How to Prepare for a Family Photoshoot

The moment you have been waiting for is finally approaching…

You have made the investment to capture your families love story so you have precious memories of how you and your children were at this time in your life, but without good preparation, the process leading up to and during the photoshoot can become overwhelming (which isn’t what we want).

I have already written a post about how to prepare your children for a photoshoot, but I thought it was time to talk about how you can prepare so you arrive at your photoshoot feeling your best self.

So, here is how to prepare for a family photoshoot. 

5 Ways to prepare for a family photoshoot

• Self Care

• Wardrobe 

• Hair and Make Up

• Communicate with your photographer

• Have all the details ready

Self Care

Being kind to yourself is key to cultivating a positive mindset. Taking care of your mental health often leads to better outcomes in other areas of your life. Your energy also influences your children, so it’s essential to show up as your best self for them. This will contribute to a calm and seamless family photoshoot; if they see you excited, happy, and relaxed, they are likely to reflect those same feelings.

In the lead-up to your session—and always—prioritise activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s taking 30 minutes for yourself to enjoy a good book or going for a walk, make time for whatever makes you feel good. Establish a habit of self-care, as it’s easy to neglect your needs when you have children!

Consider Wardrobe and Styling

One of the best ways to ensure everyone feels comfortable in front of the camera is to spend some time considering what you’ll all like to wear. This means curating your outfits, including the colours, styles and patterns, so you all complement each other.

You’ll also receive a welcome and style guide in the days leading up to your session. These guides are designed to help you prepare for the photoshoot by offering tips on what to expect and how to dress. The style guide will provide you with wardrobe suggestions for the whole family. You’ll also have access to my luxurious client wardrobe, which includes soft, timeless pieces that complement the natural tones I use in my family photography.

Hair and Make Up

How often do you get the chance to sit down and truly pamper yourself as a mum? Probably not too often! A family photoshoot is the perfect opportunity to carve out some time for yourself on the morning of your session and feel your best.

If you’d rather not do your own hair and makeup, it’s worth considering hiring a professional. The results will be well worth it when you see those magical images that you'll cherish and display for years to come. If you're looking for recommendations for makeup artists, nail technicians, or hair stylists in Oxfordshire, feel free to reach out for more information.

Communicate with your photographer

Communication is essential! Be sure to discuss what to expect from your family photoshoot and share any details you'd like your photographer to know. I take great care in getting to know my clients before our session, so we can both approach your photoshoot feeling comfortable and at ease.

Building a strong connection between photographer and client is key to creating a relaxed, meaningful experience, resulting in beautiful, natural images that artfully and authentically capture your family's story.

Have all the details ready

The best way to prepare for a family photoshoot is to have a checklist and a note of all the key details.

Tick off everything you want to get done before the session such as:

• Practice self care the night before

• Iron and lay out all the outfits

• Prepare snacks and drinks for the children

• Decide on the hair and makeup looks 

Then have a note of all the key details such as:

• The address of the location

• The time you’re meeting your photographer at the location

• Photographers contact details

• A list of any essentials you need to take

• Car parking address for an outdoor shoot

Are you ready for your family photoshoot?

Now you know how to prepare for a family photoshoot, you can turn up to the session feeling relaxed, confident and your best self.

Ready to enquire about booking your very own family photoshoot? You can get in touch here!