When you're booking your client it is best to set expectations early. 

Be sure that you book during good light. Everyone talks about golden hour. While it is a thing. It's not always the same. 

Mountain golden hour is different from the beach or the deserts golden hour. Educate your client and plan accordingly.

Also, send a quick 5 question questionnaire. One question needs to be what are you most looking forward to, which photo is most important.

What you have in mind and what the client does, needs to align. 

managing family portrait sessions

You did it! You booked the family, you are so excited they are like your dream clients. They paid what you asked. Got your opinion on how to dress, and OMG their kids are so cute.

But what if you freeze up...what if you can't find good light, what if they can tell you're still learning and obviously just an imposter?

Breathe. We got you.

Pretty much the holy grail in portrait photography is the classic family portrait. Everyone is together, smiling, looking at the camera. 

While everyone is fresh start here. Everyone together, posed, camera aware, smiling.

Even if you need to wait on light, or you have another location that will be more dreamy. Do this first. Don't take the chance of littles getting fussy and then you missed your opportunity to get the entire family together. 

Then any other shots that are important to them do next. If that was the main focus, great! You're good to get creative.

If everyone is still happy by the end of the session. One more full family, different order, camera aware, and smiling. 

You can't go wrong here.

Write this down or take a screen shot. Every family gallery that we deliver to our dream clients has multiple photos of full family together. 

Mom with kids.
Mom with each kid individually.

Dad with kids.
Dad with each kid individually.

All kids together.
Each kid individually.

Mom and Dad with each kid individually.

AND even if they don't ask. Please do a couple poses of Mom and Dad together. 

Even if they say no, this was mainly for the kids. Sincerely look at them and say "come on let's please do a couple." 

There always seems to be a high expectation on photographers to get the perfect photos of little kids smiling or laughing.

If you have a kid that is not wanting to cooperate. Try these things:

1. Act a freaking fool. - Who cares what others think? Repeat business from this client when you get the shot is music to my ears. I don't even charge strangers watching admission for the entertainment.

2. Have whatever song they like prepped on Spotify. -Baby Shark seems to be a crowd favorite.

3. Give them something to play with and take if from them last second. If you have props great, if not, leaves and sticks have worked too. 

4. Kala always has gummy bears in her back pocket. - Get the parent's permission. But bribery does work.