Family Photography and Children Photography can be exciting and stressful. If you keep putting it off year after year, it’s time to get you out of the mindset that makes you keep delaying what you really want; a nice family portrait you can enjoy year after year. There are always a few reasons that keep your photo session out of the fun side and stuck on the stressful side. Time for a heart to heart.

It’s not going to go how you’ve planned, and that’s okay. Someone will get grumpy, spill something on their new shirt, or get disappointed they have to take some time out of their schedule for a family picture. When our family was getting ready for our first portrait session, right before we were about to leave, my three year old daughter took my lipstick and smeared it all over her face. Nothing like a red stained shimmer just in time for portraits! Little things like stains, pimples, and fly-aways can be edited during post processing, but getting out of a bad attitude will be a little more difficult. 

Not everyone will smile and look at the camera. Yes, sometimes it will happen, but don’t let that frustrate you. Don’t be stressed out if your children aren’t doing exactly what your photographer is directing. Some will take a little more time. It’s really the little smirks, hand gestures, and embraces that make your family images, well, your family. This is what I really want to get to. 

Living in a digital world where we are constantly being shown what things are ‘supposed’ to look like often leaves us with ideas that are unrealistic, or hard to live up to. We spend hours on Pinterest and browsing magazines, searching for cute poses to replicate, and wardrobe inspiration. We often try to lose weight, wait for the perfect season, or braces to be removed. We hold off family portraits all year just to make sure we have a fresh, relevant picture for our Christmas card. 

Think about your family now, not the “picture perfect” one. Celebrate this season of life, and all it’s perfect imperfections. Go into your next photo session knowing that the authentic you will be present, and you can truly free yourself from comparison and expectations. If your family loves to hike and be outside, who says you have to dress up? Take me to your favorite trail. Does Daddy play the Guitar? Bring it along! It’s capturing your authenticity as individuals, as a family, is what makes your images worth lasting a lifetime. 

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