Kids change fast. The toddler who wouldn’t sit still last spring is suddenly a kid with strong opinions about her outfit and the baby who fit in the crook of your arm is now running across the yard. As a mom of 17-year-old twin girls, I know how quickly time goes from kindergarten to senior year.
I believe in documenting every chapter in your family’s story and I know that great family photos don’t require a big budget. They require showing up consistently and knowing a few simple tricks.
I’ve been a professional photographer for over ten years and here’s what I’ve learned about getting beautiful family photos without overspending.
Listen to Your Photographer
One of the biggest mistakes I see families make is not following their photographer’s advice. It’s easy to skip, but it can make a real difference in how your photos turn out. You hired them for a reason so trust their expertise.
Choose the Right Time of Day
Time of day determines what the light looks like. Your photographer will recommend a time that makes everyone look their best, so trust that recommendation, even if it means an earlier morning or a later dinner. Bring non-messy snacks and drinks to your session to tide the kids (and husband) over until you’re done.
Coordinate Your Outfits
Outfits that look cohesive make the whole gallery feel polished. Your photographer can help you pick colors and styles that work well together, so ask for input before you buy anything. I love when my families text me the outfit ideas they’re considering so I can weigh in ahead of time. If you’re planning your photo session now, here’s a blog post to get you started!
How I Prepare My Clients
I want to make sure every session I photograph is stress-free and seamless, and preparing my families for their sessions helps eliminate potential issues for them leading up to Photoshoot Day. Here’s what I tell my clients!
How to Dress Your Whole Family for Under $100
You don’t need to spend much on wardrobe. Most of my families find something in their closets that works. If you need a few pieces, here’s where I’d look:
Shop Consignment and Vintage Stores
I don’t enjoy spending money on clothing, so I’m a big fan of vintage and consignment shops. They offer far more variety than a typical department store, and the quality is often higher at a lower price. They’re good for your wallet and the planet!
Tampa has a number of vintage and consignment shops worth exploring. My daughters and I love Valhalla, Uptown Cheapskate, Label Swap and Avalon Exchange.
For our own family photos just a few months ago, we scoured the consignment shops here in Tampa and put together outfits for a family of four for under $100 total. Our photos turned out incredible!
Text Your Photographer Before You Buy
Send photos of your outfit ideas to your photographer before the session. A quick second opinion can save you money (and time) from buying something that has to be returned because it clashes or doesn’t photograph well .
Choose a Mini-Session over a Full Session to take advantage of the lower price point
Mini-Sessions are shorter (usually 15 or 20 minutes) and are offered at a lower price point with fewer images. Many photographers offer them right before the holidays to give families the opportunity to get a few updated images for holiday cards and gifts. If that’s something you’re considering but still aren’t sure, here are 5 reasons to book a Tampa Holiday Mini-Session.
Taking Family Photos at Home
You don’t need a studio or a truckload of gear. Natural light and a willingness to play go a long way. Some of the most loved photos I’ve ever taken happened in my back yard or right in a family’s living room. If you want to try it yourself, these are the tips that make the biggest difference:
Use a Tripod
Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or your iPhone, a tripod is a must. Set your camera to take multiple images at specific intervals so you have time to get into the frame after you set it up and change up the scene between photos. This solves the problem of who takes the picture when everyone needs to be in it.
Add Movement
Movement is one of the things that makes a photograph amazing. Try having the kids run into the frame right before the picture is taken. You’ll capture real energy instead of stiff, posed smiles.
Watch the Sun
Avoid standing in direct sunlight with the sun in your face. Early morning and later in the day are the best times to take pictures. If you have beautiful trees nearby, use them block some of the direct sunlight and give you softer light, even at other times of day.
Turn It Into a Game
I play games with all of my families during sessions, which makes it feel less like a chore and more like the family simply enjoying time together. Here are a few of my favorites:
Follow the Leader: let the kids take charge while everyone else follows along behind. While holding hands, walk toward the camera or across the frame.
Running in circles: mom and dad snuggle while the kids run circles around them.
Tickle fights: a great option when everyone is sitting down.
The best expressions come from laughing, not from being told to say cheese.
Take Family Photos Every Single Year
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: photograph your family every year. Children change so quickly that a yearly session becomes a record of every stage they go through. As a mom of twins, I knew I would only get to experience each stage once, so capturing my girls in every phase was incredibly important to me. You can’t get those stages back, and you’ll be so glad you have the photos.
What’s Next?
Set aside a date on the calendar where you and your family can commit to taking some family photos together. Order or borrow a tripod that fits your camera. Learn how to use the settings on your camera so that you can take multiple images, a few seconds apart. And have fun on photo day!!
If you’d like a more personalized experience, I would love to photograph your family. For more information on the experience, check out https://www.kimlloydphotography.com/.