How to Prepare for Amazing Family Pictures

I’ve been wanting to show you our latest family pictures and I feel like the months since we had them taken have flown by. I didn’t think about it until last night when I was emailing our family photographer to schedule Mary’s 1st Birthday photo shoot! More on that to come, but first I want to share with you a few things to keep in mind to prepare for amazing family pictures. 

Choose Your Photographer

This will be the biggest decision you make regarding pictures. There are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for a photographer. You want to make she that their style is your style. After many professional photos, all of which are beautiful and I treasure, I’ve decided that I love bright colorful photos. I found the amazing Melanie Applegate, an Austin Texas Photographer through my mom’s group! She is fun, cheerful and our styles mesh! I love to discuss a session with her and listen as the ideas roll out of her mind. She scored some major bonus points with John when she brought him a race car to our family shoot. 

Choose Your Location

Are you dreaming of a beautiful field of flowers at sunset, the beach with the waves crashing around you and sand on your bare feet? What is your vision for the photo shoot, your photographer can help guide you if you have an idea but don’t know of the perfect spot. For our family pictures I chose a beautiful local church that has a courtyard that I love. The center has a giant tree that branches out over the entire area and reminds me of the beautiful Banyan tree in Maui that we saw on vacation a few years ago. Melanie is a natural light photographer and she recommended an early sunset time for our shoot, which was perfect. 

Choose Your Colors

This is one of the biggest struggles with getting multiple people photographed together. You want to make sure that you chose colors that are coordinating rather than everyone matching. I struggle with this EVERY TIME! Check with your photographer, many will have blog posts or guides to help you. You can always search Pinterest too. A little tip, try and avoid shirts with graphiics on them.

Choose Your Poses

While you are on Pinterest, search for poses and see if there is something that you are wanting to replicate. Your photographer will be able to make the most of your session if you know what you want when you get there. OR you are always good to let your photographer do their thing! I had one area of the courtyard that I specificly loved and she made sure that she captured some pictures there. Funny thing is, one of my favorite pictures from the entire shoot was one she caught candidly. 

Have Fun!

Have fun with your family. Enjoy the time together, be silly, jump around, do a favorite yoga pose. These are the moments that you are going to treasure when you look back on these amazing family pictures.