How to Prepare Your Family for a Portrait Session
Scheduling a portrait session is easy. It is everything that comes next that will get you re-thinking your choice! Never fear, I am here to help you navigate prepping your family for your portrait session so there is no stress and only fun!
Here are some tips for preparing your family, at any age, for your portrait session!
PREPARING YOUR TODDLER.
Toddlers like to have fun. If something isn’t fun it will not keep their attention for long. With that in mind, know that I also like to have fun! Keeping your portrait session light and fun will help everyone, especially your toddler! Keeping toddlers entertained involves lots of movement and directions. You might hear me whisper things to your toddler like “run circles around Mom and Dad and tickle them!” or “Yell out your favorite ice cream flavor!”
These silly instructions are sure to bring on laughter from everyone and result in family portraits that will keep you smiling for years!
Tell your toddler before your session that we’re going to have fun! That is the most important thing for them to know! Promising them candy or a trip to walmart only holds them for so long, especially the younger ones, they don’t quite understand bribery yet. Let me save you some money, FUN is the key word! “We’re going to go have fun with Miss Tracy today!”
Packing a few small snacks, that will also keep fingers clean, and some water or juice is also a must. Kiddos need a break once in awhile. Especially if we move locations, the walk will be a perfect time for a snack and a drink break!
PREPARING YOUR TWEEN.
If your tween is anything like my daughter, the biggest obstacle is going to be the clothes. Let them pick, or help you pick, their clothes OR at least their jewelry/accessories. This gives them some control in the process. They might also have some ideas on location.
I find that tweens also like to have fun and some of them are just flat out silly once they get going. That is awesome! I love it when kids can joke with me and laugh with each other!
I was also informed by my daughter and her friend that a trip to the nail salon for your daughter IS appreciated before photos! ;)
Your tween might also need a snack or drink. Thats fine!
They also understand bribes ;) I have it on good authority that ice cream is an appropriate bribe!
PREPARING YOUR TEENAGER.
Teens are a fun age…! Some teens are all in for family photos and some will fight you on every turn! Even my own kids will fight me on photos some days. Tell your teen, “This is for Mom, the more you smile the quicker we’ll be done!” Getting your spouse on board with the positivity will also help you get everyone out the door! I never want to stretch out a session for longer than my clients are comfortable with. So, short and sweet, is a great phrase to use! Most of the time they’ll forget you promised that when we are in the moment!
Teens can also understand why you are requesting an updated family photo. Simple explanations go a long way, especially if you are getting ready to send your teen off to college soon. You can also promise them that it will not take more than an hour of their time!
Teens also understand bribery!
If you have a truly difficult teen, you can leave it to me! 9 out of 10 teens are respectful enough that, even if they’ve given you a huge headache, they will listen to me. I’m not their Mom, I can tell them things and they’ll usually play along because it would be rude not to! Once we get them loosened up a little they will more than likely have a good time!
PREPARING YOUR HUSBAND.
Yes, this is a section that I should write, because sometimes husbands are as bad as any age of children!
Your spouse should understand the importance of an updated family photo, however, I have had to tell my own husband in the past that he can have a beer before we go, or promise him an afternoon on the couch when we are done. (Bribes are okay for husbands!)
Husbands are the same as teens though, once they get there and get loosened up, they’ll have a good time! Even if they don’t show it! As long as we get them out of their ball cap and a few real smiles, I know any Mama will be happy!
Sometimes, you can also offer your husband to bring a toy. Does he have an old car he loves? Is his dog his best friend? Husbands can be easy to sway if they also get to make some plans with you!
Family pictures should be FUN! If you are having fun with your most important people the experience will always be amazing! My current favorite family portrait of my little group is one where we are all laughing. I remember our son saying something silly and we all cracked up! Its the big one on our wall, and while it IS older, I haven’t been able to part with it just yet! I’m just adding our new ones around it!
This is what I want for your family! A family portrait that when you look at it years from today you’ll remember a small moment that is full of joy!
Let’s get to planning!
