Preparing for your session

The big question: what to wear?

I would suggest picking two main colors and an accent color. Below are some color ideas.

5 Tips to help your photographer (me) get great shots of your kids:

 1. Take a step back and allow me to interact with your child.

 Sometimes parents can be intimidating asking or threatening the child to smile.  Don't worry, I love playing and interacting with kids. Part of my role as a photographer is to help them feel relaxed so we can get natural smiles.  Also, if you are talking to them while the photographer is trying to work,  they will be looking above or to the side of the photographer, instead of at the camera. Don't worry about getting the perfect poses either. Some of the best shots are children playing the way they like to play!

2. Don’t stress out, freak out or panic

This can be hard to do. I know.  You want so badly to have perfect photos.  But if you're stressed or freaked out, your children will feel that vib and not be relaxed either.  Trust me, it's OK if your toddler doesn't want to sit still for 2 poses in a row.  In fact, I have found the most effective way to take photos of families with small children is to take a posed shot and then take some candids, then take a posed shot and then more candids. Children don't like to sit still.  They love to explore and play.  And some of the best shots are of them doing that!

During one session, the one year old would not stop screaming.  We got about 1 posed shot and then played and when we went back to the posed shots, he would not cooperate.  So what did we do? We played.  We sang songs and I snapped photos while he laughed and smiled as his mom was singing to him. Then his dad jumped in and we got a great shot. Being flexible and willing to play and work with the child is so important! Don't worry, a lot of times it feels like there are no good shots being taken but there are! I promise.

3. Communicate

Before your session, write your photographer about your MUST HAVE image.  That way they can be prepared ahead of time.  Also, if you have a shy child, tell your photographer a few things about them.  What are their favorite cartoons or toys?  Do you have pets?  Giving the photographer something to talk about with your child will help your child warm up to the photographer quicker.  If your child doesn’t like to be tickled or doesn’t like bugs or doesn’t like to get dirty, just be sure to tell your photographer ahead of time.  This way your photographer doesn’t do something your child doesn’t like.  Photographers have an hour or less to bond with your child and capture them the way you’ve seen them their own lives. Any information you can provide helps.

4.  Bring props, toys, blankets

I usually suggest parents bring their kids favorite toy, stuffed animal or blanket.   This helps me, the photographer, bond with your child.  Usually, those items are a source of security for your child.  It helps me ask questions and jump into playing with your children. In addition some of the best shots are more candid shots of a child playing with his or her favorite toy or sitting and reading a book.