Its that time again ! Time to update your family portraits! This can be a fun adventure with a great outcome. or a dreaded event, that spoils the family portraits, now and forever! After being hired to shoot hundereds of family portraits, I feel I have almost "seen in all". I love my own family portraits and value them highly! So, I want others to value their own family portraits and look back on these sessions with pure delight. Here are a few suggestions, based on my years of experience.
1. If you have a husband or older sons, do not tell them about your exciting family shoot until right before you go to your session. If you can help it. Give them the heads up that your family is having a family time coming up and you want them to look nice. If you give men or boys too early they will dread it the entire time and find any and all ways possible to deter you, mostly they wont be motivated to give even the slightest smile or relaxed looks.
2 . DON'T STRESS... If you have hired a professional photographer and one with a great personality, they can give you great suggestions for clothes locations & poses etc. If you allow yourself to stress, you wont enjoy the session or the portraits.
3. Allow plenty of time to get ready and arrive at the location. Plan your clothing etc at least a day prior to the session.
4. Be positive and calm the entire time.
5. If you have on of those children who repeatedly cries all the way to the photographer, don't encourage him or her to act this way. Don't let the child hear you tell anyone even the photographer "Oh my son hates pictures, he never will" If you do so, it will most definately set this child and you up for another horrible experience. I promise, I have never had a child cry and refuse to take a picture with me ever again, A wonderful photographer, will allow time to sit with the family and get any child to relax and find out what makes them tick.
6. If money is the issue, then dont worry who you choose get the cheapest. However if money is part issue and wonderful portraits is what you want, research photographers, at least until you have found a professional who is fun and wont treat you and your family like a number and ruch you through.
7. HAVE FUN! BE HAPPY! You will own these fo year to come, hopefully, if the portrait is taken by a good storytelling photographer, your portraits will look candid and natural. Your family will look older, but the portrait is captured like ART!
At BELLAPICTORIA PHOTOGRAPHY...LIFE IS ART!
Colorado Springs Family Portrait photographer
