HOW TO CONVINCE YOUR PARTNER TO HAVE FAMILY PHOTOS - SYDNEY

1. How to convince your partner

Now I know lots of dads who happily attended family photography sessions. I’ve seen dads who brighten faces, prepare snacks, throw their children high into the air and chase after them and many who know how important the photos are for their family. I am often booked by dads. That said, I know a lot of mums who would love family photos but can’t convince their partners. One of the biggest objections is often they don’t want to pose or be staged and let’s face it - be told what to do! My sessions are perfect for camera shy and relaxed people who just want to hang out and connect rather than do lots of posing. I also really recommend letting your partner know how important it is to you to have these photos. That you want to exist in photographs together for your children to look back on in the future. The number one thing I hear from dads after a session is - oh that was easier than I thought. Another objection is money and I get that. These are precious memories of never to be repeated days and really are an investment worth making. A few of my clients do family photographs as their birthday gift each year. I love this idea and it becomes a regular event that everyone looks forward to. Research shows that family photographs can lift self esteem in children, but I think it’s also a lovely experience to do as a family. Just simply being together in the moment and having a keepsake of that is precious. I often get asked but will we still do portraits? Yes, absolutely. I love portraits too, I like them as relaxed as possible and reflecting your individual qualities.

2. Choosing a location

It’s no secret that in-home family photography sessions have my heart. They are simple because no one needs to leave the house, children are relaxed and best of all they include details that tell your story. Your furniture, the books, the paintings, the colours, the blankets - these are all individually you. There can be no greater way to create a keepsake of your family than in your home. If you move home you’ll always have a memory of not only what you all looked like then but what your home was like and in future generations these will be powerful and important parts of your family story. You don’t need an amazing home. Just a window or a couch or bed. If in-home isn’t right then there is no shortage of parks and green spaces available. A place of meaning is always great - maybe a favourite park, where you met or like to walk as a family. I always love when there is an activity, so at home that can be baking, playing or reading and out and about that can be running, hide and seek or kicking a ball. Having an activity lifts the pressure and gets everyone to relax and we get a little documentary style to our lifestyle sessions which is my favourite combination.

3. What to wear

The best advice is to keep it simple and be yourselves. A simple t shirt or jumper and try and compliment each other as opposed to matching. Don’t be shy of colour, prints, texture or movement - skirts and dresses are perfect because they move and flow. Newborns are best in simple white onsie or solid colour. We can use wraps and blankets to add as we go. Husbands look great in simple tees - you can spot a man who has been told what to wear a mile off and it shows in their posture and face. Be yourselves. Happy faces win every time. Do try and avoid brand names or slogans, they can be distracting. When picking your outfits consider the location - if it’s home keep it more casual, if it’s in a park think about footwear that is easy to walk in. You can see my inspiration boards for what to wear to your family photography on my Pinterest boards here.

4. How to prepare your children and your home

There is no need to arrange a cleaner in advance or go on a huge spring clean! We will choose 2 - 3 locations in the home with the best light. Some nice linen on the bed, it doesn’t need to be fancy just basic or with a beautiful rug or coloured cushions. A special blanket passed down or items of meaning, people have used scarves that belong to loved ones passed, others include an outfit all their children have worn. If you have a newborn session planned than warming up the home is a good idea. We want a sleepy contented baby so warm and well fed and relaxed will help. Now I know you want beautiful photographs but I can assure you the fastest way to get young children to misbehave is asking them to sit still! I love to do a very low pressure hands off approach. Please don’t ask children to smile. Trust me I won’t be judging tantrums or over excited behaviour. I have 2 children myself and I know it can be unpredictable and not always happy. We don’t need to be all singing and dancing, we just need to hang out. We want natural and relaxed and the way we do that is by chatting and giving children a chance to open up. My sessions can be up to 2 hours and the reason for this is so children can warm up. Similarly, if your child is shy or wary of strangers I will let them find their comfort zone and that’s where we’ll stay. We get the best results when we follow their lead. Relax and enjoy it, it’s all part of the experience of being together and capturing true reflections of who you are.

5. When should I have my session?

The best answer is a time that suits your family routine. Newborns don’t have a schedule so pick a time that allows you to be ready, maybe have had a chance to brush your hair and a cup of tea! Newborns are super sleepy in the first few weeks, around 6 weeks can be a really unsettled time, and at 9 - 12 weeks you start to see their personality really coming through. There are benefits to every age though so it really comes down to when you feel ready. I can help you with this when you book. If this is a family shoot without a newborn then pick the time your children are at their happiest. If it’s outdoors I’ll be looking for an early morning or later afternoon time slot to get the best and softest light.

I hope that’s given you some insight in how to prepare and plan for your family photography. It’s really very easy and actually lots of fun. I guide you every step of the way and am always on hand for questions. When you book your session we will chat about your thoughts and make a plan that suits your family. I’d love to hear from you.

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WHY IN-HOME FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IS SPECIAL - PORTRAITS OF HOME

I love portraits of home. When I am contacted for a family photography session I often recommend home as the location, especially for families with young children. There are 2 reasons why I recommend in-home family photography.

Firstly, in-home family photography is convenient for families with very young children. There is no getting dressed and out the door on time bringing snacks and jackets. No traffic, parking or dealing with weather. There is just me popping by at a time that suits your routine. For very young families this is mostly 8am, sometimes 7am, and other times a more modest 10 or 11am. I recommend that families leave some of the getting ready for when I am there. It takes the pressure off and also helps if you’re feeling nervous to have something to busy yourself with. We also have easy access to the kitchen for snacks and it’s a perfect way to break up the session and capture some candid shots of real family life.

Portraits of home

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, not only does family photography at home make it so easy for families it creates a keepsake of how your life looked at this time. Years from now these photographs will become a part of your family history. When you have family photographs you are preserving a piece of your story that your children, and your grandchildren, will spend time staring at them - searching those faces for reflections of their own. They will soak up the details of each room for links to their own story. They will take in each room to understand a home they’ve perhaps forgotten having since moved. The blanket on the bed that was a wedding gift perhaps passed down and is there in the photos with everyone cuddled up on. I love capturing in-home family photography because they are some of the most real and authentic sessions. To be invited into a home is special and allows me to observe and capture true portraits of home.

If you’ve been thinking about creating a natural and joyful family keepsake that captures true reflections of you and your family in a relaxed way, I’d love to help you. Each session is as unique as every home. Let’s plan your session.