Prepping Kiddos for a Successful Photo Shoot
FAMILY PHOTO TIME!!!
Ohhhh there comes a plethora of "feelings" when you hear those words...
It ranges from excitement
to anxiety
to dread
to stress
to fear
to giddiness...
it's an entire spectrum...
listen, I get that it's an investment to schedule a family photo session...
Not just with money, but with time and outfit choices and getting ready and trying to JUGGLE.IT.ALL
For many of us, we seemingly have a lot "riding" on our yearly photo shoots...
we envision perfect smiles and perfect weather and perfect outfits and...and...and...
I know...I've been there too...
this is where I, as the photographer, come in and try to alleviate at least some of those concerns and hopefully provide you with an experience that takes the pressure off of perfection...and focuses more on the STORY of your family.
There are books that are similar to other books...
Percy Jackson has similarities to the Harry Potter series,
The Penderwicks are reminiscent of Little Women,
Lord of the Rings and the Narnia series also have threads of similarities...
HOWEVER, none of those stories are exactly the same...
they each have their own unique characters, plot twists, details and settings...
AS DOES YOUR UNIQUE FAMILY
Here are some friendly suggestions to keep in mind, that will hopefully prep your kiddos (and yourself) to ensure that you have an experience together as a family in stead of stressing about a photo session...
1. Start with appropriate expectations: Let fun happen and relax and know that some of the best photos are those where noone is actually looking at the camera, but everyone is having fun and being themselves. Go into your shoot ready to connect with the most important people in your life! Don't be afraid to move, run, jump, tickle, laugh...I will "guide" you, but my goal is for you to be YOU and to interact with your family in a way that isn't boxed in by work or school or company...it's just family time!
2. Make sure your littles are napped, fed and watered ahead of time : ) I know that sounds silly, but coming to a shoot hungry or super cranky/tired makes for stress on everyone. So, as far as you are able, make sure they are content in those areas first.
3. Bribing is OKAY :) Even though I mentioned #1, I KNOW that everyone wants at LEAST one picture of everyone looking at the camera...I get it...and I'm doing my best to get it for you...so in cases, where we have shy ones or super energetic, curious littles...it's okay to bribe a bit with a treat or special surprise. I like to call this motivation :)
4. Let the photographer guide you. It's my job...yes, you know your kiddos best and you are their authority figures...at the same time, parents are my easiest subjects to "pose"...so if you get in those positions, my energies can be spent acting silly to get smiles out of your littles.
5. Tell your kids about the experience ahead of time. For those that have been with me before, you know this is all "old hat"...your kiddos come with notes and treats and hugs to give me each year. It's one of my favorite things because not only do they remember "me", but they remember that it isn't a stressful thing, but rather an activity with mom & dad that is FUN...and they are looking forward to it, instead of resenting the "getting dressed up", etc. You can reason with little ones too...explaining not only the fun, but showing them fun pictures of the past...ways to remember things.
6. Accentuate the Positive: As a former teacher, and as a mom of older daughters, I can tell you that the best motivation for kiddos is positive reinforcement. I'm not saying that discipline isn't needed...rather, instead of saying, "don't smile like that" try something like, "hmmm, how many boogers do you see up my nose?" OR "I wonder how ticklish you are?"
7. Try not to focus on the final product. The perfect family photo may not necessarily be the one you envision...and remember what I mentioned in the beginning? That no two stories or families are exactly the same? Neither are any two CHAPTERS in your life story either...
so this year,
this 2018...
this is LIFE...
the way it is...
the good, the bad, the beautiful mess...
embrace the moments you have with your spouse, your son or daughter...
love on them, relax with them and let me document those story elements for you to cherish!
