Here it comes…..family photo season! Soon your social media feeds will be full of your friends’ beautiful spring and summer family photo sessions.

And maybe you’re wishing that you could book a family photo session too – but it seems like such a scary prospect when it comes to your kids and your spouse. You keep thinking, “There’s no WAY my kids (let alone my husband) would behave that well or for that long!”

I promise you – an amazing family photo session is within your grasp! Preparation is key, and this little guide I’ve put together should help you approach your next family photo session fearlessly and maybe even with a bit of excitement!

#1 – Eat! Make sure EVERYONE in your crew, from grandma to dad to the baby, is well-fed before your session. Hangry is not a pretty look in photos.

#2 – Sleep zzzzzz – do your best to be well-rested for your shoot. I know this isn’t always easy for families with young children, but try to plan your sessions around naptimes and aim to get a good night’s sleep the night before.

#3 – Leave LOTS of time to get to your session – especially if it’s somewhere you are not super familiar with. You never know if traffic or parking will be an issues, and it’s no fun to stress yourself out with a late arrival!

#4 – Choose your outfits EARLY. Don’t leave it to the night before to coordinate wardrobe for your family because it inevitably leads to late night shopping trips at Old Navy. Make sure you have all the outfit pieces you need in advance, and that everything is clean and ironed (if required) a few days ahead of time so you’re not stressing out the night before.

#5 – Comfort is KEY. Make sure the clothing that you and your family members are wearing is comfortable. For example, make sure the shoes fit and won’t cause blisters because they’ve never been worn before. Try on your outfits beforehand to make sure they fit properly and don’t have scratchy bits that will cause toddler tantrums.

#6 – Bring ALL THE BRIBES. And know that almost every single family I photograph brings bribes for their kids – you are not alone! It’s nothing to be embarrassed by or ashamed of. Bring the gummy bears or the Mum-Mums. Promise ice cream or slushies afterwards. Have the lovey or favourite toy tag along. A lot of the time, you won’t need them. But it’s a great back-up plan, if you do!

#7 – Let your kids be themselves. There is a time and place for the perfectly posed, “Say cheese!” photos – but some of the most precious photos come from the moments when your kids are just being themselves. I’ve worked with HUNDREDS of kids, I *adore* chatting them up and I have a zillion tricks and jokes up my sleeve to get natural and adorable smiles and poses. Let them lead the way in your session, and I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what we capture!

#8 – Last but not least – trust your photographer and relax into the moment. My job is to get beautiful and memorable images for you, and the more relaxed you are, the better the photos will be. Let me worry about getting your children to smile. Let me be a total goofball and tell terrible fart jokes that make even dad giggle. Just be present with your kids and spouse, relax into the love and snuggles and enjoy the family time together!

Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!