Focusing on good family photos during your photo session is always a good idea! Unless you’re going to set up a camera on a tripod with a timer, you just don’t get all family members in the same frame. That’s why people go to a professional photographer!
Big kids! They don’t run from you like toddlers, but sometimes photographers need help because older kids can sometimes be timid at first.
I’ll preface my advice by telling you that it helps when you know a family. The ‘warming up’ period goes pretty quickly and they’re ready to laugh and have fun with you. So, keep your clients if you can!
The last hour of the day is commonly referred to as golden hour. It can be used to create a beautiful glowy photo. Or if used incorrectly, the image can be filled with lots of white blown-out highlights. So, how do you do a photo shoot at golden hour?
Is 20 minutes really enough time for a mini-session?
If you ask any of my clients that have had a mini-session with me, the answer will be a re-sounding YES.
When I started my business in 2007, I spent hours pouring over online articles. I wanted to know how it all worked. How do you book a session, how long should it take, how do you decide which photos to edit, what software do you use to edit them? SO. MANY QUESTIONS.
I’m a big fan of muted neutral colors for photo sessions. This palette has just the right amount of color mixed with pattern and texture.
Family Photographer Newport Beach
When clients book me for the first time, they ask…can you really get good photos in 20 minutes? The short answer: YES.
I love working with little kids because they are so authentic. They don’t mince words and once they’re on my side, we’re winning. I can get them to create the images I know their mom and dad will love while they think we’re playing a game.
Sometimes we look at a photo and feel like it all just fell into place. When in reality, as photographers, we are spinning quite a few plates. Here’s a little bit of what’s inside the mind of a photographer. During a photo session, I’m thinking about my camera settings and light angles first. But if that’s all I thought about, my photos would be boring. I’m also reading people (and kids!). I’m trying to get to know them…and eventually make them laugh. I want my angles to be flattering, so I’m thinking about that too. THEN, you throw in something like the wind. I have to trouble shoot the wind be placing my subjects in a way that won’t leave them with hair flying everywhere. And if I can manage to keep all the plates spinning, I can end up with beautiful, authentic photos.
I love working with kids. They don’t have any pretenses. And they aren’t conformed by social norms. If they want to do something, they just do it. And I love it! It’s what makes them kids. And they grow out of it eventually. So, it’s super sweet to have these little moments during the photo session when they just let their personality shine.
During this particular session with twins, he was reserved and she was silly and funny and moving all around. Even the multi-colored nails were just HER. Love it!
I start the session by asking, is your baby serious? One year olds can be all business. They have a whole world to learn! And if I try to get too silly, it will just back fire and scare them. But, if I ease into things, the smiles will come at the end of the session.
This particular session started out with the baby just checking me out. She was curious about me and the big black camera. But, before long, she forgot she was at a photo session and her mom and dad were able to get her laughing and smiling.
That’s the beauty of reading people (and babies). If you ask questions and be accommodating, everything goes your way!
Photos by Family Photographer Huntington Beach, Kristin Eldridge.
Here’s another one year photo session to check out.