How to Prepare for Your Extended Family Photo Session

 
A family including grandkids and grandparents smile for a portrait at north park, in front of trees and water. They're wearing blue and whites.

When should we arrive?

Most sessions are booked during “golden hour”, the beautiful time right after sunrise or right before sunset. To ensure you have your full session time and the most beautiful light, please arrive on time/a few minutes early.

If your session is in a studio, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to walk with me from the building entrance to the studio. (We’ll be taking the elevator to the 6th floor.)

What should we wear?

With extended family sessions, I recommend selecting a color scheme for your group. You can even pull together a color scheme on Canva or Pinterest so your family has a visual reference when picking outfits. A popular scheme is blue (several hues including navy)/white/beige. Most people already have these colors in their wardrobe, and they photograph well. Neutrals + a color is usually a good route. I always recommend avoiding red and other super saturated pinky tones, as they can cause color cast issues. And I recommend avoiding “everyone where jeans and a white shirt” sort of matching. I personally find outfit coordination (rather than matchy-matchy) more appealing. But you’re welcome to wear whatever you want! Coordination is totally optional.

(For more on styling your family, click here!)

What can we expect during the session?

I will take the information you provide in your questionnaire and bring a photo-combination list with me to your session. I will guide your family through each requested combination as well as additional photos, assuming there is time. I like to start with all the photos that include young children first. We’ll likely start with the full family shots first and then break out into individual family groupings.

What should we bring?

You may need nothing at all! But having baby wipes, a drink, and some snacks on hand may be beneficial for young kids. If you bring snacks, try to bring things that can be quickly chewed and aren’t messy (for example, Goldfish crackers). If you have a small child that would respond well to a favorite toy near my camera lens, feel free to bring that! Beware of items that your child will want to hold, however. Pacifiers are especially dangerous. If you don’t want these items in the photos, it’s probably best to leave them at home (or hide them in your bag as a last-resort).

How can we make our session great?

-One of my biggest tips for big groups is to get everyone on board. Grumpy dads are sometimes more difficult than grumpy toddlers! I’ll do my best with whatever I’m given, but I can do a lot more when the grown-ups have good attitudes :) Make sure everyone knows 1) the expected length of the photo session, 2) that having fun and playing with kids (even if they’re not on their best behavior that day) is GREAT, and 3) to take the iPhone and keys out of pockets!

-People don’t photograph well when they are hungry or sleepy (adults and children alike!). If possible, please make sure everyone has food in their bellies and kids haven’t missed any naps.

-I advise making this photo session today’s big event. Make it feel special and exciting for your kids. Perhaps there will be ice cream afterwards?! Regardless, if the day has been full of soccer games, running errands, and other big activities, there may not be much energy left for photos. Photos are a fun time to be silly with mom and dad. I will take some pictures of everyone looking at the camera, and also candid (or semi-candid) moments and play!

What if the weather isn’t good the day of our photo session?

Cloudy weather? No problem! Overcast days actually make for great photos! If it will be raining during our session, we’ll reschedule! But otherwise we’ll continue as planned. I’ll reach out the day before your session if I find the weather forecast concerning.

What number can I reach you at if I have a last minute question?

765-617-0350 :)