Tips for Family Pictures from a Mom and a Photographer

Is this how you feel as you are prepping for family pictures??

I actually DO love taking family pictures, every year if not twice a year, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get stressed, too!

Intro

Join the Facebook Photo Club!!

Facebook.com/CapturingJoyPhotoClub (Search CJPC on FB)

What is the biggest reason you don’t have family pictures taken every year?

• Price
• Cooperation (embrace their personalities) buffalo plaid
• Clothes hard to put together
• Mom wants to lose weight (don’t wait for that–take them and feel joy when you are smaller next time)

How to Choose a Photographer (or not)

• Follow their social media (My site all family)
• Offer a trade
• Ask a friend
• Tripod and do it yourself

How to Choose Location

• The Great Outdoors–most common
• Urban Buildings Austin
• At your Home (pajamas, family bed)
• Theme (paint fight, boat, London) 
• Studio Backdrop

The Great Outdoors

How to Decide What to Wear

• What to wear by color: Most traffic on site 13 different and London  Kaley’s  Law’s 1 Law’s 2  All Boys 1 All boys 2
• Pick 1 pattern to plan it all around
• Match the decor in your home
• variety from last time
• Moms, don’t take the leftovers
• Shoes matter (paint cheap)

How to prep your family and NOT get stressed out

• Have a heart to heart before–mother’s day or birthday gift–all you want!
• Let them know time frame to expect (20 min?)
• Lower your expectation of perfection
• Because I take them more often, I care less about perfection
• Plan for something they love after (ice cream, donuts)
• Heart to heart with spouse, too
• Pictures with just a few kids

How to Decorate with Pictures

• Gallery wall (Vintage Window, Painted Frames, DIY Canvas, Giant Frame)
• Up the stairs
• kids room/bathroom
• kitchen fun
• holiday decorations
• Different textures: metal, wood, canvas, glass

How to enjoy photos besides up on the walls

• Photo albums
• holiday ornaments
• Games (cards matching, Hill-zee)