Give me all the wild, wiggly kids! My approach to family photo sessions | Napa Family Photographer

I get it. You have invested in a family photo shoot. You’ve put time into coordinating everyone’s outfits. This has been on the calendar for weeks. You arrive and your kids are all over the place, no one is listening, the little one instantly falls in the dirt the moment you step out of the car. It may seem chaotic to you, but this is my jam. Here are 5 tips to think about your family photos in a different way, that can make ALL the difference…

1. Start introducing the session a few days before. Remind your kids that “we are meeting up with my friend Margy on Saturday to play in the vineyard! She is bringing her camera to take some photos of us playing together!” This approach goes much further than asking for good behavior at the session. I want your kids to be excited to go play vs. seeing it as a chore or undesirable task.

2. Have a snack before, bring snacks for during, and make plans for a snack or fun trip afterwards. There is always one child that needs a little break during photos, and a quick snack is a great way for them to reset. A plan for an ice cream outing post-photos, or a promise to make popcorn at home after as a family afterwards helps keeps them focused during the session, and gives them something go look forward to.

3. Wait until you arrive at the session location to put final clothing on for little ones. Leave the house in a play shirt, and when you arrive, pop on their photo shoot shirt as you’re getting out of the car.

4. You think your kids are misbehaving—I call it spirited ;) I encourage kids to run, play and be silly. Yes, I will do my best to get a shot of everyone looking at the camera, but that is not my goal. My goal is to get images that show your family being yourself. I will never say “SMILE!!”…and you won’t need to either. I will ask your kids if they like french fries, or mac and cheese. You would be surprised how much genuine joy appears on your child’s face when they are just having simple conversation. This also helps avoid the dreaded strained and pained “toddler smile” . Lol.

5. No matter how stressed you feel, take a deep breath and go with the flow. I will direct and run the session. I promise that parental energy during a session makes all the difference. See it as an opportunity to play with your kids, and everyone will shine.

**I have been photographing this family for years now, and they ALWAYS come to play. It never goes according to “plan”, but honestly, what does? Their galleries are some of my favorites, because there is so much life and love within them.

Spring Family Photos > Fall Family Photos? | Napa Family Photography

A couple months ago my friend and talented photographer Justine DiFede and I were talking and she said she thought it was funny how everyone always wanted family photos in the fall when everything was dying. She thought spring photos would be so much better. So true!! That got me thinking…Don’t get me wrong, fall family photos are always a favorite. The rich, deep colors of fall can seem unparalleled, and its perfect timing to send out an updated photo of the fam for holiday cards, but I really think people should consider switching to spring family photos.

This year in California, spring seems to have sprung a month early, and I have done some family shoots in the last couple weeks and I am obsessed with them! The green grass is vibrant, flowers are blooming. The sun feels so good, so everyone is happy to be outside.

• Everyone isn’t all stressed out with all the holiday travel, present buying, wrapping and sending. You aren’t meal planning to have the entire family over to your house.

• The last thing you feel like doing is getting everyone dressed and out the door to family photos!

• My schedule isn’t packed to the brim so you have more choices for dates and times.

• Everything in the air is fresh, new, and flowering.

• It isn’t fire season.

• It isn’t harvest.

• Need I say more? Click below if you’re ready to learn more!

The more I think about it, spring family photos really should really be the new fall family photos. Just sayin’.

***Side note: This beautiful family was supposed to do fall photos, but long story short, it got pushed to February, and I am not sad about it. I think it all worked out for the best. Look at how stunning they are!!

What to Wear to your Family Session | Napa Family Photography

One thing most clients struggle with is choosing outfits for the whole family! I have put together five tips to hopefully take the stress out of dressing your fam for your session!

FIVE TIPS TO DRESSING THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOR A PHOTOSHOOT

1. MOM—PICK WHAT YOU’RE WEARING FIRST! Choose something you love and feel beautiful and comfortable in! Then build the rest of the family outfits around what you’re wearing!

2. SMART FOOTWEAR! Hey, I’m all about the cute heels, but keep in mind that we may be in a vineyard or on uneven ground, or it could have rained the day before (hello mud!)…either way, just be conscious about what footwear you choose—for yourself and your kids! I often have the kids run and play during the session! Of course, you are always welcome to bring two pairs of shoes to mix it up.

3. STICK TO NEUTRALS! Neutrals blend together well—if someone is wearing a ultra bright color and everyone else is in neutral tones, they stick out and the eye is drawn to them in every photograph! You certainly don’t have to match…but my best advice is to blend :)

4. NO LOGOS! Logos or any writing on your clothing is distracting and takes away from the connection and love that is being shared in your photographs!

5. CHOOSE AHEAD OF TIME! Do the outfit picking a week or two ahead of time! The last thing you want is to realize someones shoes don’t fit, or a shirt is “too itchy”! Set yourself up for success and decide on everyones outfits with plenty of time to spare.