Making Your Family Photo Session a Fun Experience

Gone are the days where family photos feel like a dreaded obligation; a once a year calendar event to appease mom and spend an hour staring into a stranger’s camera forced to stand perfectly and smile. I think family photos should feel FUN and like an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with your family making memories. The goal is for you to leave your family session with me feeling like every person in your family had fun and excited to receive your gallery. 

I know, I know, it’s easier said than done but I have a few tried & true ways you can turn your scheduled photos into something your family looks forward to! 

One – It starts before you even leave your house

Start talking with your kids about your upcoming family photos in the days before your session. Really hype up the experience. Let them know that you’ll be spending time at the beach as a family playing and making memories together and there will be a new friend there to take your pictures! You don’t need to overly emphasize their need to smile and behave, just let them know you’ll have fun as a family and will smile for some photos and also be able to have fun and play games for other photos. 

Two – Your kids won’t “behave” perfectly…and that’s fine!

I will give your family plenty of direction but it’s okay if your kids don’t do everything perfectly or would rather play than stand still. My sessions are child-led and I will follow their energy and interest. If they’d rather stay snuggled on mom for a bit, we’ll get some cozy photos. If they’re ready to run down the beach with you chasing after them, I’ll be running alongside you! It may feel a bit chaotic at times but I promise that’s how the best photos are created. 

Three – Be present in the moment with your family 

Think of this as your family date night: a chance to be unplugged from your phones and from your responsibilities and to spend an hour creating new memories with those you love. There are times I will ask everyone to look at me and smile, but for the most part I want you to be fully present with your family. There’s no need to perform, just spend the time how you normally would. Pick up your kids, tickle them, put them on your shoulders, hold their hands. The best photos come from connection. Do your best to stay in the moment and I will guide you through the rest! 

Four – Trust your photographer

Finding the right photographer to document your family is so important. My style leans heavily into the fun, joyful real life moments shared between families. I don’t strive for perfect photos, but to capture your family honestly. I want you to get your photos back and think “she really saw OUR family for who we are”. I do all that I can ahead of your session to get to know you and your family better so I’m prepared on the day of your session. We’ll chat through the inquiry process so you can see if it’s a good fit, and after you’ve booked I will send you a questionnaire to share all about your family, interests, and vision for the photos. Learning all of this ahead of time allows me to show up to your session with a plan and knowing what is most important to you in this season of life. 

Does this sound like the type of family photos you dream of? Whether you are vacationing in Port Aransas this summer or live in Corpus Christi, I’d love for you to reach out so we can start planning your dream session!

Inquire with Hannah