We’ve all seen the images on Pinterest. The ones that have been liked and shared and pinned about a gazillion times. We’ve all sat on the couch, tablet or smartphone in hand, oohing and aahing over those gorgeous pictures that we could only dream of having for ourselves.
Well, I’m here to tell you, that can be a reality!
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a photographer to get some fantastic photos of your family that Pinterest World would drool over. Although, I’m not going to stand in your way if you wanted to spend thousands of dollars on my work!
Here are a few pieces of advice to getting the most out of your family portrait session and having a few Pinterest-worthy images to make your dreams come true.
1. Do your homework
- Choose the photographer that’s right for your family. What kind of images do they shoot? Do you want newborn pictures, but they only shoot weddings? Probably not your best fit. Do they shoot anything and everything that moves? Would you be better suited with a photographer that specializes in the exact type of photography you are looking for?
- Know your budget and what the photographer is offering you. Some photographers charge one price for their time and offer collections or products a la carte. Some photographers don’t offer a disc of images. Some photographers only offer a disc of images.
- What is your plan with your photos? Hopefully you’ll want to put them on your walls and give them as gifts to family members. If you know what you want to do with your final product, this will also help narrow down the search for your photographer.
2. Find some inspiration for outfits
- Look in your closet and pull out your favorite outfits
- What colors or styles does your family look good in?
- Browse clothing websites for ideas; Gap, Banana Republic, American Eagle, JCrew are just a few
- Coordinate your outfits. Please, for the love of Pete, don’t choose to put everyone in white shirts and khaki pants!
3. Plan ahead
- Know if you need to get your hair cut or colored again.
- Trim up your kiddo’s hair, no straggly bangs.
- Get your nails done, I promise; you will be glad you did this one.
- Polish up those shoes and remove any scuffs
4. Stay calm; keep that blood pressure low!
- As the mom (or dad) of the family, your kids look to you to set the example. Stay relaxed the day of your photo sessions, joke around with your family, and show them that you are excited for your pictures. If mom is relaxed, everyone is relaxed.
- Lay your outfits out the night before so there’s no last minute rushing around to try and find a missing sock.
5. Utilize your photographer
- They are the expert; use their expertise to help you get the best images possible.
- This isn’t their first rodeo; trust their advice on clothing choices, location options, and time of day to shoot.
- Enjoy your photoshoot and trust in the decisions that you’ve made. Let your kids be themselves and you will be more at ease.
All of this boils down to taking the time and effort to put a great photoshoot together. It is an investment on your part and the part of your photographer. The more you put into your photo session, the more you will get in return.
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