Last weekend we had the pleasure of getting our family photos captured by the talented Courtney Mezger, a Syracuse based lifestyle photographer. Family photos are something you will cherish forever, and are such a joy to look back on. When doing family portraits there is a lot to consider; choosing a photographer, location, outfits, what to bring etc. Between picking Courtney’s brain and pulling from my experience I am here to give you some tips to make family photos a success!
As with anything, patience is key when children are involved. Courtney is a mom of four and from the first time I spoke with her I could sense her patience and kindness. She provided me with an inpiration board well in advance which was amazing, and suggested some great locations. Her ability to capture each of my children’s unique personalities is amazing, I will treasure these images for years to come! I could not be more obsessed with how they turned out, if you are local be sure to give her a follow and check out the rest of our family session here on her blog!
For outfits, make sure your kids are wearing something that they are comfortable in. Stick with timeless pieces, solids and neutral tones are always great! Wait until right before you head out the door, or even wait to change once you arrive to the location to change into your outfits. Lastly, be sure to bring at least one backup outfit, including shoes for everyone. Kids are bound to get dirty, and malfunctions happen! I packed a large seagrass tote with multiple outfits for everyone and few accessories!
Bring a stroller, I keep this one in my car I love how it is compact and has great storage. Our location was a park so it was nice to put the kids in and quickly move to another area. Everything we needed was readily available, and it was also nice to be able to have a safe place for the kids while Drew and I got a few shots together!
Bring snacks, water and special treats! I packed gummies, little lollipops and some non-messy snacks. Be sure to keep everyone well hydrated and offer lots of snacks in between!
Lastly, have fun! Try not to stress, there will be times when someone does not want to smile, stand/sit where you originally intend, or even be in a specific area. These things will happen, just redirect their attention on something they enjoy. Courtney was great at this, she had Elin help her pick and make the sweetest little bouquet, then played peek-a-boo with Felix. Make it a fun playful experience, the real life candid shots always end up being my favorite!
Courtney offers a variety of services; you may reach out to her here and mention UPSTATEMAMA for $25 off your session with her!
Thanks for coming by, and happy almost Friday!
xoxo,
Jenny