I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t believe that it is already fall. For me, who’s pretty sure it’s still April, this last quarter of the year came out of nowhere! Once pumpkin spice everything starts hitting the shelves it reminds everyone to go book their family photo sessions if they haven’t already - because Christmas cards. If you’re like me you like to wait until the last second and then fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to stuff like this. Ok maybe ‘like’ isn’t the right word, but you get my drift… So now you have the session booked and a location picked out, but then comes the panic of what to wear and all the things you have to do before said session. I don’t know about you guys, but for someone who is so NOT put together when it comes to booking a session in a timely manner, I definitely become obsessive about planning everything out for it. So today, I’m going to share with you my personal approach to prepping for a family session - and as a bonus I’m going to make a checklist available for download!
First things first, you will want to pick out your outfits. I’ll be writing more about exactly what to wear next week, but I always like to start planning outfits as soon as the session is booked (or maybe even before). You might need some time to find the perfect outfit for you and your family and, if you are doing an extended family session, you will want to make sure everyone has time to put together some outfits that coordinate. That could include multiple trips to the store or ordering some items online, so give yourself plenty of time for this step!
Next up - personal grooming. If you need or want your hair cut or colored, try to make an appointment to get in about a week before your session. This way you have time to adjust anything you aren’t happy with or practice styling your hair if you plan to do it yourself. If you plan to have hair and makeup done by a professional, be sure to book your appointment right away to guarantee you have a spot.
During the week leading up to your shoot be sure to do things like get your nails done, plan your jewelry and accessories, gather any props you will be incorporating into your session and clean your ring to maximize it’s sparkle!
The night before your shoot, lay out your outfits and make sure they are ironed, steamed, etc. Include all accessories, shoes and undergarments in this process. Also put together a small bag with a comb, makeup items for touchups, a mirror and comfy shoes if you will be walking from location to location. A lint roller and a blanket are also good ideas! Gather any props and put them in a tote bag that can easily be carried from place to place during the shoot. If you have small kids, be sure to include necessities like snacks, a rattle or toy, a book and a pacifier in their bag on top of the staples like an extra set of clothes, diapers, wipes, etc. By having all of these things prepped and ready to go the night before, you will not have to stress about them and be frazzled right before your session.
Lastly, on the day of the shoot, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get ready before your shoot so that you don’t feel rushed. If your session is later in the day, make sure the kiddos have a quick nap beforehand to eliminate the risk of meltdowns - but let’s be honest, it’ll probably happen anyway! Then, pat yourself on the back for being so prepared for your session and get out there and rock it! You got this!
TO DOWNLOAD A FREE PRINTABLE COPY OF MY FAMILY SESSION PREP LIST CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW
To read more about what to wear & download my free Style Guide, check out my blog post about What to Wear for Family Photos