Get Ready to Capture Unforgettable Moments: My Top Tips for Your Family Photography Session

Many families don't even realise the importance of capturing these moments or the significance of the moments captured until years later, when they have the photos to look back on. For me photography has always been a form of art and expression, but as a family photographer - it's so much more than that. It's about preserving memories. Happy memories of your family life, however chaotic and crazy it feels are forever. I know I don't want to forget my daughter at any age or stage, and having good quality photographs that will last is so important for me. Below are some of my top tips and tricks to consider when booking your family session;

Choose the right setting for your session

Location can have a really big impact on the outcome of your session and is well worth considering. I have a home studio space in Kent, but I also work on location throughout London and the South-east. A studio session may be ideal if you're just wanting something easy, simple and parred back. But I actually find for a family session getting outdoors is the best bet.

We all know children don't love being cooped up in a small space and told what to do. Getting outside can really solve this. In an outdoor session, I encourage children to just be themselves. Play, run, have fun and just be together. I'm aiming to catch connection and authenticity and there's no better way to do this than by following you guys about as you play, walk, run and spend time together. Happy, playing children trumps a forced smile and a stiff backdrop any day for me.

With this in mind, something else to think about is choosing a location with significance to your family. The local park that you frequent, the beach you go to every summer without fail, the woods where you walk your dog at the weekend, even your own home and garden. Imagine looking back on your photos with your now older children and saying, "This is the park you used to play in after school every day" or "this is the home we bought you home to". The connection to the location is going to draw up even more memory and emotion, which is the goal - pretty photographs that make us feel.

What to wear

I do offer a client wardrobe for mums, children and babies. It's not compulsory but there if you need it. I can however offer a lot of advice on what to wear if you'd like to style your own family.

Rule number one is to think about cohesion. I always suggest picking a colour scheme/pallete and everybody wears something from that. You want to avoid being too matchy - this can get busy and distracting. An example could be that you've chosen earthy tones - so maybe browns, greens and rust colours. They all work well together without looking 'too much'.

Rule number two is to avoid any big, bold logos. These can really pull the eye from your family and onto the logos. We want you guys to be the main focus. Pattern is okay, but again just consider the pattern and if it's going to clash not only with everyone else but with the environment.

Think a woodland can be quite a busy environment, lots of trees and things to look at. Keeping outfits more parred back can stop a photograph looking overly busy.

I do however think adding some layers and textures can add interest, especially if they fit with your own style and personality.

Keeping the kids happy

It's not uncommon to be hesitatant about booking a session because you're worried about how the kids will be. Will they play ball? Will we even get any shots?

My answer to this is simply not to worry. Kids will be kids, I have my own and I fully understand how they operate. Much like us adults, there's no way to predict how they'll be feeling on the day and that's honestly okay. My sessions are completely child - led and I have lots of tips to help things go smoothly.

Firstly, I already mentioned location. I would say a big thing to consider here is where is your child going to be happy and comfortable; would they love a day out running around the beach, would they be happiest in the comfort of their own home. Getting this right can really help. If you did want to come the studio, it's within my own home and very relaxed. I have lots of toys and always give them time to settle in before we begin.

Second, snacks. That's it - just bring snacks. A hungry child is a grumpy child and snacks make excellent bribes.

Thirdly, I encourage families to play games and just have fun together. Whilst I always try my best to get atleast one "everybody look at me and smile shot", for the most part, I just want to capture you how you are. So there's no pressure on your children to conform to any solid expectations.

Lastly, if they need a break - we give them one. If they need a bit of extra time to warm up to me and what we're doing, we'll give them that. Slowly we'll get there, we always do.

We're camera shy!

I feel this. I love to take photographs, don't love being in them though. I do genuinely find family sessions to be one of the easiest sessions to let go of those feelings. I want to see you connecting with your family. I'll offer some prompts and ideas and then I'll step back whilst you just focus on your family. Play, chat, hold hands, pretend I'm not even there. No doubt you'll be so focused on your little ones that you'll forget to be worried about the camera.

Time of year can make a difference

It goes without saying that the time of year will make a difference to your outdoor photos. But there's more to it than the obvious. An autumn session with all the orange colours is beautiful but there are lots of things to consider when picking a season.

Day light hours is a big one. Say you really want to aim for that golden hour but you just can't keep the kids out that late at night. Maybe an autumn session would be better for you than a summer one. In the summer, golden hour doesn't tend to happen until about 8pm - wait for the autumn and you could get the same lovely light at 5pm instead. With that in mind, you'll have to wrap up warmer but the photographs will be just as beautiful.

Maybe you really want a wintery session outdoors. Beautiful but light is a privilege at this time of year so I like to plan my sessions in the morning, avoiding the 3pm darkness.

A spring session can be beautiful, it's starting to get warmer and brighter and there's all that beautiful foliage and flowers coming through. And summer is always a winner, long days and warmer weather can make it easier to get the kids out in.

Don't wait for that perfect moment

It can be tempting to think "we're not quite ready" or "when so and so happens, that's the perfect time". There is no perfect time to have your memories captured. This is real life, right now, as you are. Messy, busy and probably highly over stimulated and one day you'll look back and think "those were the best times of my life". So lets document that, lets capture the real and the raw. Family life is never perfect but it's yours and you deserve these memories!