Everyone’s ready with their good spirits, big smiles, and best clothes. The kids are behaving and the sun is out shining. It’s a perfect day for a great family photo shoot. Or is it? For Pam Dave Zaring’s family, it definitely was not. Just take a peek at the result of their little family photo shoot:
Ok. This is NOT a joke. We paid a photographer, who claimed to be a professional, $2-250 for a family photo shoot. …
Posted by Pam Dave Zaring on Friday, 12 January 2018
Well, the family did get viral fame and laughs from it, but they definitely did not get the great family photos they wanted in the first place.
If you’re planning your own family photo shoot, then don’t just wish and pray for great photos. Make it happen. Although great photos are also largely dependent on the photographer, here are a few tips you can do to ensure that your family will feel great during your family photo shoot, and will thus, look great on the subsequent family photos:
1. Choose your outfits carefully.
Of course, looking your best on your family photos is a must, but also consider your outfits carefully – especially for the little ones. Babies and toddlers tend to be fidgety or even downright cranky when they are uncomfortable in their clothes, so it would be best to consider this. Also, consider your chosen venue’s weather (for outdoor shoots) or temperature (for indoor shoots).
2. Ensure that the whole family is well-rested and fed.
Don’t schedule your family photo shoot during your child’s naptime or bedtime, as cranky and sleepy kiddos can be a handful. Also, don’t forget to ensure that everyone has had a full meal before the photo shoot and that you have snacks on hand for each member of the family. It can be pretty hard to smile and have fun on an empty stomach.
3. Don’t go for cheese.
Telling your kids to say “cheese” to the camera can be so old-fashioned and can result in strained, unnatural, and even unflattering photographs. Good photographers can interact well with their subjects and can coax natural smiles from almost anyone, even kids. So step back a bit and let your photographer do his work. Of course, you can also help out by talking to your kiddo if he’s feeling a bit shy.
4. Don’t forget to have fun.
The best photos are the ones that capture natural, raw moments, so just have fun with your family. Play with your kids, kiss and joke around with your partner. Laugh. Embrace. Kiss. Play. Snuggle.
5. Do your homework.
In this case, homework being research. The success of any photoshoot largely depends on the photographer, so do your research well before hiring one. Ask recommendations from friends, check out his portfolio, and set an initial meeting to get a feel of him before finalizing your contract. At the same time, you can also look for photo pegs or inspirations that you can show to your photographer so that he can get a feel of what you want.
