Getting a family ready for a photo shoot is a TON of work. I know many of you reading this know that, but after getting our family photos taken a few weeks back, here are a few tips I have found that help our family as we prep for the big outing!
1) Prep the kids (and your hubby!) about the shoot. Talk it up and make it be a fun event that will be memorable and fun! Being that I am a photographer and my husband is not, I typically put our shoot on the calendar in August just so there is enough time for both of us to have our schedules cleared and enough time to mentally prepare for the day.
2) Prep your outfits. I usually lay out the clothing the night before and get everything needed together in separate bags for each person.
3) I love adding props that integrate what is going on in your family’s life at the time. One year we got ice cream and as a prop (and a bribe) integrated our family’s love for ice cream at the end of the session. Last year as my daughter started kindergarten we brought and read “The Kissing Hand” and read it during photos.
4) Have fun and be silly! This year we got our photos taken around Halloween time. I found some packages of mustashes that I knew the kids and my husband would love. As the kids were starting to lose interest, we busted out the fun and laughed almost the entire time.
5 Incorporate bribes. My kids LOVE candy as do most kids. I have learned that Smarties are a great bribe, they are small, sugary, and don’t melt or leave a mess to clean up like M&M’s and outher chocolaty candies do.
6) Coffee. Before, after and maybe during. You can’t go wrong!
These are just some of the things I have learned along the way. If you have any you’d like to share, let me know, I am always looking for more ways to streamline the process!!
Happy Monday!