Got kids?

No matter their age, toddler to teen, there are things you can do ahead of time to  help me get great images of them.  In reality, the shoot starts long before I get my camera out.

From choosing your outfits to tidying up the house or driving to our meeting place, there are simple things you can do that will make my job easier and your photos better.  Let's walk through a few tips.

Pick the right time for our shoot.

Think about when your kids are at their best.  Are they up early full of energy?  Do they get cranky in the late afternoon?  Did your teens just push "send" on 15 college applications?  Is your infant getting immunizations the day before?  Are you just getting back from a camping trip?  Let's chat about making sure your family their best shot at being rested and ready.

Communicate with me about special needs.

I have a very special place in my heart for children with special needs.  If your child has any kind of challenge, PLEASE TELL ME.  I spend time preparing a game plan for every photo shoot.  Knowing that your kiddo is on the autism spectrum, or that your teen has auditory processing challenges will help me come to our time together with the proper approach.

Choose comfortable clothes and...

I'm sure we all had the experience of being dressed in something tight or itchy for photos as children.  Do you have good memories of that?  Exactly!  I want your kids focused on being themselves and having fun.  Not complaining about their shoes or their itchy dress.

...try them on. 

This will not be news to you, but kids grow fast.  Something that fit a month ago might not fit now.  In the days before our shoot, have them try everything on.  Having too-tight shoes or pants creates an uphill battle for our session.

No food = bad mood 

Ask my kids.  This has been my mantra for YEARS!  Many times we are shooting in the late afternoon or early evening - right before dinner.  Make sure everyone has had a snack before you head out (or before I'm on my way to your house).  And if your kids are under 6, please bring some water and neat snacks with you to our session. 

Talk about it

The day before, chat with your family about our session.  Expectation setting or "front loading" is so important.  Talk about the who, what, when, where, why.  Practice some silly family poses in the mirror.  Show everyone my website so they can see what we might be doing.  If you have young kids that I haven't met, show them my picture.  And be my hype man!  Tell everyone that we are going to have fun.

PLEASE don't bribe

I mean, you can always promise your spouse an adult beverage when it's over.  But please don't promise your kids a treat if they listen or a toy if they smile.  First, the bribe will be all we hear about from your child.  "when do I get my gummies?"  Second, you will be tempted to make threats "listen to Lisa or no ice cream."  Finally, their expressions will be forced and unnatural because they are performing for a reward.

Have fun in the car

If you are driving to our session, play their favorite music.  Have each child tell a joke and laugh like it's the funniest thing you've ever heard. Give each other compliments.

Catch them doing something good

This is a lesson I learned as a mom.  Praise them when they are doing a great job!  IGNORE bad behavior, complaining, excessive silliness, eye rolling, etc.  Kids of all ages like attention.  Give it out by the trunkful when they are doing well and withhold it when they are making thinks difficult.  Calling out bad behavior can cause shame.  And that is very difficult to bounce back from during a session.

AND FINALLY.... Let me do my job.  

I've raised three kids and worked at a summer camp with hundreds of kids and teens.  I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve.  If things are going south, I will change course.  If your 10-year-old runs off to pout, we will do individual shots and have so much fun that said 10-year-old will likely come back to participate on her own.  I've been known to sit on a bench and teach deep breathing to a child in the middle of a shoot.  I've got your back.

My brand is authentic photography.  I want to document your family as your are right now.  That might mean that your 5 year old won't stop their "fake smile" or your 8 year old will pull a face or your 12 year old will refuse buy in.  Trust me, you will miss those things some day.  Let me help you remember.

Warmest,

Lisa