As summertime approaches, many families hope to capture family photos to savor the sweet stage of life they are currently in with their little ones. While coordinating family photos can be entail a little bit of chaos, the end result is always so very worth it! From finding a photographer and coordinating outfits, to getting through the session without meltdowns, there are so many details to consider. At times, the whole process can feel a little bit overwhelming. You just can't get these little years back however, and having those photos to savor forever helps these special years of raising children to linger just a little bit longer. We have compiled some of our top tips from our years spent styling our little boutique models on photoshoot days, as well as our own family for photos. From all of us here at Shop MLP, we hope that the following highlights inspire you to get started!
*Step One: Find the Right Photographer
When you are coordinating a crew of kids, parents and possibly even some pets, finding a photographer with patience is a must! Share your vision for your photos with your photographer and ask for their input, too. Let them know ahead of time how your little ones typically respond to photos and be sure to let them know if anyone in the group needs special accommodations. In addition to communicating with them about your family's needs, ask for their input on location suggestions. Upon deciding on a location for the photos to be taken, you will also need to decide on the time of day. Your photographer should be able to provide insight on the best times of day to achieve the very best lighting. We personally tend to choose the golden hour at sunset!
If you are local to the Charleston area, we adore our family photographer, and you can find her booking information here:
Amber Joy Photography (mypixieset.com)
Amber Joy Photography (@amberjoyphotography) • Instagram photos and videos
*Step Two: Coordinate the Outfits
This one just might be our favorite part! When discussing your vision for your family photos with the photographer, let them know if you have preferences for the color palette of the outfits. Some colors of clothing photograph better than others, so it is important to keep that in mind, along with the location and time of day that the photos will be captured. Lighting will affect the end result and considering all of these points are a crucial part of the process!
When we plan family photoshoot outfits for our own little ones, we want the magic of childhood to be conveyed well through the photos while creating a timeless look. This is easily achieved by styling them in classic, light and airy clothing. Think seersucker, linen and a little bit of cotton for the material. Bishop dresses and bubbles work well for the girls while seersucker shorts and shortalls are precious for the boys. For women, we love flowy pieces and typically gravitate towards long dresses! Long maxis or sundresses are a simple way to convey elegance while allowing for easy movement when lifting and interacting with your babies during the session. For the men, a good pair of jeans or khakis with a tailored top creates a ruggedly handsome wardrobe!
*Step Three: Prep Everything & Enjoy!
Once you have decided on the time of day that would be most conducive, pack a little bag of incentives to bring along to the photo session. Be sure to include food items like fruit snacks or cheerios for the kids if needed to help them cooperate for the camera! Avoid food items that can potentially make a mess (think juice boxes, applesauce pouches, chips or snacks with dye). We always recommend taking your little ones to the photo location in a separate outfit and then dressing them right before the session begins. That way, you can avoid any accidents or stains on the car ride over. During the photos, do your best to stay calm if tantrums, shyness or unexpected behaviors ensue. Most children will act a little bit differently when working with a photographer, so these kinds of behaviors are to be expected. Keep your expectations realistic and know that sometimes, posed photos just are not going to happen with small children. You may even find the candid photos to be your favorites ones anyway as those tend to capture the real moment the best!
Wishing you all a beautiful summer filled with memories! Whether you capture them with a camera or simply capture them in your heart...this season of life spent raising your family will always be worth savoring!
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