Preparing for your family session

North Dallas Family & Child Photographer

As a mom of four kids who are all very close in age, trust me when I say: I get it. I know preparing for your family session can feel pretty daunting.

Do you have questions regarding how to prepare for your upcoming family session? Let’s answer all of your questions so that you feel prepped and ready to have a stress free session. I want you enjoy both your pictures and the session too. Your only job is to show up all set to have fun and love on your family. I’ve got the rest.

Anna Roorda photography photographs an Indian family at Arbor Hills in Plano Texas

A timeline: Preparing for Your Family Session:

BEFORE YOUR FAMILY SESSION

Choose your session type
Fill out your questionnaire when you book your session
Pick your location
Begin to style your session based off of the style guide and text me your clothing choices
Receive session reminder & final invoice

DAY OF YOUR FAMILY SESSION

Pull together outfits & accessories
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
Show up, have fun, play games, & snuggle
*Sigh of relief* YOU DID IT!
Get ice cream (or maybe a drink)

AFTER YOUR FAMILY SESSION

Your gallery will be ready in 2-4 weeks after your session.
A link to your gallery will be sent to you through email. The instructions for how to choose favorites (if you chose a half session) will be in the email.
Download your gallery. You can order prints and cards right from your gallery. If you don’t print through your gallery my suggestion is to print with Mpix.com.
I would love it if you would leave me a Google review. There will be a link for that in the email that has your gallery link.

Baby with mom at a photo session in Arbor Hills with Anna Roorda Photography.

Some tips and tricks as you prepare for your family session

Photo session day can be a little crazy! Go ahead and prepare several days before your session. Pull your outfits together and put them in a special place, hanging up. Steam anything that needs it the day before. Gather accessories (like jewelry, watches, hats, suspenders, and shoes) and put them in a bag so that you won’t be scrambling on the day of your session.

Tell your kids that we will be exploring and playing outside. This is so much more than just family pictures. It is more like a little adventure. I choose locations that allow for playing and exploring. Often we see wildlife too like ducks and deer.

If haven’t already seen it, check out the blog post titled: “Stress Free Family Photo Sessions”

Preparing Dad for the your session:

If your husband is less than thrilled about family photos here are few things you can do to ease his mind. First, share the tips I have mentioned above. Let him know that it’s okay for your kids to laugh and play at our session. You can assure him that looking at the camera for every photo is not the goal. Let him know this isn’t going to be as painful as those JC Penny photo shoots his mom made him do when he was growing up. I want him to be himself.

Preparing your expectations for your session:

TIP#1: This is going to sound weird, but hear me out. Don’t do much parenting during your session. Because I want you get to focus on having fun with your kids, let me be the one to tell your kids what to do.. I cannot stress this enough. Kids are cute, always. Moms & dads who are trying to force kids to sit still tend to have… not cute faces.
HOWEVER – If they are in immediate danger you can for sure step in and be the parent again.
TIP #2: During the session we are going to avoid “cheese” and anything else that forces smiles. The most important part of this experience is enjoying the time spent together. Above all, I want real, genuine smiles. One of my very favorite things to photograph is laughter. (As you look through my website and blog, you will see many examples of this.) So, let’s create some laughter inducing moments!
TIP #3: I want your photos to capture the essence of your family. Each and every family that steps in front of my camera is unique. I have my go to prompts and activities to get you moving, but the beautiful thing is no 2 sessions are going to look the same. Don’t be afraid to let loose and be yourselves.
TIP #4: I’m definitely not against bribery. As a family, choose a treat or activity that you will do after the session. However, If your child is acting a little wild during our session, remember tip #1. Another equally important point is – please don’t take your child’s treat away if they aren’t doing what you want. It only produces tears and sad/mad faces.
TIP #5: Because they feel what they feel, small kids can’t fake it. I will not force them into anything they are not comfortable with. But don’t worry, I’m pretty good and making kids feel seen and welcome. I’m also very laid back and like to keep our sessions low key.

TIP #6:

This is especially true for littles. Often times the tendency is to turn, look at the baby, and say, “look at the camera!” while pointing at me. Then I get pictures of you looking away and pointing at me. I am pretty sure that is not what you envisioned. So, go ahead and look either at me or at your sweet little one. They don’t have to look at me in order for these to be great pictures. BUT 99% of the time, they do eventually look at me.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS YOUR TURN AROUND TIME?
2- 4 weeks

WHERE SHOULD I PRINT MY PHOTOS?
My first suggestion is through your gallery. The pricing through your gallery is priced fairly low in order to serve you best. It is connected to a trusted professional lab. There are some pre selected options so that your larger pictures come backed on styrene, which gives them a thick hard backing so they won’t bow in a frame.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
If it rains your session fee will apply to a new date that we choose. I will make sure you are taken care of and get amazing pictures!

WHAT TYPE OF POSES DO YOU DO? CAN I SEND YOU PINTEREST INSPIRATION?
You are more than welcome to send me your Pinterest ideas. Keep in mind these are inspiration for your photos, not exact copy of what I will be photographing. As far as poses for family sessions, we don’t really do poses. We play, laugh, and run around. We will do a few posed pictures here and there, but the majority of your session will not be posed.

CAN WE BRING OUR PET?
Yes! (I have three big dogs at home.) If you do plan to bring your dog, please just let me know ahead of time so I can be prepared. Bring treats or a toy that will help get your dog’s attention. Often your dog’s natural tendency is to face you, rather than me. It’s ok! Patience and treats usually get them to face me. Also, as said before, everyone looking at me is not my goal. I would much rather have a picture of your child playing with your dog, rather than everyone looking at me.

WHAT IF MY CHILDREN DON’T COOPERATE?
Your child isn’t special in that regard. I’ve seen it all, and I’m used to it. Here’s the important thing… don’t let it get to you. I can get photos of any wild child, but I cannot get a flattering photo of a mad and sweaty mom.