Ironed clothes, brushed hair, matching shoes, and out the door on time. Does this scenario sound impossible? I promise, it’s not! I’ve coached lots of parents with tips to arriving to their family photo shoots cool, calm, and collected–even with toddlers!

So, what have these masterful parents done to prepare for their family session? The consensus seems to be this–spread out the work. In other words, thinking ahead saves a mountain of stress. With this in mind, below is a general timeline that you might follow to ensure your family session goes off without a hitch!

The weeks leading up to your family shoot:

1. Consider recruiting the help of a grandparent or sitter for the day of your shoot, and get the date on their calendar. Whether they entertain the kids with a craft and lunch while you’re blow drying your hair, or perhaps even accompany you to the shoot as an extra smiling face, booking a back-up set of hands is bound to alleviate some stress!
2. Shop in-store or online for outfits and accessories, leaving ample time for returns and exchanges. By methodically thinking through the coordinating colors and contrasting textures of the whole family’s wardrobe, you’ll end up with a more harmonious look. Too matchy can appear forced. Work in a variety of fabrics and soft patterns within a broad color scheme for the optimal balance. Breathable and flowy styles often translate to more dynamic photographs, so consider opting for a skirt over tight pants, for instance. A general rule of thumb? Comfortable clothes = more natural images. 
3. Have the whole family try on their clothes to avoid any meltdowns on the day of the shoot. A “trial run” in your outfits may help prepare even the most stubborn, fashion-conscious toddler! 
4. Schedule haircuts. Avoid appointments the day, or even two days, before the shoot so everyone looks fresh yet themselves.

The week before the shoot:

1. Brainstorm shots and peruse through some images on my website, other websites, or Pinterest. Are you drawn to classic facing-the-camera poses? Inspired by the spontaneity and casual movement of others? Often, it’s helpful to imagine where you would like to ultimately display the images once they’re printed. While I’ll always shoot a variety, knowing your must-haves will help ensure that I can guide you more effectively.
2. Consider what props or mementos you might want to incorporate. From a nostalgic family quilt to a jar of bubbles, props can add a playful and individualized element to your family photos. 
3. Talk to your kids about what to expect. Let them know that they get to be silly with Natalie at the park this weekend, and that her big camera is kind of like a phone taking pictures, but we just can’t see them yet! Hopefully, you’ll build some excitement and ease the uncertainty of going into a new situation. And if they’re a bit shy or still uncomfortable even after a talk? No worries! My years as an educator have prepared me in making kids feel safe and welcome. 

The day before the shoot:

1. Iron clothes–and hang out of the way of harm! You might consider hanging them in the car, dressing the kids in undershirts, and waiting until you’re on location for the final wardrobe change. 
2. Pack a snack and entertainment bag. Novelty may be the way to go here–a new type of fruit snack, the latest kids bestseller–anything to pique their curiosity and keep the crew content!
3. Get a good night’s sleep. A normal, routine dinner and bedtime will ensure everyone is well rested for the shoot, even if it’s a Friday night and you’re tempted to deviate. 

The day of the shoot:

1. While you’re likely to be selflessly concerned about the kids, remember to take time for yourself so you can feel confident and excited to be photographed. Take shifts with your spouse or lean on your sitter to give you an hour to beautify. 
2. Eat a balanced meal before the session. Don’t arrive hangry!
3. Play light and upbeat music on the drive to the shoot. Belt out the Disney tunes if you need to! Anything to elevate the mood and get the whole fam excited for the upcoming hour. If music works to bring out the best of your kids, feel free to pack a bluetooth speaker for some added ambiance or a silly atmosphere at the actual shoot location. 
4. Arrive early to allow your family to get used to the location, make any last minute changes to your outfits, fix your hair and wipe snacks off faces!

xo Natalie

Last year, a client of mine pleaded to me, “Natalie, can you get me one, just one, shot of both my kids looking at the camera smiling? I have 5,000 pictures on my phone and none to hang on the wall!”

I got you!! The spaghetti-smeared-face-high-chair shots don’t exactly fit the living room decor vibe! While we’re constantly snapping images of the hectic and silly moments, they don’t often translate to frame-worthy. As the saying goes, quantity does not equal quality. 

That’s where a mini session comes in!

The magic of the mini is in its low price, minimal time commitment, and truly low stress level involved in the process. Mini sessions are marathon style photoshoots where clients book sessions every 15 minutes at a pre-set location. All of my mini sessions are local to the Philadelphia/Philly area, both within the city limits and suburbs – with outdoor and natural light studio options all year long!

I always choose shoot locations saturated with gorgeous seasonal light and–I assure you!–ample space for families to spread out before and after their slots. Spring 2023 mini locations offer a blooming and breezy aesthetic, including Fairmount and FDR Park, Bartam’s Gardens, and Old City.  

Find the location and date that works with your crazy schedule? That’s half the battle! Once you get there, I will guide you through natural poses and suggestions to maximize your image options. Mini packages include 5 images of your choice with the ability to download more from your album. 

And remember what I said about low stress? That even includes mini sessions with toddlers. I’ve got plenty of tricks to get even the tantrum-prone to laugh their way through our session. A mere 15 minutes will get you the quality that you’ve been chasing around at home. You get the Christmas card shot, they get back home without a nap interruption–win-win! Plus, I always have an assistant with me to pull out all the behind the scenes tricks to get that perfect mid laugh smile!

Before the mini session:

1. Think through complimentary outfits for the fam. Soft and neutral with some varying textures typically works best with the outdoor setting. I love to dress up outfits using layering and accessories.
2. Decide if there are any “must-have” shots that you’d like to prioritize–a close-up of the whole family, a solo shot of the little one, or anything in between. Leave the rest up to me, I promise to get you a variety of images to choose from!
3. Plan to get there at least 10 minutes early so everyone can get a quick hair brush, reapplication of lip gloss, and some deep breaths to relax and get comfortable.

I’ve never had a client regret booking a mini session. You’re bound to find (at least!) one image from the shoot that demands to be framed. In the coming months, I can’t wait to capture families in spring’s regenerative essence, the city in full bloom. Hope you’ll join me!! xo

Sweetpea

Sweetpeashots Photography

We just had our FOURTH mini-session family shoot with Natalie. We’ve been trusting her with our family photographs since our little was a few months old, and we are thrilled each time with the quality and character of the photographs and moments that she captures every time. She has an excellent eye for the location and how to tailor her strategy for each family and situation. The pictures are always gorgeous, and the sessions are always super fun!

-Keri Ann, Philadelphia

Natalie has now done 3 different shoots for my daughter and me. First, we did a holiday mini session which was super affordable, pretty painless and quick, along with great pictures. She did my daughters 1 year photos which were also amazing. We did a fall photo session with my 18 month old and Natalie is just phenomenal and patient catching great moments with a toddler who is running at 100 mph in the opposite direction. I plan to use her forever.

-Dana, Philadelphia