Pictures aren’t just something you can hang on your wall. The perfect family photo can be a beautiful snapshot into the past. Photos can capture memories that you’ll be able to cherish for a lifetime. If you’re planning a family photo session, make sure you keep these tips in mind!
Schedule the Photo at the Right Time
When it comes to photos, timing is everything. It’s likely that you’ll be booking your photo session months or weeks in advance. Check in with the people posing for the photo and find a date that works for everyone involved.
If a family member has maxillofacial surgery scheduled, or if they’re planning on having orthodontics like braces removed, you may want to push the photo session back. You’ll get a better photo if everyone involved feels comfortable in front of the camera. Don’t schedule a session with a photographer until you find a date that everyone is satisfied with.
You’ll also want to make sure you schedule your session at the right time of day. If your young kids have to wake up earlier than usual for the photo session, they might be cranky and irritable. Make sure that everyone will be well-rested and fed when it’s time to smile for the camera.
It isn’t easy to take the perfect family photo, which is why it’s so important to plan ahead. Start talking to your family ahead of time and take people’s preferences on board. Once you find the right date for your photo session, you’ll be able to start preparing for the big day!
Pack Snacks
Some photo sessions are over quickly, but it’s not unusual for families to pose for pictures for an hour or more. That’s why it’s a good idea to travel with snacks. If anyone gets hungry or thirsty, you’ll be able to able to take care of it right away.
While packing snacks can help you keep your family happy, it’s important to bring the right kinds of snacks. It’s likely that you’ll have limited options for dental care while you’re with the photographer, which is why you should avoid foods that could make a mess or stain your teeth. Apples, carrots, and celery are all great options!
Another snack worth considering is strawberries. This sweet fruit contains something called malic acid, an enzyme that can actually make teeth look whiter! Just make sure that no one gets strawberry juice on their clothing.
It takes time to snap the perfect family photo, and it’s very likely that someone in your group will get hungry before everything is over. Instead of asking kids to fake a smile, pack treats that they can enjoy when you take a break. It’s an easy way to keep everyone happy and comfortable.
Bring an Activity
If you have a large family, there’s a good chance that everyone will spend some time sitting on the sidelines. It can be tough for kids to sit still for long stretches of time, which is why you should pack an activity or two. You can even make the activity a part of the photos!
Blowing bubbles can be a lot of fun for kids, and it can also make for fun and playful pictures. If your kids love reading, why not ask them to pose with their favorite books? Activities can help people to loosen up and be a little less stiff when they’re in front of the camera.
The perfect family photo should be a representation of your family. That’s why you shouldn’t be afraid to include activities you love in your pictures. Talk to the photographer ahead of time so that you can get a better idea of what you should and shouldn’t bring.
Make Sure Everyone Can Smile with Confidence!
No one in your picture should be afraid to smile. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule a checkup with a dentist before your photo. Everyone’s teeth look whiter and brighter after a cleaning!
If someone has more serious dental concerns, they may want to visit a cosmetic dentist. Simple treatments, like teeth whitening, can dramatically improve the appearance of teeth. Other procedures, like dental implants, can also transform someone’s smile.
Confidence plays a key role in the perfect family photo, and people tend to feel better about themselves when they have great-looking teeth. From dental cleanings to cosmetic treatments, there are lots of ways for people to refresh their smiles before a photo session. Whitening strips and pens can be used to brighten teeth at the last minute.
Pick the Right Outfits
It can be tough to figure out what to wear in a family photo, especially if you need to find outfits for a large group of people. Your family doesn’t need to wear outfits that match perfectly, but it’s a good idea to pick two or three colors for everyone to wear. For example, you could ask your family to wear navy blue or hunter green in the pictures.
Since patterns can clash with each other, it’s best to stick with solid clothing when possible. The clothing should be weather-appropriate and comfortable to move around in. Fitted pants, long-sleeved tops, and dresses with a defined waist are pieces that tend to photograph very well.
It’s also a good idea to set a general dress code for the occasion. If most of your family wears casual clothes on photo day, but another person puts on formal wear, that person will look like the odd man out. Look for pictures you can use as inspiration and make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to clothing.
Make sure that everyone tries on their outfits ahead of time so that you’ll have the chance to adjust any fit issues before your photo session. It’s also a good idea to pack backup clothing for every member of your family. That way, a wardrobe mishap won’t prevent you from taking the perfect family photo!
Find the Perfect Backdrop
While some photographers will have your family pose for pictures in a studio, it’s becoming more common to take family photos outdoors. Natural lighting tends to be very flattering, and pictures taken in natural light tend to have a real sense of warmth. Pictures taken during golden hour, the time right before sunset, are especially beautiful.
There are all kinds of backdrops that can work well for photos. Wooded backgrounds tend to be popular for family photos taken in the fall, and beach pictures are perfect for summer. You can also pick a backdrop that’s significant to your family in some way. For example, you could pose in front of your church.
Since you can’t control the weather, you may prefer to find an indoor location for your photo session. Museums can be an amazing location for photo sessions. Just make sure you contact the museum ahead of time and confirm that they allow photo sessions. You may even be able to schedule a session while the museum is closed!
Your family will be the main focus in a perfect family photo. With that said, the right backdrop can really make a picture come together. Visit a few locations in person so that you can find an ideal location for your photo session.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pamper Yourself
When you’re getting ready for a big photo session, it’s easy to focus your attention on all the other members of your family. However, it’s also important to take care of yourself. A little pampering can help you feel comfortable and relaxed when it’s time to pose.
You may want to schedule a facial before the day of your photo session so that your skin will glow. If your hair’s looking a little unruly, you may also want to book a haircut. Alternatively, you can use sheet masks and teeth whiteners to pamper yourself at home.
It’s common for people to look washed out in front of the camera, which is why most people wear makeup in photos. If you’re not comfortable doing your own makeup, you might want to work with an experienced makeup artist. They can apply natural-looking makeup that will photograph beautifully.
Remember that you’re an important part of a perfect family photo! Now is the perfect time to give yourself some extra attention. Haircuts, facials, and other treatments can also help you feel more excited about your pictures.
Pose Naturally
The best pictures should be a reflection of your family. When you’re posing for pictures, you don’t have to stand up straight and keep a perfect smile. Natural poses usually make for better pictures.
Encourage your family members to have fun with each other while they pose for pictures. As an example, you could ask your children to hug each other or whisper a secret into someone’s ear. You may even want to tell a joke so that the photographer can capture authentic smiles in their pictures.
If possible, you should try to pose in a variety of ways during your photo session. After all, you don’t want all of the pictures you take to look the same. If the photographer is able to capture your family in many different poses, it will be easier for you to find photos that you love!
Help Your Pets Look Their Best
In many households, pets are a part of the family! If that’s how you feel about your pets, you shouldn’t hesitate to include them in the photos. While you don’t necessarily have to pick out the right outfit for your pet, you should make sure your furry friend looks great in the photo.
Schedule a trip to see a groomer before you pose for a photo with your dog. Even if you normally bathe your dog at home, dog grooming services can help your dog look picture-ready! In addition to washing and combing your dog’s fur, a groomer can give them a haircut.
Cats typically groom themselves, but cat grooming services can also be a worthwhile investment. Grooming can be especially beneficial for long-haired cats. The groomer can ensure that they have shiny, fluffy fur in their pictures.
The perfect family photo shouldn’t leave out important members of the family. If you see your pets as family members, let your photographer know that you’d like them to be a part of your pictures. Most photographers are comfortable working with pets, and they should even be able to give you some pointers that will help you and your pets prepare.
Relax and Have Fun
You might start to feel stressed or overwhelmed as you’re getting ready for your photo session. If this happens to you, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s just a picture. While you may want to capture the perfect family photo, imperfections are part of what makes your family special.
Sit down and talk with your kids about the photo ahead of time so that they know what to expect. If you’re feeling nervous, you may want to have your family pose for a few pictures in your own backyard. These candid pictures can also be beautiful memories.
If something does go wrong on the day of your photo session, try to find the humor in the situation. Even if you’re feeling tense or upset right now, remind yourself that you’ll probably look back on this and laugh in the future. Your photographer may even be able to include the moment in your photos.
Breathing exercises are a quick way to calm yourself down before you pose for a photo. Meditation apps can also be very effective. If all else fails, take some time to chat with your family and remind yourself of why you wanted these photos in the first place.
Every family changes with time. Your children will grow older, and you may eventually start to welcome new people into your family. There’s no way to keep time from rolling forward, but there are plenty of ways to memorialize your family as they are right now. The perfect family photo will help you keep these memories alive.
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