The leaves are already beginning to change.  It's that time of year again; the month of October is a very popular month is the Midwest to have your family portraits taken.  I have lived in Kansas City my entire life and love watching the change in the leaves this time of year.  Those gorgeous, vibrant reds, yellows and orange get me every year.  With family photos comes a few stressed out mama's.  So let me try to relieve your worries with a few tips on how to help you fall family photo session go as smooth as possible.  

Tip #1

When searching google for "family photographer near me" or "Lee's Summit Photographer" be sure to not only look at what the photographer has to offer package wise, but also check out their work.  Photographers are artists (while there is a bit of math and science that goes into it as well).  We each have our own style and when we are allowed to work with in our style, it allows us to shine and make you and your family shine too!  So if you are interested in very posed images, with perfect smiling faces toward the camera, please do not hire a photographer who specializes in more of a photo journalistic style; and vice versa.  If you love images that are light and airy, please do not hire a photographer who rocks a sweet dark and moody portrait.  Find someone who's work you love and let them take it from there.  (Side note:  If you know your teen is going to want to have acne photo shopped out or you'd like 5-10 pounds reduced in pictures on yourself, be sure to hire a photographer who has these skills and offers this.)

Tip #2

What to wear?  What to wear?  What to wear?   . . . . I feel this is always the hardest part of getting your family pictures taken.  So what I like to do is start with me first.  I go out and try on a few things and when I (finally lol) find something that fits well and I feel good in I go from there and tackle the task of getting outfits for the rest of the family.  (and usually my husband is last in the process because lucky for me he is pretty easy going and often even has something in his closet that will do).

I also suggest having the whole family coordinate.  Pick 3-4 colors in your color scheme.  This year I went for a fall colored theme, (yellows, maroons, greens, navy, browns).  Having everyone wear white or everyone wear black was in about 10 or so years ago and way easier to coordinate, but things change.  Plus this gives everyone a chance to have their own style and personality shine in the family photos.  

Tip #3

Schedule your family photos when it's best for the kids.  Kids are kids, they are not robots and have ups and downs.  So let's try to do our best to schedule family pictures when they will be happy.  (So not during nap time, not during dinner time, not the day after a big birthday party, and not after they get their shots).  This tip is especially helpful if you are a young family with little ones still napping.  While if you have teens of course they can push through a little hunger (usually) and what not.  BUT if you have a teen, be sure not to plan family photos during an event (football game, birthday party, movie night) your teen is really looking forward too, because of course then they will be grumpy too.  (I would be lol)

Tip #4

Do you have a pet?  Ask your photographer if you can include the pet.  Most of the time they are all for it!  Now if you have a 1-2 year old, this may be too much as 1-2 is the most difficult age to photograph.  But if not bring the dog!  Bring the Turtle!  Bring the cat if it will let you!  These little guys are such a big part of our lives, let's get them on the large wall canvas we all put in our living rooms.  They are part of the family!!

Tip #5

And lastly . . . have fun!  Don't worry too much about the kids cooperating, (of course bribery is appreciated when needed) but most family photographers usually have a few tricks up their sleeves to get the kids smiling and having fun, while at the same time capturing those coveted family memories we all dream of.  (You should also check with your photographer, if you get there and your child is having a melt down will the photographer let you reschedule? )

If you have yet to schedule family pictures this year I'd love to help you out.  Photographing families is one of my favorite things to photograph.  I love building that perfect family pose and then playing peek a boo with the kids (which usually gets even bigger smiles from the adults ha!).  And getting that classic family snuggle pose or the cute  walking in the park shot. 

Happy Family Photo Season!!!