Helpful Tips For The Perfect Photoshoot With Your Kid | New Jersey Photographer
I wanted to share a few tips to help prepare you and your family for your upcoming photo shoot and also wanted to be the reassurance you need!
It is so much fun to photograph and work with these little ones and we have some beautiful photos to share with their parents and family! I try to capture an array of emotions with each shoot; from laughs, smiles, and giggles to tears, screaming, and being shy. Or all of them in one shoot! One theme became apparent, and it hit me that I needed to blog about this. Many parents had tons of anxiety about this and even felt that one small meltdown ruined their entire shoot, absolutely not! I wanted to share a few tips to help prepare you and your family and wanted to be the reassurance you need!
Dress for the weather. It seems simple, but extra layers on a warm day or too little clothing mixed with a cool breeze can be the first problem of a shoot that can lead it down a rough path.
Reel in your expectations. We totally understand you booked your session and have a fantastic idea in mind or a pose you so desperately want. We love to do our best to make that happen! But, the more expectation, pressure, and direction we start giving to young ones can easily frustrate them. Especially when in a different environment and having a camera clicking away at you. Give us ideas of things you have seen and would love, we can create situations and place you in positions to be ready to capture those special moments!
Don’t freak out if they begin to cry or become fussy. We know you don’t want teary eyed photos, but trust us when we say you definitely don’t want photos of you looking upset or frustrated either. Many times, mom or dad can be consoling their little one and those make some of the best shots. It’s genuine and real, but most importantly it is your life and those little moments are something to certainly treasure years from now.
Plan a day and time that works for your schedule. We try to be as flexible as we can, but if you know nap time is always between 1-3 please don’t schedule an early afternoon session. Even if you feel you can lay them down earlier or later, it almost never works out. Also, keep it relaxed that day. If they had school or events going on, maybe schedule your session for another day when there is less going on. And another big tip – give them a little snack to avoid that hangriness feeling we all get! As my wife can attest, sometimes even I need a Snickers!
Rewards do help. This is totally up to you, but it has worked many times for us. We will never say “if you’re good, mommy and daddy will...”. But, if there is a reward you know they will like that could get some cooperation for 10 minutes, we can bounce off that and it helps!
We will do our best to make your child smile, but we can’t guarantee it. As we photograph, we try our best to direct attention to the camera and get those smiling photos for you. We ask for assistance a lot from mom and dad right behind the camera, because who knows what makes your baby laugh more than you do? Even though we have been known to be quite goofy behind the camera ourselves! But unfortunately, sometimes babies and kids know this just isn’t right and they aren’t having it. I was one of those kids! So, there is no reason to be flustered because they won’t. Again, it goes hand in hand with reeling in your expectations. Therefore, we like to do a combination between portraits and lifestyle. With lifestyle, it is much easier to get those genuine reactions and smiles when we can stand on the side lines and capture those special moments! Not to mention, they feel the most real and exactly how your life is.
Talk to your kids. Let them know they are getting photos done by us. You can show them the About Me page on the website so they can see my face, you can show them our logo, or even show them some other photos we took of other kids and their families! Now is also a good time to mention rewards if you choose to do so. We have allowed kids to help us shoot, they love it. Tell them they can help us out for the day. It is amazing to see the little artists at work!
Most of all, come to have fun. We have been fortunate enough to photograph many families with children. And like I mentioned earlier, sometimes there is combinations of emotions from hysterical laughs to hysterical crying. Nothing is by the book and cookie cutter; it is simply going with the flow when having young ones. Trust in our ability to make the best out of the situation and create the images you will love and cherish for many years.
What to Wear to Your Family Portrait Session | New Jersey Photographer
One of the most common questions clients ask once they book their family portrait session is, “What should we wear?” You’re in luck - here are a few tips on dressing everyone in your family for your portraits!
One of the most common questions clients ask once they book their family portrait session is, “What should we wear?” Dressing your family members for their photos can be a challenge, because you want everyone to look good together without matching completely. Not only that, you want your kids to be comfortable, or they’re sure to complain and lose patience. It’s a lot for parents to figure out! You’re in luck — here are a few tips on dressing everyone in your family for your portraits.
Avoid bright colors and obvious patterns
Even if you love to wear bright colors, they don’t look good on everyone, they’re incredibly hard to match, and they pull the eye away from the important part of the photo — your faces! To ensure your family is all dressed in the same color palette, stick with neutral colors that mesh well together. Neutrals offer a more timeless look and help you avoid the potential issue of bright colors clashing with one another and distracting from your faces. Large or bright patterns will have the same affect, and if one person is wearing patterns and others are not, that person will stand out. And believe it or not, white has the same effect, unless your portrait is going to be at the beach. I have found that various shades of blue work pretty well in this situation, but that is not cast in stone.
Play with layers
A great way to “stay neutral” and at the same time to spice up everyone’s outfits is by adding layers. This has the added benefit of allowing you to remove pieces for different looks without trying to get everyone changed. Go for jackets, cardigans, or even accessories like scarves and hats that can be easily taken on and off.
Try on your clothes ahead of time
Be sure to have everyone try on their outfits well before your family portrait session, especially if they’re new clothes. Make sure that everything looks good together and each style is suited to each member of your family. You can all wear different fits as long as it’s flattering to your body types. A fitted outfit looks much better than a loose one, as long as it’s still comfortable, which bring us to the next point…
Consider comfort and movement
Yes, you want everyone to look as good as possible, and you especially want your kids to look cute — but you definitely want them to be comfortable. If your kids hate wearing their outfits, they’re more likely to throw a fit or refuse to smile, and that’s the last thing you want! Keep it simple with a nice shirt and jeans or a comfortable dress — something that allows your child to move around easily, so they can play and have fun during your family portrait session.
Stay away from graphics and logos
It can sometimes be a challenge to talk your child out of their favorite shirt, but you want to stay away from graphic tees and other clothing with logos or brand names on them. Like patterns and bright colors, these designs distract from your smiling faces and take the focus in your photos away from you.
Make sure you’re comfortable, too
Don’t focus so much on your children’s comfort that you forget about your own! Ladies, if you choose to wear a dress or skirt, make sure it’s long enough so that you can move and pose comfortably. Try on your outfit beforehand as well and move around the house in it to make sure you have the full range of motion. Avoid itchy fabrics or anything that will be irritating throughout your session.
It takes a little planning, but you can choose outfits that make your whole family look amazing, ensuring you get photos you’ll love and cherish for years to come!
Why You Should Take Yearly Family Portraits | New Jersey Photographer
How many times have you wanted to take a family photo, maybe for your Christmas cards, and then simply been too busy? Life gets hectic, and you find you don’t have time to wrangle everyone and get them to sit down for a proper photo. Here are a few reasons why you should schedule a yearly family photo!
How many times have you wanted to take a family photo, maybe for your Christmas cards, and then simply been too busy? Life gets hectic, and you find you don’t have time to wrangle everyone and get them to sit down for a proper photo. Or maybe you have bunches of photos of your children, but none with both you and your spouse in them because one of you is always taking the pictures.
This is where a professional family photo shoot is a great idea. Instead of worrying about getting everyone together, taking the photos yourself, and getting them printed, you can let a professional do all that for you, providing you with memories to cherish for the rest of your life. They also will edit your photos and arrange for them to be printed, so you know you’re getting the best quality images of your family.
Capture changes in your family.
From first steps to braces to high school, as your kids grow up, you don’t want to miss a moment. Having an annual family photo taken allows you to document all the changes in your family, whether it’s a new addition or a rapidly growing child. Professional family photos will be something you and your children can look back on for years to come.
Create art for your home.
What better way to decorate your home or office than with beautiful photos of the ones you love? You may have plenty of photos of your kids snapped on your cell phone and even some selfies of the whole family, but those are hardly the kind of pictures you want blown up on canvas and hanging above the fireplace. A professional family photo shoot helps you ensure that everyone will be in the photo, looking their best. Don’t have wall space? There are many wonderful options on photo books and albums for your coffee table!
Start a tradition.
Whether you grew up taking family photos or not, it’s a great tradition to start with your family. One day your grandchildren and maybe even their children will look back on your family photos, so it’s important to have quality, professional images for future generations to enjoy. And once you start the tradition of taking family photos each year, your children can continue it when they have families of their own.
Share with friends and family.
Each year I love getting holiday cards from friends and relatives that have photos in them. I look forward to seeing how they look and how much their children have grown. Don't you think your friends and family would love to see a great portrait of you and your family?
Eliminate the stress of taking your own photos.
Professional photographers will give you guidelines about the best way to be prepared for your family photo session. Having someone else handle the details will take the stress off of you!
The next time you’re thinking about how much you need an updated family photo, consider scheduling a session with a professional photographer—and make it a tradition that your family can enjoy for years to come.
How to Prepare for Your Family Photo Session | New Jersey Photographer
A family photo session can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent, but the results are well worth the effort. To help you feel a little less stressed about getting everyone dressed and smiling, here’s a handy guide on how to prepare for and make the most of your family session.
Family photos hold a special place in our lives and in our hearts. These are images we’ll look back on for years to come, images that our children and grandchildren will look at to remind themselves of where they came from and how much their family has changed and grown.
Tracking your family’s growth is a great reason to take annual family photos. But once you’ve booked your session, you may be feeling some trepidation:
How am I going to get all the kids to behave?
What should everyone wear?
What if our pictures turn out terrible because no one will cooperate?
A family photo session can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent, but the results are well worth the effort. To help you feel a little less stressed about getting everyone dressed and smiling, this handy guide will help you prepare for and make the most of your family session!
Preparing for Your Session
Schedule at the right time of day
When it comes to photographing young children, scheduling is everything. You don’t want to schedule a photo shoot right in the middle of naptime and end up with a cranky toddler. In the same way, if your session runs over into dinnertime, your little one may throw a tantrum. Even if you want “golden hour” images, consider your kids and what time of day they’re most alert, awake, and content. It’s better to have your photos taken in the middle of the day than to struggle with frustrated, grumpy children just to get that gorgeous evening light.
Talk to your kids beforehand
A photo session is not something you want to drag your kids to without warning them. Take time to sit your kids down and explain what they can expect at the family session and how they should behave. Emphasize the fun aspects of a photo shoot: They can pretend to be models and even ham it up a little for the camera. Just remind them the importance of listening to you and the photographer and following instructions.
Get inspired
Think about what kind of images you want and talk to your photographer about your options. Would you prefer a studio session or one outside at a favorite park or spot in your town? Maybe you want an in-home session where the photographer can capture your family in their natural environment. Whatever you choose, be sure to speak with your photographer beforehand about what you’re hoping to achieve, as well as any special requirements you or your family may need.
Choose what to wear
While kids definitely look adorable in their dressiest outfits, you’re better off choosing something they’re comfortable in. That goes for your whole family, including you. Everyone will feel more like themselves in their favorite outfits. Just be sure everyone coordinates well and avoid bright colors or patterns that can be distracting.
The Day of Your Session
Pack your bag
If you have kids, you’re familiar with how much stuff you need to bring along with you when you go places, and a family photo session is no different. Here are some items we recommend you pack for your photo shoot:
An old blanket to sit on - perfect for cozy outside images
Backup outfits - You never know when someone will get a little messy!
Lint roller - This is a must if you’re including pets in the session
Favorite toys - A great way to keep little ones happy
Snacks and water - Nothing boosts a kid’s mood quite like a favorite snack! Just go for something that isn’t too messy
Tissues - As a parent, you probably always have these on hand, but you’ll need them to wipe messy noses
Keep an eye out for illness
If you or one of your children comes down with the flu the day of your session, talk to us about rescheduling. These things happen, and we’re more than happy to work with you to find a better time to capture your family photos.
UPDATE 2020: Because of COVID-19 concerns, the session will be cancelled if anyone in your party arrives showing symptoms. While we are vaccinated, we will not take the chance of passing it on to someone who may not be. Non-refundable deposits will not be used towards a future date and the session will need to be re-booked.
Remove any unnecessary items
Before your photographer starts snapping pictures, be sure to take any keys, phones, or wallets out of pockets and remove any hair ties or Fitbits from your wrists. All these items can be tucked away into your bag, so you know exactly where they are and don’t have to stress about searching for your keys later.
Make a day of it
While your actual session may only take a few hours, it’s a good idea to make the day a relaxing one. That means no additional activities for the kids (unless you want to take everyone out for a treat after the session) and no work for you. Just spend a relaxing day at home before and after your session.
Give yourself plenty of time
Instead of rushing out the door 15 minutes later than expected, get everyone ready early and give yourself at least 30 minutes to get to your session location. You may even want to look at traffic reports and give yourself even more time if necessary. If you’re in a rush, you’ll feel stressed and anxious, and that’s no way to start a family photo shoot! Be sure to give yourself plenty of breathing room so you can arrive comfortably early to your session.
Stay calm
I know, it’s easier said than done. But if you’re stressed out, your kids will sense it, and suddenly everyone is having a not-fun time. Besides, genuine smiles look so much better than forced ones, and you want your family photos to capture your authentic joy and personalities!
Offering Gratitude Sessions | New Jersey Photographer
I wanted to give back to the community and I think this may really resonate with folks.
I am honored to announce that I am offering One to One Gratitude sessions for Essential workers.
Why, you ask? As friends with essential workers I know it’s hard out there. It’s not only hard on the person, but it’s hard on the family. In my community, there are so many people that are leaving their homes to help people, stocking the grocery store shelves, doctors, nurses, police, fire, drug store operators, restaurants that are offering To-Go or delivery, and so many more essential workers. You are all helping us, the people of New Jersey and beyond.
I am extremely grateful for you.
I’m grateful because people are sacrificing their own time and family to help out mine and yours.
Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
In honor of these heroes, all local family sessions booked between now and the 15th of May will receive an additional photo session for an essential front line worker of your choice and their family. And if you’re not in a position to invest at the moment, but would love to be a part of giving back, please send me an email at Shawn@Kricksmithphotography.com and nominate an essential worker that you’d like to see receive a complimentary family photo session. I know this will eventually pass and we will be gathered together again. Until then please keep cheering each other on. Your love and resilience are powerful. *All photo sessions to take place (of course!) when social distancing guidelines have been lifted and it is safe.
To book, go to www.kricksmithphotography.com/gratitude or shoot me an email! We are in this together!