Photography

Well before I was a Virginia Beach family photographer, I invested in lots of family sessions with my own family of six. In between those experiences + now spending so much time on the other side of the camera, I have learned a thing or two about what works (and what doesn’t!) when it comes to photographing families with kids. Sharing some of my favorite tips below, I hope they will be useful when planning for your next family photo session!

Plan clothes in advance. My clients know how strongly I believe that the clothing choices in photos make a difference in the final outcome of those photos. I always send a Session Prep Guide as soon as a client books a session with me, which includes tips on styling, and I offer a Prep + Planning call to discuss clothing options so that you can plan it out ahead of time. Once you have the clothes you think you are going to go with, make sure your kids try them on (again, ahead of time!). If your kids are anything like mine, a shirt that doesn’t feel right or shoes that are too tight can immediately cause a meltdown and that’s not ever how you want to start out your photo session! ;). It’s always best to get those things figured out (and worked out!) the before the day of the session.

For a free guide on tips for dressing for family photos, click this link – outfits truly make such a difference and the earlier you can plan them, the less stressed you will be the day of the photos!

Make sure kids are well-rested + fed. I know it’s a given, but it really is so important! The ideal time for photos is during that golden hour (one hour before sunset), and especially during the summer months, that can be late and past bedtime for the younger babes. We can always make that work, I promise! – but I do suggest a later or longer nap if possible, and always to eat before the session. You can always bring a snack also, just make sure that it isn’t really messy!

Prepare the kids before the session – Tell them what’s going to happen! I always tell my kids when family photos are coming up. I explain to them how important they are to me and how much our extended family + friends love to see their smiling, happy faces in the final photos! For younger kids, you can tell them they are going to have fun and will get to play some fun games (which we will!). Always frame it as a fun experience, so that they will also see it way! I also am never above a lollipop or other sort of treat as a small reward for cooperating – it can make a difference!

Expect the unexpected + don’t stress. If you are a mom reading this, you probably don’t need me to inform you that things might not go as planned, but I really believe that this is the most important tip of all. It really is best to embrace whatever happens! Your two year old may not want to sit still, your five year old may think it’s funny to make silly faces rather than smiling, or your pre-teen may be in a sassy mood (been there for all of those!), but just trust me and go with it. Take a deep breath and keep smiling, and know that I am always shooting and will capture the beauty in your family.

When in doubt, grab a hand or snuggle someone. I always tell my parents to make sure you are always close to someone and snuggling – even in those moments that it feels like nothing is going right! The photos that don’t “feel” like the perfect posed shot are usually the favorites and the ones that stand out at the end of the session. Let your kids be kids, and you just get close to them and enjoy the moment with them.

If you are looking for a Virginia Beach family photographer, I would love to work with you + to make some magic with your family! You can fill out my inquiry page here, or email me at ashleybricknerphoto@gmail.com.

Lastly, if you are a expecting or just want to learn more about newborn sessions, I am excited to share this post about an in-home newborn session! Jasmyn goes behind the scenes with newborn sessions + it’s a great read!