Preparing your kids for our shoot!

Preparing Your Kids for a Family Photoshoot with me: Tips for a Fun and Memorable Session

Now that we have taken the step to meet and shoot and create magic ; here are a few pointers for making our morning/evening even more successful. 

I will guide you every step of the way on the day of our shoot because I want you to have a gallery full of gorgeous images that are more than memories - I want to see a wall full of our images printed and framed next time I show up to your house ;)  I will give direction and tell you what looks best, saying that I will continue to shoot after I have posed you. I want to capture the moments in between the moments too.

Family photoshoots are a fantastic way to capture the essence of your family’s personality and create lasting memories. A little preparation can go a long way. Here are some tips to help you get ready for a fun and successful photoshoot.

1. Choose the Right Outfits

Coordinate, Don’t Match: Opt for outfits that complement each other rather than matching exactly. Choose colors that work well together and avoid overly bright or busy patterns that might distract from the photo.

Comfort is key!Make sure your kids are comfortable in what they’re wearing. If they’re uncomfortable, it’ll show in the photos. Choose clothes that allow them to move freely and feel good. Try to avoid big logos or cartoon characters on shirts. 

 Color or earth tones are gorgeous (gray, white, beige, green, tan)  Try different kinds of texture, they look great and photograph beautifully! . Long dresses are magical and look amazing in among trees or by the water. I also love the denim and white/gray/beige/cream look. 

Less patterns seem to work best, white or bright, bold colors on your little ones are always super pretty. Try to avoid tops with logos on them. 

Steer clear of black or dark navy etc. Pastels look really pretty too. I am always available to help over the phone with your outfit- feel free to shoot me over some photos of what you are thinking. 415 724 0519 

My Pinterest page with lots of gorgeous outfit ideas : My Pinterest Board

I have lots of people RENT their outfits for their sessions. So fun, plus 40% off your first rental :  Rent The Runway

Prepare in Advance: Lay out the outfits a few days before the shoot. This gives you time to ensure everything fits well, is clean, and is ready to go. It also helps prevent any last-minute stress on the day of the shoot.   If in doubt- Please send me a picture of your outfits- 415 724 0519- I LOVE helping style a session. 

2. Talk to Your Kids About the Photoshoot

Explain What’s Happening: Depending on their age, explain to your kids what a photoshoot is and why it’s special. Let them know that it’s a fun experience where they’ll get to pose and play while someone takes their picture. Show them family photos,or images from a previous shoot or shots from my website. Maybe show them my picture so they know I am not some scary stranger ;) 

Make it Exciting: Turn the photoshoot into an adventure. Maybe it’s a special day out where they get to dress up and have fun. Building excitement will help them look forward to the day.

3. Plan for Some Playtime

Bring Favorite Toys: If your kids have favorite toys or comfort items, bring them along. They can act as props or help your children feel more at ease during the shoot.

Allow for Breaks: Kids have limited attention spans, so plan for short breaks if needed. This helps keep them happy and engaged throughout the session. We can stop for a snack during the shoot if you wish. 

Prepare for the Day of the Shoot

Stick to Routines: Try to keep your child’s routine as normal as possible on the day of the shoot. This includes nap times, meals, and any other regular activities to keep them in a good mood.

Arrive Early: Give yourself plenty of time to get to the location and get everyone ready. Rushing can create unnecessary stress, so aim to arrive a bit early to allow for any last-minute adjustments.

6. Trust the Process

Follow my lead: I have done this hundreds and hundreds of times. I will offer you some guidance but I love to capture the in between shots too. Please do not worry if your kids have a meltdown, tantrum or any of the above. I have 2 kids of my own. I have been there a million times. I will be oh so super patient. 

Enjoy the Moment: The primary goal of a family photoshoot is to have fun and create beautiful memories. Focus on enjoying the time together rather than stressing about the perfect shot.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the best photos often come from those spontaneous, genuine moments, so embrace the journey and enjoy every minute of it! Let loose, go wild, hug your kids, hold them, just embrace each other .

Why you, Mama- need to be in the shot!!

In the whirlwind of life, amidst the chaos of schedules and responsibilities, there's a simple yet profound aspect that often gets overlooked – the presence of us Mamas in photos with our babies. In an age where capturing moments is as easy as the click of a button, the significance of these snapshots goes beyond mere visual documentation; they encapsulate memories, emotions, and the timeless bond between a mother and her offspring. Our babies will not care in 20 years if our hair or makeup was done in the photo. They won’t care that there was fog on the day of the session. They won’t care that there were multiple meltdowns on the ride to the session. They will only care that you were in the image with them! They will not only have the tangible image itself (I will write more later on the importance of printing our images ) but will will cherish the memories of just close to you in the shot.

Mama and Me photo sessions have gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. These sessions offer a dedicated time for us Mamas to step into the frame and create visual memories with their children. We could even say that they are a validation of identity for our kids, reinforcing the bond, the love, the cherished integral part of being in the family unit. Can we call them visual anchors? Being the 7th of 8 kids- I understand that my Mama was a busy woman ALL.THE.TIME. All of the photos that I pour over from when I was little- she is in only a handful of - and of course, it is because she took them.

In a world that often values perfection, being in photographs with our kids allows us to embrace imperfection and celebrate authenticity. These images capture the raw, unfiltered moments of parenthood – the messy hair, the mismatched clothes, the spontaneous laughter – and in doing so, they encapsulate the beauty of real-life connections and genuine emotions. Our babies will CHERISH these in years to come.

Us Mamas will always have a reason not to be in the shot. We want to loose that baby weight, our hair is too gray, our clothes are up to par.. I say: screw all of that and focus on the love, the connection, the bond ! I want to tell a story, your story, a brief snapshot into the fleeting time we have while our babies are this small! My Frankie is already 2! Time is a thief I hear people say. Photos will preserve those memories. Get in the shot. Book the session. Put the timer on your phone and throw on that dress that is sitting in the back of your closet waiting for the ‘right’ occasion. Just get in the shot!! I PROMISE you- you won’t regret it.

How to prepare your home + What to wear for your family session!

Feb 8, 2024.    Planning (+booking) a family or newborn session is a fun and exciting endeavor. It can also feel a little overwhelming and stressful. The thoughts of having to organize your house as well as organize outfits for everyone can be a lot. I’m here to help!

1 ) Your home:

I don’t need a lot of space - I promise.  The majority of my family/newborn shots are on a bed or sofa next to a window or door. Natural light is my best friend! Open all the curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible.  Looking through my galleries,  it may seem as though the majority of these backdrops are super put together homes- I can promise you they are not. Most often,  we are piling amazon boxes behind us, we are shoving piles of laundry, breast pumps, extra blankets, coffee mugs - you name it-  into another room.  You don’t need to rearrange the whole house. I use maybe 2 or 3 spots in your home.  I will always try to use as much natural light as possible so someplace close to a window works wonderfully. 

• I love shots of your little one(s) on a carpet or blanket on the floor - a quick vacuum over a bright or light rug will do the trick! I can always take a big white blanket with me- just let me know. 

• Pull out any light/textured blankets you have before I get there. I love to use them to wrap your little one or to throw behind you guys for a makeshift photo studio look. 

• . A light or bright bedspread or bed sheet is awesome for a family shoot. I will take multiple combinations of you all on the bed or sofa so take a quick minute to declutter the side tables or coffee table. We can pull over your favorite cosy chair to a window and have you nestle there. 

  That's it. Keep it RAW, keep it natural, keep it simple. Let me do the rest ❤️
  

What to wear for your family session !

Start with Mom! Think light, bright, Earth tones. Think texture;  chunky sweaters, pleated skirts, linen shirts, cozy sweaters matched with Jeans. Textures can add all sorts of layers to an image. 

If we are shooting indoors - go lighter and brighter. For outdoor sessions ; try for more earth tones.

• Denim is always a winner for me. A denim shirt with a long bright skirt. Jeans and a white t-shirt or jumper. Denim on your little ones with a simple plain t-shirt. A denim dress with a colored scarf. 

• Steer clear of logos or text. Avoid too many lines or polka dots. A beautiful long dress with a flower or animal print is really pretty. 

• While I do love seeing similar color tones and palettes, it is really fun and interesting to mix patterns and designs.

• Coordinate but Don’t match!  Choose a palette of maybe 2 or 3 colors. 

• Clothes that move and flow will add an exciting element to our gallery; long maxi dresses, long skirts, a heavy overcoat.

• I Love getting to style sessions with you. We can go back and forth via text- just shoot me some photos of what you are working with and I am happy to help!

• Check out this website for all sorts of stunning inspiration! https://styleandselect.com/blog/

• I have started a pinterest board from my sessions - more inspo here : https://www.pinterest.com/katiehanrahanphotography/