How to Prepare your kids for a Family Photography Session: Waterdown Family Photography
As a parent, you see time so differently. Your children grow up and change in a way that feels so slow in those challenging toddler years, but then all at once they are teenagers and living their own independent lives. Capturing your family through the years is a precious gift and something you will cherish forever. With that said, I know that preparing for a family session with your children can feel overwhelming and daunting, allow me to help make the experience more enjoyable with these tips to help prepare your kids for a Waterdown family photography session.
Tip #1: Help your photographer get to know your children in the time leading up to your session. This could be through completing a client questionnaire, emailing or a phone call. Any information you can provide to your photographer ahead of time will help them better know how to connect with your children. The more your photographer can talk with your children and connect on their interests, the more comfortable your children will feel and the better your experience and images will be. Some helpful information to provide would include; names, ages, interests (e.g., sports, dance, art etc.), and entertainment they love (e.g., songs, shows, books etc.).
Tip #2: It is completely normal for kids to be uncomfortable or shy around a new person, which can result in your children being closed off or uncooperative during your session. Give your children the opportunity to get to know the photographer before the session. This could be done by showing them a picture/video of the photographer from their social media or website and/or taking the first few minutes of your session to let your photographer talk with your kids (this is where the information provided beforehand will help!) and get to know each other before shooting.
Tip #3: Get your kids excited for their Waterdown family photography session! As much as we as parents love to capture our kids in every season of life, our kids do not always love having their pictures taken. Before your family photography session take some time to get your kids exited! This could be by having them help pick the location, maybe a place they love and are excited to be at. Have them help select their outfit, maybe even go out on a shopping date. Offer a reward for good behaviour and cooperation during the session, this gives kids something exciting to look forward to after their pictures are done. There is nothing like an ice cream cone after family photos on a summer evening.
Tip #4: This tip is probably the hardest for most parents to do, but is by far the most helpful, stay relaxed and enjoy the experience. If you are relaxed and happy, your kids will likely be too. They feed off of your energy, so lead with excitement and joy. Don’t worry about your kids being silly, and making cheesy smiles, let go of the control. Your photographer wants to capture beautiful portraits for you, but they also want to capture your children as they are right now, sillies and all, as one day those will be the images you cherish the most.
