How To Prepare For Your Shoot.
So, you’ve booked a photo shoot for you and your kids. Great! Here are some things to think about before your shoot.
What to wear
I get asked this a lot.
Key take away: don’t over think it!
The most important thing is to wear clothes that you would normally wear and not to get too ‘dressed up’ for the shoot. My style and approach is to capture your kids and your family as they usually are. For me, that does not mean everyone wears jeans and white shirts, for instance! If this is what you want to do then no problem at all but I reckon you don’t all wear the same thing every day.
So, keep it real, people!
In general, try to avoid clothing with heavy patterns and/or big logos. Plain and simple clothing works best and if you can match tonally with the others in the group then so much the better. Avoid black and avoid white if you can.
The most important thing is that everyone is happy with what they are wearing. Everyone should feel comfortable and ‘normal’. I completely understand that your kids will have very clear ideas of what they want to wear. My advice is to let them go with it, especially if they are little; they will be happier on the shoot as a result. I also understand that lots of kids clothes are really colourful and bright. This really isn’t a problem.
So, having said all that, my advice is that everyone should get up, get dressed, get in the car and come to the shoot as if they weren’t ‘having a photo shoot’. It’s easier and better for you and for me.
Go with the flow…
All my photography is done on location; I don’t have a studio and, frankly, can’t think of anything worse. For you or for me!
So, whether the shoot is at home or on location, the chances are the kids will end up sitting, rolling, jumping and generally being kids. This could be sitting on something, sitting on the floor, lying on the floor, lying on each other, sitting on you, sitting on the floor. You get the idea! If the kids feel it’s ok to get stuck in, run around and muck about if they want to (or if I encourage them to) then the photos will be all the better for it.
So, be ready to go with the flow, not worry too much about the clothes you are wearing or what you might get up to. You might get a little dirty or even a bit damp but it’s ok because the photos will be amazing, and that’s the point!
Persuasion & Bribery - try not to
It takes a lot of energy and persuasion to get the kids up, get them dressed, feed and water them, get them dressed again because they spilt something on themselves (or you), load everyone into the car, get to where you need to be when you need to be there and still swan around like you just won ‘Family of the Year’ and that a family photo shoot is exactly what everyone wants to be doing that day!
So, try not to think of it as anything other than heading out for a walk in the park or something similar. If I am coming to your house, it’s just a normal day. Try not to offer treats in return for good behaviour during the shoot. I want you and the kids to look like you are having a great time because you are actually having a great time. You’ll spot a fake smile a million miles off! It’s not about smiling either. It’s about laughing, and it’s a big part of my job to make your kids (and you!) laugh and have fun.
I really hope this helps but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.