Glen Arbor Family Photographer | The Homestead Resort | 7 Tips For Making Your Family Photo Session

Let's face it - on family photo day, there is a good amount of stress is that is typically experienced leading up to your session. From outfit choices to bribing children for smiles (we're definitely not beneath this!) we know that it can be quite a production. Don't worry though! We’re here to help you take a deep breath & relax - you've got this! Here are some helpful tips and tricks to relieve your stress:

1. If possible, find the outfits (or at least the colors) you want your family to wear at least a month in advance and set them aside somewhere safe from stains. Then try them on a week ahead of time to ensure everything still fits comfortably and that you didn’t miss any marks or unseen holes. Photoshop is handy, but it really helps to have clean clothes lol!

1. As soon as your family changes out of their photo attire, make sure it is clean and pressed to be ready for the big day. Set the clothes together (sorted by person) and place them somewhere free from harm and dirt. Be sure to tell everyone that these are picture clothes and not to be worn until picture day. This will help to be sure that no articles of clothing go missing. Don’t forget about shoes, jewelry, belts, and other accessories.

1. About three to four days prior to the session, start talking with your husband and kids about the session and what will happen and how they should behave. If you plan to use a bribe, now is a good time to set that in place. Continue to talk to your children daily to prepare them for the session.

1. Two days prior to the session, pack a bag of everything you will need on picture day – snacks, props, bribery, etc. and put it somewhere you can grab it and go. Be sure to include wipes in case things get messy, an extra hairbrush, and other “emergency” items, such as bobby pins and a backup lipstick.

1. On the day of the session, make sure everyone is well fed, but not overfed. We don’t want sick little tummies from overeating, but we don’t want anyone getting “hangry” either (it's a real thing). Do not get your family dressed in their photo clothes until after they have eaten and brushed their teeth. This will prevent spills and other messy accidents.

1. If you have young children, avoid any colored drinks the day of the session until after we are finished. Nobody wants the juice mustache look, am I right? Also, have them wear a bib or drop cloth if they drink anything on the way to the session to save their shirts from wet spots or stains.

1. Once you get to the session, try to relax. If you have set a bribe, please let me know so I can use that throughout the session if the children get restless. Trust your photographers - know that I will take care of things and will deliver amazing photos of your family!

To see all the images from The Nienhuis Family Photo Session, click on any picture in this blog post!