TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY SESSION | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA PHOTOGRAPHER

PREPARE AHEAD

From talking to your kids to picking out your outfits, being prepared will take away a mountain of stress. Wardrobe for the entire family gets left to mom so start shopping the moment you book your session! I know how fast time slips away and it’s never fun to be last minute shopping the night before your session! It’s a daunting task but i’m here to hold your hand as much as you want!

Start preparing your kids about a week before your session (or before!). Explain to them “We are going to go see Mrs. Carly next week at the park and she’s going to take our pictures together! Won’t that be so much fun?!” and repeat throughout the week. Show them my photo from my instagram or my about me page on my website so they’ll know what I look like! Kids love predictability so knowing what they’re going to be doing and with who, helps tremendously during our time together. Build up the anticipation all week long and talk to them about what your expectations are for their behavior. But remember, keep it positive. I cannot stress this enough. Let your kids feed off of your light, positive and fun attitude at your session and let me do the convincing – i’ve got some tricks up my sleeve 😉

Lastly, don’t be afraid to plan a treat for them during/after the session! This could be something small like their favorite candy bar or something bigger like going to their favorite restaurant for dinner! Kids love working for a reward so this typically works really well.

GO WITH THE FLOW

Going back to staying positive, if one of your children is NOT feeling it, give them some time to warm up. I don’t really put a time limit on my sessions because if your children are more cooperative and outgoing, we can get it done quicker. If your children a little more reserved and need time to warm up or take breaks to run around and play then your session may take a little longer and that’s okay! Sometimes the most precious photos are the candid ones where mom is holding her 1 year old that just needs a minute to cuddle or where dad is throwing his 3 year old in the air to make him laugh. Let your kids be kids! Embrace the chaos and I promise you your gallery will be incredible!

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

From the moment you book, trust your photographer. I send my clients a full session experience guide on location suggestions, what to wear, how to prepare your kids, what to expect during and after your session, etc. I have curated this guide over the years with every detail in mind to help you not only have a successful session but one that will create beautiful imagery for you to enjoy forever. The trust should continue during your session. If you think something sounds awkward or silly, I promise you your photographer is telling you to do it for a reason. I know it feels weird to do certain things but a lot of the time the most “awkward feeling” prompts end up being favorites! If you have full trust throughout your entire experience, you’ll be able to enjoy every moment.

Looking for a South Carolina Newborn Photographer located in Columbia? I’d love to chat with you about what the experience looks like to hire Carly Poole Photography. Click here to contact me or if you’re interested in my Motherhood Membership, click here to apply!