Tips for a Stress-Free Family Photo Shoot

It has been years since our family had a photoshoot, and I am so excited to share the photos we took with you. I also thought it would be helpful to share a few tips today about photoshoots that will help you prepare for your own. If you are interested, please read on.

Click HERE to get details and item recommendations on our outfits. 

I called and booked our favorite photographer, Bleudog Fotography, who I entrust with all my fashion blog shots, to come and take photographs of our crew. I was beyond excited to finally get our picture taken together as a family.

Elijah’s Outfit Details:

This year’s family photoshoot was extra–special because of Reece, our pet dog, who came on–set with us. She had never been in our family photos before, so it was fun having her share that experience with us, and as a bonus, Reece’s poses and smiles truly brought life to the pictures.

Reece Dog Costume Ideas:

What to Do Before a Family Photoshoot

Preparing for a family photoshoot is more stressful than it sounds, so I, your wonderful friend and favorite blogger, will be giving you tips on how to prepare for the perfect family photoshoot.

Emi’s Outfit Details:

Make a To-Do List

To-do lists have saved lives on countless occasions and will definitely save your family photoshoot! Making a to-do list helps you to create a mental picture of how the day should go. It also helps you to organize and plan your day in order to prevent unforeseen circumstances. Items I like to take into consideration when scheduling a photoshoot are: the location for the photos, possible times for best lighting, the days of the week that work best for the entire family, and our clothing and accessories.

Chloe’s Outfit Details:

Prepare Your Outfits

Never, and I mean never, wait until the last day to plan your outfits or source props. Why? Because it‘s important to make this experience as stress-free as possible. Selecting the right outfits—which is key to a successful family photoshoot—is best done in advance. Besides, planning outfits for you and your family can be so much fun. I love getting inspiration from Pinterest and looking back at my past family photoshoots or those of friends who I am inspired by. You will find this tip most valuable: what helps me in planning a beautiful aesthetic for a family photo shoot is identifying a main color or pattern and designing the looks around this anchoring element. Case in point: the main theme for this photoshoot was navy blue, and we all used shades of blue to complement it.

Select Simple, Natural, and Fun Poses

You have to remember that not everyone possesses long attention spans or is photogenic, especially little ones, who are known for their short attention spans (i.e., my 10–year–old son Elijah). To counteract this, research poses and/or family groupings before the photoshoot, to help you select family poses that are fun and comfortable for all members. Laughing, snuggling, tickling, or any playful and interactive family pose brings natural and fun elements into the pictures, creating a beautiful family photograph.

Albert’s Outfit Details:

This pre-planning also prevents squabbles and arguments about poses on the day of the shoot. Honestly, this has to be why it is worth paying a professional photographer to take your family photos, because they have an eye for what looks harmonious and beautiful, and you don’t have to worry about anything (except smiling!)

Debbie’s Brocade Dress Inspo and Jewelry:

Review All Hair, Nail, and Make-up Appointments

Well-done hair, nails, and make-up will enhance your family photographs‘ overall aesthetic. Always check up on any beauty appointments and try to complete them well before the day of your shoot. There have been times when I have gone to the expense of getting my hair and make–up done, and it looked amazing. Then again, many times I have done my own hair and make–up, and it looked great too (to my surprise). I guess after years having photos taken, my takeaway is to do what is comfortable for you.

If you need help with hair and make-up, it is definitely worth paying for, because simply put, you are worth it. However, if you are confident in your own skills, then do it yourself. Bottom line: don’t stress. You want to show up feeling easy and happy, especially if you have kids in tow.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothes

I know you want to slay in your family photos, but it is advisable to wear clothing items that are comfortable and easy to move around in. As I have said before, photoshoots are more stressful than they look, so it’s always best to dress comfortably or bring your comfy clothes in a bag with you as a Plan B. There is also the option of bringing a back–up outfit, in case you decide you hate what you and/or your family are wearing.This is especially important if you have young kids. Pack an extra set of clothes in case of any accidents.

Debbie’s Lace Sheath Dress Inspo: 

Large Hoop Earrings:

Speaking of accidents in these photos, I once made the mistake of leaving my nude stilettos heels at home! I was so worried about everyone else that I forgot about myself, lol, and left my bag of nice shoes at the doorstep. So, to go with the flow we all decided to remove our shoes, and you know what—it turned out great! The tips above will help you and your family members to be 100% ready for your photoshoot, removing all the hustle, bustle, and hassle from the process of creating a memorable and beautiful photograph with your loved ones.