family Photo
There’s no better season than fall to head outside with the kids and snap some gorgeous family photos. Whether you schedule a formal session with a professional photographer, or simply DIY with your own camera, taking outdoor family photographs for the upcoming holiday season is a tradition for many families this time of year. Getting your children to cooperate, however, can become quite a frustrating challenge. Posing and smiling on queue for an hour or more is not much fun for the kids, while chasing, begging, and pleading with them to behave is not much fun for us parents either! So how can you make the experience run smoothly? Here are a few simple tips that can help to keep your family photo shoot stress-free and enjoyable for all.
Be prepared
Give your family plenty of time to get ready, so that nobody is rushing out the door at the last minute. Not being completely dressed, fed, and rested before your shoot can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress even before you begin snapping a single picture. Try to schedule your session around your children’s naps, and make sure that they aren’t going to get hungry and cranky by bringing along lots of snacks. Don’t forget to bring some extra wipes and a change of clothes for the kids in case they get messy while eating!
Plan an activity
If you try to make the photo session feel more like an exciting outing, your children will be much more likely to cooperate. If they are having fun enjoying an activity, the smiles will come naturally and so will the great shots. There is no rule that says that everyone needs to be looking at the camera and standing still to achieve the perfect photo. In fact, some of the greatest pictures are those taken candidly because they show the true expressions and wonderful personalities of each individual. Forget telling everyone to stare unnaturally at the camera while huddled into a group and yelling “cheese!” Just click away as your family is naturally enjoying playing together. Some ideas would be bringing along some bubbles, kicking a ball, picking flowers, using hula-hoops, or playing in the leaves. Plan for something to engage your kids and make them smile.
Let loose and enjoy yourself!
Instead of designating yourself as the director of the shoot, turn your focus instead onto your family, and join in on the action of enjoying your time together. Tickle your children, chase them, toss them in the air, and share their smiles and laughter. Hug your spouse, kiss, and play with one another in the same way you would if the camera wasn’t there. This authentic interaction will enable your photographer to capture the true energy and beauty of your family. And Dads, please try to enjoy these moments as well. We all know that most men dread family photo sessions, but the images documented will be something that your entire family will hold dear for years to come. Your enthusiasm and cheerful participation will help your children become joyful and willing participants
