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You are here: Home / Life / How to Survive (and Actually Enjoy) a Family Photo Shoot

How to Survive (and Actually Enjoy) a Family Photo Shoot

November 5, 2018 By Kari Leave a Comment

how to survive a family photo shoot-1

Put on your game face: it’s family photo shoot time! We sit in front of photographers relatively often, so you might think we’d be old pros. Truth is, we’re not. You never know what can go sideways with a three-year-old and a dog in the mix!

Just recently, we teamed up with the lovely and amazing Dallas Curow of Dallas Curow Photography for our family Christmas card photo shoot, as part of her Winter Mini Portraits sessions.  We loved the experience! After, I asked Dallas to pass along her best tips to make your family photo not only survivable, but fun! Check out her tips – for both before, during, and after the shoot – below.

First, meet Dallas!

how to survive a family photo shoot-2

Dallas Curow: Photographer, Mom, Makeup Artist

I’ve been taking portraits my entire life, receiving my first camera as a toddler from my photographer mother and learning at her feet. I photographed my toys, friends, classmates – anyone who would agree to step in front of my camera! My first professional gig was as photo editor for Western University’s daily student newspaper, The Gazette. From there, I continued taking portraits on the side while pursuing my master’s degree and working in marketing in Montreal. Nearly six years ago, I got the courage to make photography my full-time gig, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else!

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I know that when most people think about being photographed, especially as a family, “bliss” is far from the first word that comes to mind! Meltdowns, tantrums, awkward moments, and stress are much more common scenarios when parents envision dragging their kids to be photographed. I’ve photographed countless families, and have picked up some great tricks along the way. Today, I’d like to share my Top Ten Tips to help you not only survive, but actually enjoy your family portrait session.

When people ask me what I photograph, I say, “Anything with people!” For me, taking pictures has always been about connecting with others. I delight in helping bring confidence and joy to people by showing them with my camera how beautiful they are, both inside and out. It’s important to me that the experience of being photographed is joyful, easy, and empowering. Then, that the resulting images preserve the memory of that blissful feeling.

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How To Survive a Family Photo Shoot:

#1: Arrive on Time

This one is self-explanatory, but very important. Leave the house earlier than you think you need to, and allow buffer time for unexpected twists (like last-minute bathroom emergencies or retrieving a child’s favourite toy forgotten at home). Arriving on time ensures your photographer can stay on schedule so nothing feels rushed for you.

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#2: Eat Beforehand + Bring Snacks

Make sure you arrive at your shoot fed and hydrated, but also pack water and small, easy snacks for your kids. Nothing kills the vibe like someone getting hangry!

how to survive a family photo shoot-6

#3: Choose Outfits That Make You Feel Amazing

Don’t try to squeeze anyone into ill-fitting jeans! Wear things that make you feel confident and comfortable the second you put them on. Don’t wear something you don’t love. Don’t wear a tank top if you know you’re self-conscious about your arms.  Let your kids wear their favourite outfits!

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#4: Prep Like it’s a Special Occasion

Because, being photographed with your loved ones IS special! If it’s a remote possibility given your childcare options, consider having your makeup and/or hair professionally done. Many artists offer mobile services and will come to your home. If this isn’t possible, do your best to allow yourself a little extra time to get ready (same goes for your partner), so you can look and feel your best. Plus, give your kids a little extra TLC (e.g. special braids, hair gel), so they feel excited about getting ready too.

how to survive a family photo shoot-8

#5: Make It a Game To Practice at Home

Beforehand, tell your kids that they’re going to go to a fun place to get their pictures taken. You can practice taking pictures at home, or let them have fun looking in the mirror, practicing their smiles.

how to survive a family photo shoot-9

#6: Set the Tone

Most photographers will have music playing in their studio space, but just in case they don’t, I recommend loading a playlist of your family’s favourite music on your phone. This way, you can take in the tunes together while having fun being photographed!

how to survive a family photo shoot-10

#7: Trust Your Photographer

Do your research, ask friends for recommendations, and choose your photographer carefully. If you find someone you’re comfortable with, it makes everything so much more fun. During your shoot, you can have faith that s/he has your back, will make you feel at ease, and will ensure you look your best.

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#8: Live in the Moment

Give yourself permission to feel beautiful, to let go of your inhibitions, and truly soak up this special time with your family.

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#9: Don’t be Afraid to Reward Yourselves For Surviving

It never hurts for kids to know if they rally for their portraits, there may be a reward waiting for them at the end. Same goes for you, Mom and Dad! A family visit to an ice cream shop, perhaps?

how to survive a family photo shoot-13

#10: Print Your Photos

Finally, don’t let your images exist only in digital form! Order prints from your photographer, print them at a professional level print shop, or best of all, have them made into holiday cards that you can send out to family and friends!

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Photos: Dallas Curow Photography

If you live in the Edmonton area, Dallas has added another Winter Mini Portraits session on Saturday, November 17th. Contact her here to book your session.

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Dallas headshot: Breanne Marie Photography

 

Pin this to your Family Christmas Photos and Photography boards, and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest!

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Other Posts You’ll Like:

How To Find The Perfect Jeans

Five Simple Ways to Create a Joyful Home 

Pretty Polka Dot Floral Wrap DIY

xx

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Filed Under: Everything Christmas!, Life, Motherhood, Parenting Chats, Play Local, Time-Savers

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✨️Post your hot tips for saving cash in the comments ⤵️ so we can all help each other. Here’s a few of mine:

1️⃣ Make sure your bank cards are giving you something back. Do some digging and find out what your debit and credit cards get you. Example: I have a Scene debit card which earns me free movies (and snacks at the theatre) for us and the kids. 

2️⃣ Check your favourite brand’s tagged posts on Instagram. When you’re looking to make a new purchase always check here first! It’s where you’ll find partnership posts from Creators you may not follow who have a discount code you can use with that brand (Of course, if you do use the code - thank the Creator with a ‘follow’ and/or share.)

3️⃣ FREE CHILDCARE at City Rec Facilities. Now, this may depend on where you live but it doesn’t hurt to check. Where we’re at in Edmonton, Canada, four City of Edmonton rec facilities offer free childcare with your rec pass for up to two hours (you must stay in the building). I used to do this with our oldest and pop over to a quiet area and work. You could also do this to get a workout in or meet a friend for coffee without having to spend on childcare. 

4️⃣ Library books - as much as we love treating ourselves to a new book,these are FREE and it's a fun experience with your kid

5️⃣ Shop online where you can. This will help you stick to your list and budget and not get thrown off by all the shiny things. 

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These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

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Actually listened to the lyrics while Miss. Rachel was on.🙈 Side note- i love her.

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#motherhoodjourney #wheelsonthebus #1950scalled
Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️ You kno Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️

You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? M This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? Makes me want to be a better human. ✨️✨️

Words by @wordsof_emmaheaphy 

📍Save this to come back to and share with your friends in motherhood. Be sure to check out my Reel two back on 'Glimmers' - that one has helped me with the tough days.❤️❤️

➡️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 👋

#motherhoodjourney #momquote #parentingquotes
Load More… Follow on Instagram

kariskelton

Wait for it and read this ⤵️ …but first - S Wait for it and read this ⤵️

…but first - SAVE this so you can come back to it later. Below you’ll find the important reason I’m sharing this. 🫶

✨️Post your hot tips for saving cash in the comments ⤵️ so we can all help each other. Here’s a few of mine:

1️⃣ Make sure your bank cards are giving you something back. Do some digging and find out what your debit and credit cards get you. Example: I have a Scene debit card which earns me free movies (and snacks at the theatre) for us and the kids. 

2️⃣ Check your favourite brand’s tagged posts on Instagram. When you’re looking to make a new purchase always check here first! It’s where you’ll find partnership posts from Creators you may not follow who have a discount code you can use with that brand (Of course, if you do use the code - thank the Creator with a ‘follow’ and/or share.)

3️⃣ FREE CHILDCARE at City Rec Facilities. Now, this may depend on where you live but it doesn’t hurt to check. Where we’re at in Edmonton, Canada, four City of Edmonton rec facilities offer free childcare with your rec pass for up to two hours (you must stay in the building). I used to do this with our oldest and pop over to a quiet area and work. You could also do this to get a workout in or meet a friend for coffee without having to spend on childcare. 

4️⃣ Library books - as much as we love treating ourselves to a new book,these are FREE and it's a fun experience with your kid

5️⃣ Shop online where you can. This will help you stick to your list and budget and not get thrown off by all the shiny things. 

➡️ I’m sharing this to shine the spotlight on @civicserviceunion52 - a union representing over 6,000 city workers - 83% of whom haven’t seen a pay raise since 2018! That’s bonkers. Factor in inflation - that’s a pay cut. It’s just not fair, AND there’s something you can do about it. 

These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

#sponsored #budgetingtips #frugalfamily #CSU52 #moneysavinghacks
Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 ... but seriously? 

Actually listened to the lyrics while Miss. Rachel was on.🙈 Side note- i love her.

 What else needs changing? ⬇️
#motherhoodjourney #wheelsonthebus #1950scalled
Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️ You kno Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️

You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? M This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? Makes me want to be a better human. ✨️✨️

Words by @wordsof_emmaheaphy 

📍Save this to come back to and share with your friends in motherhood. Be sure to check out my Reel two back on 'Glimmers' - that one has helped me with the tough days.❤️❤️

➡️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 👋

#motherhoodjourney #momquote #parentingquotes
Load More… Follow on Instagram

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