Arrive prepared!

• Arrive 10–15 minutes before your first scheduled session.

• Check your camera battery and memory card.

• Confirm your camera settings before clients arrive.

• Take a few test shots to check lighting and exposure.

• Look around your location for good backgrounds.

• Review your session schedule and client names.

• Make sure your camera strap is secured.

Remember: Being prepared allows you to focus on your clients instead of troubleshooting equipment.

ALWAYS check your background!

Before taking a picture, look for:

• Trees or poles appearing to grow out of someone's head.

• Trash cans, vehicles, signs, or distracting objects.

• People walking in the background.

• Awkward shadows across faces.

• Clutter that takes attention away from your subjects.

A beautiful pose can be ruined by a distracting background!

When photographing families, make sure everyone is fully included unless you're intentionally taking a closer portrait.

Pay attention to lighting!

• Look for soft, flattering light. WHEN IN DOUBT STAND IN FRONT OF A TREE. NOT DIRECTLY UNDER IT, BUT IN FRONT OF IT….. TO WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE SUN SHINING THROUGH THE LEAVES.

• Avoid harsh shadows across faces.

• Check exposure throughout the session. I make this easy for you! Please see the exposure guide.

• The sun should be behind the clients, the clients should never be facing the sun.

Check your focus!

Always make sure faces and eyes are sharp.

Start with the traditional family photo.

This is usually the picture parents want most!

• Position everyone close together.

• Make sure faces are visible.

• Watch for awkward gaps between family members.

• Have everyone look toward the camera.

• Capture several images to avoid blinking.

Then add variety!

Try:

1. Everyone looking at the camera.

2. Say “ find someone to laugh at”

3. Everyone hugging.

4. Walking together towards you and away. When they are walking have them smile at you first, and then smile at each other.

5. Parents kissing their child's cheeks.

6. Children laughing with their parents.

7. Natural interactions.

8. I WILL HAVE A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FOR YOU OF BOTH A QUICK MINI SESSION SHOT LIST AND A FULL FAMILY SESSION GUIDE.

Important: Don't make clients figure out how to pose themselves. Give them directions! I will also give you a list of prompts that you can use to get genuine connection during the session.

Instead of saying, "Just act natural," tell them exactly what to do.

Children don't always cooperate, and that's okay!

DO:

• Stay patient.

• Be playful.

• Work quickly.

• Capture genuine expressions.

• Give simple directions.

• Allow movement.

• Encourage parents to interact with their children.

DON'T:

• Get frustrated.

• Raise your voice.

• Force smiles.

• Expect toddlers to sit perfectly still.

• Spend the entire session trying to get one specific pose.

A laughing toddler running toward Mom can make a better photograph than a forced smile!