A few years ago, before I was a portrait photographer, I had portraits taken of my own family.
I was engaged at the time, and we had just hired our wedding photographer. We didn’t want a typical engagement session and decided to make it a family portrait session instead.
We schedule the session with our photographer. We set the date, time, and location.
But as I was getting ready for our portrait session, I had no idea what to expect and I wasn't really sure how to prepare.
What should we wear? Should we match?
Did I need to bring anything?
Was my 6-year-old going to behave or would she drive the photographer nuts?
Would the photographer pose us or tell us what to do?
I never discussed any of these things with her, and I was a little nervous about how things would go. And during our session, I was so nervous and uncomfortable. (Even photographers get self-conscious about being photographed!)
When we saw our portraits, we looked awkward in many of the images. Our outfits didn’t really go together. And you could tell we were a little uncomfortable at times.
I’ll admit, our family portraits weren’t a disaster. I was able to pick out a few that I liked and they’re hanging on my living room wall. But I wish we had started our session off a little more prepared. If I had known what to expect, we might have been more relaxed and better coordinated.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they book a family portrait session is not discussing the details with the photographer.
When most people hire a photographer for the first time, they don’t know what to expect. They know when and where their session will take place. But they’re often unsure about what to expect, what to wear, and what they’ll actually be doing while the photographer is snapping away.
Better communication with their photographer can easily solve this problem.
How RMP Makes It Easier For You
As an experienced family portrait photographer, I know what concerns and questions people usually have before their session. I have a few easy tips for choosing outfits that look great. And I know how to make your portrait session a fun and easy experience for the whole family.
When you book a portrait session with Racquel Marie Photography, one of the first things we do is have a short planning phone call. We’ll talk about how you envision your portraits and discuss all the details of your session. I’ll give you tips for selecting the best outfits and preparing your little ones. And I’ll answer any questions you have about your session.
On the day of your session, you’ll know exactly what’s going to happen and feel confident and at ease, so you can relax and have fun with your family!
Not planning your session with your photographer is just one of a few common mistakes many people make when hiring a family photographer. To find out what other mistakes you want to avoid, click here to get my guide to 7 Common Mistakes People Make When Hiring A Photographer.