Summer and fall are some of the most popular times to get family pictures. Schedules are more flexible. The colors are beautiful. Weather is more predictable. Today, we are giving some helpful tips to make sure you get amazing family pictures!
(Note: I am not trying to endorse my work but I will use my photography to help show examples)
1. Chose a photographer that YOU like.
Every photographer has a different style and it's so important you pick a photographer that uses a style you like. A photographer can be a fantastic photographer but if they don't shoot or edit in the style you like there is a good chance you will not be happy with the photos. Extensively check out their portfolio. You can look at all of their photos but specifically check out the family photos (since that's the kind of pictures they will be doing). Many photographers specialize in a certain area and just because you love their newborns doesn't necessarily mean you will love their family photos. Make sure you check out the editing as well do they did to have warmer tones to their pictures or brighter or more vintage and make sure they do what you want.
You also want a photographer that has a personality you can work with. If your personality clashes with the photographer, it can be hard for you to communicate what kind of pictures you are wanting.
If there are certain poses you want, be sure to ask! Most photographers will be willing to try out some of your ideas to make sure you get what you want.
2. Chose a location best for your family.
Families often will ask me where they should get their pictures done, I hate to choose the location for people since I don't always know what they are looking for, but I often give them a few suggestions providing a couple of different types of scenery. It doesn't hurt to ask your photographer if they have any favorite locations to shoot at and have them give you a couple of places to chose from. Chose a location that you love or goes with the chosen outfits or something to help describe your family.
This couple wanted to take advantage of the beautiful falls here and we found a park with lots of leaves and multiple trees in different colors.
While some chose to use nature as their backdrop others prefer to show off their city.
Any location can be great, as long as it works with your family. A location with few distractions is often best to keep the family focused. If you have little kids, try not to pick a place that is too distracting for them. Parks are great, but if it's right next to a playground you might have a hard time keeping your kids where you want them for the pictures. Beaches can work great for some kids, but for others they may just end up wanting to play and get wet and/or dirty.
It's also a good idea to have a location that will have several different backdrops. I love places that have a couple of "good" areas so the pictures can have variety without changing location.
3. Time of Day
Timing of the day is important to avoid shadows and squinty eyes. Obviously, a cloudy sky is best but since you can't plan your pictures around the weather the next best thing is the time of day. I like to shoot a couple of hours before sunset. Fortunately, you can google this and find out when sunset will be for your city and exact date. A couple of hours before sunset is ideal, since the sun is less intense and with it setting soon you get less sun in people's eyes.
If evening doesn't work, morning is also great. I try to avoid shooting between 11-2 since the sun is the strongest at this time. If you have to shoot during the late morning or early afternoon, find a location with a lot of shade (enough shade that you won't have shadows).
But it's also important to pick a time of day where your family will be most happy! If your kids are cranky in the morning, morning may not be your best option. :)
4. Outfits
Kim will talk more about choose an outfit, but I wanted to point out that you can have great outfits chosen but if they don't go with the location you chose the pictures won't turn out as well as you hope. I generally like to go with bright colors for pictures, but if you have a location that has a lot of bright colors then neutral colors can look just as good.
This family went with grey and blacks but since there was so much color behind them it worked great!
This family went with white and lighter colors, but since the green was so vibrant it worked so well!
5. Have Fun!!
Let's face it, family pictures can be stressful. I always stress about finding the right outfits and location and then hoping my daughter cooperates for the pictures! But it's also important to be relaxed and have fun. I think the best pictures are the pictures where the whole family is easy going about everything and just having fun. The whole family is more relaxed, including the mom. This helps since there is less stress but you can also get some cute candid photos! Enjoy your time with your family and your photographer!
(Note: I am not trying to endorse my work but I will use my photography to help show examples)
1. Chose a photographer that YOU like.
Every photographer has a different style and it's so important you pick a photographer that uses a style you like. A photographer can be a fantastic photographer but if they don't shoot or edit in the style you like there is a good chance you will not be happy with the photos. Extensively check out their portfolio. You can look at all of their photos but specifically check out the family photos (since that's the kind of pictures they will be doing). Many photographers specialize in a certain area and just because you love their newborns doesn't necessarily mean you will love their family photos. Make sure you check out the editing as well do they did to have warmer tones to their pictures or brighter or more vintage and make sure they do what you want.
You also want a photographer that has a personality you can work with. If your personality clashes with the photographer, it can be hard for you to communicate what kind of pictures you are wanting.
If there are certain poses you want, be sure to ask! Most photographers will be willing to try out some of your ideas to make sure you get what you want.
2. Chose a location best for your family.
Families often will ask me where they should get their pictures done, I hate to choose the location for people since I don't always know what they are looking for, but I often give them a few suggestions providing a couple of different types of scenery. It doesn't hurt to ask your photographer if they have any favorite locations to shoot at and have them give you a couple of places to chose from. Chose a location that you love or goes with the chosen outfits or something to help describe your family.
This couple wanted to take advantage of the beautiful falls here and we found a park with lots of leaves and multiple trees in different colors.
While some chose to use nature as their backdrop others prefer to show off their city.
Any location can be great, as long as it works with your family. A location with few distractions is often best to keep the family focused. If you have little kids, try not to pick a place that is too distracting for them. Parks are great, but if it's right next to a playground you might have a hard time keeping your kids where you want them for the pictures. Beaches can work great for some kids, but for others they may just end up wanting to play and get wet and/or dirty.
It's also a good idea to have a location that will have several different backdrops. I love places that have a couple of "good" areas so the pictures can have variety without changing location.
3. Time of Day
Timing of the day is important to avoid shadows and squinty eyes. Obviously, a cloudy sky is best but since you can't plan your pictures around the weather the next best thing is the time of day. I like to shoot a couple of hours before sunset. Fortunately, you can google this and find out when sunset will be for your city and exact date. A couple of hours before sunset is ideal, since the sun is less intense and with it setting soon you get less sun in people's eyes.
If evening doesn't work, morning is also great. I try to avoid shooting between 11-2 since the sun is the strongest at this time. If you have to shoot during the late morning or early afternoon, find a location with a lot of shade (enough shade that you won't have shadows).
But it's also important to pick a time of day where your family will be most happy! If your kids are cranky in the morning, morning may not be your best option. :)
4. Outfits
Kim will talk more about choose an outfit, but I wanted to point out that you can have great outfits chosen but if they don't go with the location you chose the pictures won't turn out as well as you hope. I generally like to go with bright colors for pictures, but if you have a location that has a lot of bright colors then neutral colors can look just as good.
This family went with grey and blacks but since there was so much color behind them it worked great!
This family went with white and lighter colors, but since the green was so vibrant it worked so well!
5. Have Fun!!
Let's face it, family pictures can be stressful. I always stress about finding the right outfits and location and then hoping my daughter cooperates for the pictures! But it's also important to be relaxed and have fun. I think the best pictures are the pictures where the whole family is easy going about everything and just having fun. The whole family is more relaxed, including the mom. This helps since there is less stress but you can also get some cute candid photos! Enjoy your time with your family and your photographer!
No comments:
Post a Comment