Here, you’ll find out when the best time is to schedule your appointment, what to wear, how to prepare your children, and what to pack. Plus, a packing list, styling tips, and advice on how to approach the photo shoot with a relaxed mindset.
Most families ask themselves similar questions before the photo shoot: What should we wear, will the kids cooperate, and what do we need to bring?
To ensure your family photo shoot goes smoothly and you get authentic photos, here are some tips to help you prepare. With the right preparation, your photo shoot will be an experience the whole family will enjoy.
Here you will find a brief summary of the main content of the article:
- The best time for your photo shoot is when the children are well-rested and have eaten—usually in the morning or right after their nap. Be sure to allow extra time for the trip there.
- Coordinate your outfits color-wise without everyone wearing exactly the same thing. Muted colors, earth tones, and soft pastels have a timeless look, while large logos and garish patterns distract from what’s important.
- When styling, make sure your hair is freshly washed, your hands are well-groomed, and your fingernails are clean. You should wash off any temporary tattoos and crayon marks on your children’s arms the day before.
- A few days before the photo shoot, get your children ready for it in a playful way and let them help choose their outfits. Avoid giving instructions like “smile nicely,” because that leads to forced expressions.
- Pack some snacks, water, and a change of clothes, along with their favorite stuffed animal or toy. It’s best to leave cell phones and tablets in your bag.
- The most important part of preparing is your attitude: There’s no such thing as a perfect family photo, and relaxed parents lead to relaxed children.
- In a nutshell: Pictures of playing, cuddling, and laughing
- When should you schedule your family photo shoot?
- What do you wear to a family photo shoot?
- What should you keep in mind when styling your hair?
- How do you prepare your children for the shoot?
- What should you bring to a family photo shoot?
- Who wants to be in the family photo?
- On the day of the family photo shoot
- Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for the Photo Shoot
- Check out my offer for family photo shoots
- Take a look at other articles on family photography
Schedule your family photo shoot for a time of day when your children are usually well-rested and in a good mood. For young children, this is usually in the morning or right after their nap. Avoid the hour right before a meal and the time right before bedtime.
For babies and toddlers, it’s their rhythm that matters, not the lighting. A tired or hungry child won’t result in a photo shoot you’ll be happy with later. The same goes for school-age children and teens: right after a long school day, they’re worn out. A relaxed afternoon or the weekend works better.
Talk to your children about the plans and involve them. If they know what to expect, they’ll be more relaxed when the time comes.
Also, make sure to allow some extra time for the trip there. It’s better to arrive a quarter of an hour early than to be stressed out. If you put yourself under pressure, it immediately rubs off on the kids, and you can tell from the photos.
Coordinate your outfits in terms of color without everyone wearing exactly the same thing. Muted colors, earth tones, and soft pastels have a timeless look and don’t distract from your faces. Avoid large logos, bright colors, and eye-catching patterns. Most importantly, everyone should feel comfortable in their clothes.
These five rules cover most of it:
- Two to three shades for the whole family, plus one accent color at most. That’s all it takes to create a harmonious look.
- No large prints or logos. They divert attention away from you.
- Comfort comes before style, especially for children. You can tell by their posture if something is scratching them or restricting their movement.
- Think about your shoes. They’re often in the picture, yet they’re regularly forgotten.
- Pick them out early so you’ll have time if something doesn’t fit.
Choosing what to wear shouldn’t be a source of stress. If you’re unsure, feel free to send me photos of your outfits beforehand, and we’ll take a look at them together.
You can find detailed color combinations, examples for each season, and common mistakes in the post ” Outfits for Your Family Photo Shoot.”
Make sure your hair is freshly washed, your hands are well-groomed, and your fingernails are clean. Hands are always in the frame in family photos —whether you’re holding, hugging, or carrying someone. Wash any tattoos or crayon marks off your children’s arms. Large, shiny watches and flashy jewelry are distracting; subtle jewelry adds a stylish touch.
On the day of the shoot, take some time for yourself. Whether it’s loose, braided, or pulled back: choose a hairstyle that makes you feel comfortable. Your makeup can be a little bolder than usual, since photo editing tends to wash out colors. If you’d like to treat yourself, I’d be happy to recommend a makeup artist.
For the dads: freshly shaved or with a well-groomed beard, clean nails, and a neat hairstyle. That’s all it takes.
With kids, it’s the little things:
- Remove temporary tattoos and felt-tip pen drawings from your hands, arms, and legs the day before.
- A hairband, a hat, or a scarf can be a nice touch.
- Your favorite stuffed animal can be in the picture if it’s part of your daily life.
- Going barefoot is a good alternative to wearing shoes, especially outdoors.
A few days beforehand, talk to your kids in a playful way about the family photo shoot and explain where you’re going. Make it a fun experience, but don’t give them instructions. Phrases like “You have to be really good and smile nicely” put pressure on children and result in exactly the kind of forced smile you don’t want in the photos. Let your children help choose their outfits. Here’s what often works well:
- Announce instead of surprising. Two to three days in advance is enough; mention it more often rather than explaining it in detail.
- Let your favorite outfit win. On the day of the shoot, there’s no arguing about who gets to wear their favorite piece.
- Don’t practice smiling. You can tell right away when a smile is forced. Children don’t have to smile at the camera in any photo.
- Take concerns seriously. Older children and teenagers are often skeptical. Explain to them that these are candid moments and no one has to pose.
And if things do get a little out of hand during the day: That’s just part of it. We take a break and find a distraction. Usually, the situation calms down on its own as soon as the camera is no longer the center of attention.
Pack snacks and water for everyone, along with a change of clothes for small children. Bring along whatever makes your child feel secure: a pacifier, a stuffed animal, or a favorite toy.
For the children
- A change of clothes, especially for an outdoor photo shoot
- Diapers and wet wipes
- Pacifier, stuffed animal, or favorite toy
- A hairband, a brush, a small comb
Meals
- Water for Everyone
- Snacks that don’t crumble, spill, or stain. Light-colored cookies and fruit work well, but chocolate and berries don’t.
- A snack for after the shoot, to wrap things up
Optional, but effective
- Soap bubbles. They’re sure to get kids playing.
- A blanket for breaks and for taking photos on the floor
- Your pet, if it’s used to people. Let me know in advance, and I’ll be prepared.
You should put away cell phones and tablets if you’re using them to keep the kids quiet. They distract children greatly, pull them out of the moment, and leave them staring blankly.
Everyone who is part of your family. Grandparents are more than welcome—photos spanning multiple generations are especially precious later on. Pets are welcome, as long as they’re used to being around people. Please let me know in advance who will be there so I can adjust the schedule and plan accordingly.
For a multi-generational photo shoot, we take photos in different groupings: the whole family, grandparents with their grandchildren, siblings, and each person individually. This takes time. Plan on about two hours so we can capture everything at a leisurely pace and no one has to rush.
For pets: Pack some treats and their favorite toys so we can distract them. This usually works better outside than inside.
Lay out all your outfits the day before, including shoes, socks, and accessories. Make sure everyone is well-fed and well-rested before we meet. Allow plenty of time for the trip, and it’s better to arrive a little early. I’ll take care of everything else.
The final preparation is the most important one, and it’s not on any packing list: your attitude. Children can tell right away whether you’re relaxed or stressed. If you arrive feeling relaxed, the whole family will arrive feeling relaxed.
Don’t put pressure on yourselves or your children. There’s no such thing as a perfect family portrait. The most beautiful photos happen when you’re just being yourselves: playing, cuddling, laughing at each other. A tousled fringe, a child running off, a glance between the two of you. That’s exactly what will become a memory later on.
For details on how the day actually unfolds—from arrival to photo selection—see the post “How a Family Photo Shoot Works.”
