Family Session Guide

A family of four, including two adults and two children, stands together in a lush, grassy field with tall trees during the golden hour of sunset.

Welcome!

In this guide you'll find examples for outfits, what to expect during our session, and tips on how to prepare. With these tips, I'm sure you'll get the best out of your photoshoot.

The goal of this session is to capture your family as it is, chaos and all. Whether you have one little baby or five teenagers, we want to make sure that everyone is represented in who they are.

Parents, please do not stress out if your baby, child, or teenager is not behaving how you had imagined for the shoot. I have two kids of my own and can handle the tantrums and running around like crazy. I work around the kids and their temperaments instead of trying to get them to work for me. For this shoot, the kids are in charge!

My family sessions are all about connection. The smile on your face while you look at your kids, daddy's hands holding your little ones, the smiles, the giggle and all the moments in between. I will guide your family every step of the way to achieve not only beautiful portraits but beautiful moments for you to cherish forever.

After your session I will cull and edit your photos. Your gallery is typical ready within 2-3 weeks of your session. You will receive a link to your private gallery, then it's time to enjoy them.

Prepare for your session

Be Excited

Forget all your worries and focus on the memorable moment you will have with your family. Talk to your kids about how much fun you all are going to have during your session. We will try to play some games and hopefully spend a lot of time laughing and smiling.

01

Plan Your Outfits

Plan your clothes in advance. Make sure that everyone is comfortable with what you will wear. If you have any questions about how to match the family, check out some tips below. Wear something that makes you confident and comfortable!

02

Feed & Sleep the Babies

I know this isn't easy because babies & kids never sleep when we want them to. Do your best to make sure they are well fed and watered and rested before the shoot! Bring non-mess snacks.

03

Avoid Big Changes

Try to avoid any big changes to routines or appearances right before your session. Keeping everyone comfortable is key to making the session the best possible.

04

Inspiration

Do you have a Pinterest board or other inspo you want to share? Don’t hesitate, send it my way! If there are a few special poses or ideas that you would really like us to try to to incorporate, do let me know and we’ll try to work it in. If you have no idea that is ok too! I plan ahead for all my sessions and have plenty of ideas and prompts.

05

Music

I find at most of my sessions it makes everyone a bit more comfortable if we have some music going. I bring a portable speaker and we can listen to anything you want. If you have a favorite Spotify playlist send it to me. If you don’t you can always tell me the artists/genres you like and I can play those. I try and download them ahead of the session as service can be spotty at some locations so send it a few days before your session if you can.

06

Styling Tips

When trying to coordinate outfits in a family I find it easy to do one outfit first. For my family, I usually plan the entire wardrobe around my outfit! Take that outfit and use it as inspirations for other outfits. Use the same base neutrals and find different ways to incorporate your pops of color in the other outfits. You want to make sure you coordinate rather than match perfectly. Most importantly make sure everyone is comfortable, especially the kids!

Check out the tips below!

For more inspo check out my Pinterest Board here

  • When choosing outfits for your family session, neutral colors, earth tones, rich colors, and pastels are great options. Rich colors such as burnt orange, mustard yellow, dark green, terracotta red. For earth tones, I love blush, ivory, sage green, khaki, ivory, dusty blue, terracotta and some warm greys. Mixing this color tones are totally fine. For example, mom wears a ivory colored dress, dad or kids wear mustard or orange. Color gives your photos a pop so do not be afraid to add color!

    Try to avoid overly bright colors (bright red, neons, etc.)

    Coordinating colors rather than matching outfits will make the images feel natural and cohesive.

    Need some color pallet inspo? I created a Pinterest Board full of great color pallets.

    Check it Out Here

  • Choose fabrics that are comfortable for everyone. from small children to elderly family members. Breathable materials like cotton, linen, or soft knits work well and allow for ease of movement. Avoid overly busy patterns or logos that could be distracting in the final images.

    Adding patterns and texture can add depth to your photos as well. It could be a lace dress, detailing on a shirt/pants, tweed, chambray, faux fur and wool.  Prints are okay as long as they are not fine stripes.

  • Layering adds depth and variety to your photos, making outfits more interesting and versatile. Consider light sweaters, jackets, scarves, or shawls that can be easily removed or added for different looks. This works especially well in outdoor sessions where temperatures can change.

    Simple accessories can add a personal touch without overpowering the image. For younger children, consider a cute hat or suspenders; for teens, subtle jewelry or a stylish jacket can work well. Older family members might want to bring a favorite watch or scarf. Avoid overly bright or flashy accessories that might take attention away from the faces in the photo.

  • Spring & Summer

    When planning a spring or summer family session, it’s always best to aim for lighter colors like neutrals, earthy pastels (light greens, light blues, blush) and subtle spring patterns. These colors just work well with blooming flowers and lush green landscapes. I also suggest reaching for lighter/flowy fabrics like linens that give off an effortless look. 

    Fall & Winter

    When planning a Fall or Winter session, It’s time to get cozy and pick out earthy tones, and deeper classic fall colors like maroon, burnt red, forest green, and dark denim items. Choose pieces that have heavier textures like knits, corduroy, and layers.

  • What you wear for a photoshoot on the beach might be very different than what you’d wear to a session in a downtown urban setting, for example. You want to be comfortable in whatever location you choose, especially if a lot of walking is involved. Keep in mind the colors of that location too.

A family of four enjoying a moment on the beach at sunset, with the parents holding their two young children, all smiling and looking at each other.
Family of four at the beach during sunset, with father and young son playing in the water, and mother and baby on the sandy shore.
Four children playing in shallow water on a beach, with one girl walking in the background, a bird flying overhead, and a hillside covered with trees in the distance.
A family of five, including three children, a man, a woman, and a dog, standing on the porch of a house during the daytime.
A woman with two young boys at a colorful carnival, with a Ferris wheel and amusement rides in the background.
A multigenerational family of ten people, including children and elderly, gathering outdoors in a grassy field with trees, enjoying a sunny day.

What to Pack

  • Extra clothes. When children are involved you never know what can happen. I highly recommend getting the littles dressed on location!

  • Favorite toy/stuffed animal. If extra comfort is needed. If possible, avoid anything with bright colors in case they will be shown in some photos.

  • Wet wipes. Because anything can happen...

  • A small snack or treat! Something not messy so if we need to snack during the session we can. Water bottles are also great to have.

A family of three, a man, woman, and young girl, sitting outdoors in a field with tall grass and autumn trees in the background, during sunset, sharing a tender moment.
Family of four, including two young children, standing outdoors among snow-covered pine trees, smiling and playing together.
A family of four is sitting on a beach, smiling and playing together, with the lake and trees in the background during sunset.
A family of three sitting on a sandy beach at sunset, smiling and playing with their young child.
A family of five outdoors in a grassy field with trees, smiling and posing for a photo. The mother and father are holding their young children, with one child hanging upside down and the other sitting on the father's shoulder.

Timeline

Book your Session

Once you've decided on the of session you'd like, we'll pick a date, time, and location that works best for your family. A retainer secures your spot, and I'll provide all the details to help you prepare.

Photo Day

The big day is here! We'll focus on creating a relaxed, fun atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Whether it's playful moments with the kids or cozy family cuddles. I'll gently guide you while capturing authentic connections.

Select Your Favorites

After the session, you'll receive a private online gallery with lightly edited proofing images. Take your time selecting your favorites for your final gallery. All chosen images will be fully edited and high quality. You are able to upgrade your gallery if you can’t narrow down your favorites.

If you booked The Keepsake Session you will skip this step.

Receive Your Photos

Once your selections are finalized, I'll take care of the finishing touches. You'll receive your digital images, ready to be cherished and display in your home for years to come. Print orders can be made right from your gallery through professional print labs and shipped directly to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This is probably the #1 worry parents have, and we totally get it.

    Here’s the truth: I don’t expect perfection. I expect real life. I come ready with patience, playfulness, and prompts that keep kids engaged and happy. Some of my favorite photos come from the in-between moment, tickles, hugs, even a pouty face or two.

    So take a deep breath. You don’t need perfect behavior. You just need to show up as a family.

  • I can! And guess what? You don’t have to look at the camera for the entire session if you don’t want to! That is one of the best things about lifestyle photography, you just forget I am there and focus on loving on your kiddos. This helps you to relax and I promise to make you look great.

  • If we haven’t had a chance to talk about location yet please check out my location guide HERE.

    We can discuss which types of locations fit your vision and work together to pick the perfect spot.

  • I keep my eye on the weather leading up to all session. If the weather looks iffy I will send you a text or email. Depending on the forecast, we may shift the time or location to work around the weather. If Mother Nature is against us, we will reschedule for a time and date that works for us both.

  • Pets of all kinds are welcome at our sessions. Dogs must be leashed if we are in a public space. Please let me know ahead of time if you plan to bring a pet to our session. Some locations I use are not pet friendly.