Be prepared for family photography!

Family Photography sessions are fun! In fact, you as a family would have quality time and I am there to capture it. When the family photography session is over, people tell me how much fun they had, and that makes me very happy as a storyteller photographer in Chicago.

I put together some notes for family Photography sessions. If you have booked a family session with me, please read beforehand so then we can get the best out of the time together.

For family photography, We will start on time!  

Being a lover of natural light, my timing for your session isn’t a coincidence, it is scheduled so that we have the best lighting for your photos. (Trust me: I’m the girl looking at the sunset schedule a year in advance!)

Please allow enough time when you find yourself planning and include time for travel or traffic. If we aim for the golden hour, we will shoot your family pictures until the sun sets, so if we begin a bit late, we won’t stay late! This just ensures that we are in the right place or the right light and will give you the best results!

Read more: LIGHT in photography!

Bring a backpack for me!

Because I don’t want to miss any in-between moments and transitions from one set of poses to another, I end up carrying my clients’ stuff:) Please bring a backpack for your belongings; cell phones, purse, extra layers of clothes, water bottle, snacks, and possibly props so then I can carry them on my back while shooting.

Therefore I can keep photographing and capturing all the memorable moments without being worried that something distracting is in our way of being flawless.

Definitely please bring a neutral color blanket or a sentimental quilt for the family to sit on for some poses.

Please don’t ask your kids to look into my camera!

It is my job to get your kids’ attention and trust me, I am really good at it! ​During the session, I will take two to three sets of images in which everyone is looking into my camera and smiling, and most of the time we end up having images that the kid is perfectly smiling and looking into my lens but the parents are having the funniest mouth shapes, talking, while they are pointing their fingers at my lens to ask their kids to look straight. LOL! Actually, it doesn’t help! 

During the session, “IF” I ask you to look into my camera, I want the adults to focus and look straight and let me grab the little one’s attention.

As a matter of fact, we all have experienced that the kids would listen better to anyone but their own parents!

I don’t force the kids to smile in family pictures!

Please note that I am a lifestyle, storyteller photographer which means that I don’t press my shutter if I feel there is not enough authenticity involved.

I understand! Smiley faces are cute but we all know that is not the reality of our lives. Kids do not smile all the time. Let them be themselves and I will capture the beauty of it.

If they are grumpy (which rarely happens in my sessions, for I have enough silliness to make them smile), it is the story of that day, and let it be that way.

I believe the family sessions are meant to be fun for everybody so then they would want to do it again at least once or twice a year. If I push and force them to do something that they are not in the mood to do, the family sessions are nothing but a boring obligation.

Read more: Family Lifestyle Photography

Location in family photography!

If you have another location that is near and dear to your story, please don’t hesitate to tell me about it. I am a true believer in telling your story in a way that is meaningful to you and your family but also remember that the session is about you as a family and not where you are.

There are beautiful places all around us, so if you’d rather me choose the location, I am happy to do so! I have shot in the Chicagoland area long enough to know beautiful spots to shoot family pictures.

Props & puppies in family photos!

If you’re wondering about how you can make your experience personal and memorable, feel free to bring along any props that are special to you.

I want your session to scream YOU, so if that means bringing your four-legged friends along or props that tell your story, please do!

We can incorporate them into your photos in a fun way! Maybe it’s something from your wedding or a hobby your family love and shares, maybe it’s a sweet treat you and your family love, or a musical instrument you play that is special to you.

Whatever you want in your photos, I’ll do my best to make it happen!

Read more: Why You Need a Mommy and Me Photo Session

It’s more than okay to feel nervous in family photography sessions

Please know that I do not expect you to be a model. My job is to direct you in a way that helps you relax, feel natural, and be your true comfortable selves in front of my lens.

You do not need to practice poses or study Pinterest. Don’t worry if you are feeling nervous, I’ll be sure the end result is something you will love! You are going to have some fun quality time together as a family and I will be there to capture it. 

That’s it for now but if you have any questions, please ask, and here is the contact form to book your family photography session!