Getting the whole family together for a picture session can feel daunting and chaotic, especially if you have little ones. Here are a few tips that you can implement when your preparing for your family session, that will help the whole thing run little smoother. 

1. Be Punctual. Mini sessions are short and simple, which makes it easier to focus on getting the family together and keeping them focused, but also means you have less time for dilly dallying.

It is important to show up to your mini session just a little before your scheduled start time in order to get everyone round up and ready to hop in front of the camera. The quicker you can jump into shooting the more time you will have actually getting pictures taken.

2. Coordinate your outfits, don’t match. There is a difference between looking good as a family in coordinated clothes and looking like “The Brady Bunch” on holiday with matching T-Shirts.

When you go to select your outfits try and select varying shades and colors that compliment each other. White is always a classic go to and you can always throw some gold or other natural tone to mix it up a bit, especially for Holiday sessions!

3. Dress for the weather. If your shoot is outdoors, it is important to keep the weather in mind when you are planning your outfits. Sweating or shivering doesn’t tend to make for the most flattering images.

4. Bribery isn’t always bad. Mini sessions are great when you have young kids with short attention spans, but sometimes it still helps to give them a little more incentive.

Promising a treat if they behave during the shoot can help them go just a little bit longer, so you can get the most of the session. It could also be fun to go out as a family for some ice cream after a successful shoot.

5. Kids will Be Kids. With that being said, kids are sometimes uncontrollable, but that’s what makes them kids right? Enjoy their goofiness and laugh along with them, because that’s what will give you those killer candid moments that everyone loves to remember!

Hopefully this has helped you feel more prepared for your upcoming mini session. Everything else aside the most important tip I can give you, is to relax and remember to have fun!

The best photos are the ones that aren’t planned and posed. It is important to keep the mood light and enjoy the time you are spending with your family. If you focus on simply being with your family, enjoying their company, the photographer will take care of the rest!