Family photoshoots don't have to be stressful! I know that planning the wardrobe alone can be overwhelming, but I am here to give five tips & advice that will make your session planning successful and fun! Because that's what a family session is all about! A time you are together and a memory you will have for today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows after that.

1. Preparing 101 for everyone!

For the younger kids, it's all about making the event exciting. There's Nothing Wrong with being the hype man or (mom). Children often feed off of our emotions. So if you are showing you are stressed out about the session, your kids often will be too. Get them excited! You can practice poses in the mirror, tell them they will wear unique clothes for the session and don't be afraid to reward them for good behavior. "After the photoshoot, we can go get ice cream or a Lamborghini.

Mom... You are beautiful. I recently had a family session myself, and I admit I panicked about my appearance. We worry about hair, weight – all the usual stuff. But, let me tell you now – stop worrying about it. You are who you are, and your family loves you. A stray hair or a couple of pounds on or off won't make any difference to your shoot. Take a long good look in the mirror. Say "I love you" to your reflection and move on. Sometimes parents will say they want me to photograph their children, and they don't know if they need or want to be in the picture. I strongly recommend that you get in the frame. You are just as important as the rest of the family, and you need to exist in photos too.

Usually, Mom, you're the person who booked the session, which means that sometimes the dad doesn't know much about the process. This can sometimes lead to'‘GrumpyDad'’ syndrome. To avoid this happening, It's worth having a chat with your partner about the shoot. Show them my website so they can see other family shoots. Discuss what you might like to do with the images afterward – wall art, family keepsake album, etc. Get them involved in how to prepare for your family photoshoot. Try and engage them in the process.

I know that may sound silly to say, but photoshoot day can be a little hectic, so plan your ahead meal and be sure to get the kids down at a good time. If they are still napping, we try to coordinate around nap times. If we are shooting outdoors, we typically shoot one to two hours before sunset, accommodate families, and do sunrise sessions. A happy well-rested/fed kid is the most important tip!

Bring snacks. It's worth bringing along a treat that might be persuasive, just in case. 

Good Snacks

Dried fruit

goldfish

cheese cubs

jelly beans ( in moderation, too many can get stuck in teeth)

Snacks to avoid

Chocolate ( sorry, that's my favorite too )

lollipops take too long to each very sticky

ice cream

Try to book your session on a day you don't have any other significant events going on. (Weddings, birthday parties, business events) or after a big event. (Superbowl, WorldCup) we want everyone rested (including dad). Since I shoot at golden hour, typically, that involves traveling to your session (depending on the time of the year) during rush hour. If we are shooting downtown, parking can take a lot of extra time, and unfortunately, I can make the sun stay up longer.

Clothing choices. Think very carefully about what you’re going to wear, from your top down to your shoes. I recommend laying all the outfits out next to each other, taking a photo, and sending it to me at least 2-3 weeks before our session. I also offer styling and personal shopping for your session. Just ask me!

Enjoy this time together! Your family photoshoot is a time to relax and enjoy each other's company! You don't have to always look at the camera. Some of the best images I get are unposed. I will help guide you through the entire session. Think of the photo session as a chilled-out family walk in the beautiful countryside:

• No phones.
• Just nature in all her glory.
• A friendly photographer to keep you company.

There's no pressure for anyone to perform or behave in a certain way. I have three children myself and have been in this business for over 13 years. Your children won't do anything I haven't seen before, trust me.

Let each child be the star. I will take a few photos of each child alone, so they each have their time to shine. I also suggest mom and dad take advantage of this time to allow me to capture a photo of just the two of you.

I hope you found these tips helpful. If you are interested in a family shoot of your own...