It’s that time of year when parents search through months and months of pictures for the perfect family photo to use for their annual holiday cards. You may have a special picture in your files, but you may want to hire someone to capture that moment. Professional photographers that specialize in family photography have special skills that allow them to capture family moments.
We were able to interview an amazing local photographer – Ryan Estes. His photos will make you wish you had taken those photography classes in college. Ryan takes amazing family photos and he has a knack for capturing the special moments in a shoot. We asked for his advice on how to make the best of your photography shoot and he responded below.
1. What is the best way to prepare kids for a photo shoot?
Getting kids ready to have their pictures taken can really make or break a shoot. Apart from the obvious (how you’ll dress them, making sure their hair is combed, etc.), one of the most important things is to make sure they’re rested. Portrait sessions can be pretty high-energy, and making sure your kids have gotten plenty of sleep is important. Taking your kids’ usual daily rhythms into consideration when planning the time for your shoot is a great idea.
2. What should a parent look for in a family photographer?
The place to start is, of course, their work. Do you like a particular photographer’s style? If not… look elsewhere! Photographers usually have a particular “look” to their images that they’ve found works best for them and for their clients. Explore their portfolio and — perhaps more importantly — their blog… if you see families and kids photographed in a way that is consistently appealing to you, there’s a great chance that you’ll love the work they do for you!
Experience is important as well. Cameras (and websites) are cheap these days, and new photographers enter the field every day. Some questions I might ask a photographer I’m considering hiring for a family portrait session would be: How long have you been doing this? Can I see some reviews from previous clients? Will you bring backup equipment along in case a camera or lens malfunctions? Are you comfortable using different types of lighting? How will you handle adverse circumstances if the weather (or light) isn’t ideal?
One other factor I’ll mention is personality. When you speak with a photographer, do they have the people skills needed to get their subjects to relax? To smile? To engage with others? Photography is more than just knowing what f-stop or shutter speed to use. Most people are a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, so I always try to spend some time talking with my clients, joking with the kids, putting them at ease, so when the camera comes up, that genuine emotion shines through.
3. How do you know you’re working with a good kids photographer?
I’ll point to my answers to question #2… are the images of a high quality? Do they put you at ease during the shoot to bring out the right sort of emotion? How are they handling any hiccups that arise? Are they patient with the children? Do they seem to be enjoying what they do?
4. What locations are best to use for kids shoots? (playgrounds, fields?)
Playgrounds can work well, so can fields, parks, cities, gardens, the beach, old estates, farms, homes, and almost anywhere else. It all comes down to what you are looking for in the pictures. I often ask my clients what their family’s “vibe” is like, what overall feel they’d like from the pictures. Are you playful? Do you see yourselves in a rural or urban setting? While I certainly have a style of how I work with people and what types of images I shoot, I also recognize that every family is different, and I don’t want to put anyone in a box. How can we make this shoot all about you and your family? What will be the best location/style of clothing/time of day to reflect who you are? Should we include props? All of these are ways of personalizing your shoot.
5. How do you avoid the fake smiles kids use when being photographed?
Great question! There are some little tricks we can use (favorite toys? candy? whatever is appropriate for your child) to bring out a great smile. But perhaps the most important thing is to get the kids and parents to relax. If mom and dad are always saying “C’mon Jimmy! Look at the camera! Smile! Say cheese! No, I mean a real smile!” then you can almost guarantee painfully fake smiles. I like to let kids run around, have them play with mom and dad, and basically relax about it. When kids try to smile for the camera, it’s never “real.” When they’re smiling or laughing because they’re genuinely having a good time, that’s magic.
6. Is there a better time of day for a photo shoot?
Either early morning or late afternoon work best for portraits, when the sun is lower in the sky. Usually that means within the first hour or so after the sun rises, or in the hour or two before it sets, when the sunlight is at its most beautiful and flattering.
7. What should you expect from the photographer before the shoot?/After?
Before the shoot, your photographer should be in touch with you about any details regarding both the shoot and your family. While every photographer does things differently, I give my clients information on what to expect with the shoot, how to prepare, what to wear, etc. I also like to find out if there are any family dynamics I should be aware of, and find out if there are specific expectations or wishes my clients have. This helps me to plan the shoot better and know how to be prepared.
After the shoot, your photographer should communicate clearly what the next steps are, and in what timeframe. Because most photographers shoot digitally, there is a lot of work that goes into the pictures after the images have been shot. When will the images be ready to view and order? How long do prints and canvases take to be delivered? Again, every photographer does things in the way they’ve found works best for them. You just want to make sure everyone is on the same page.
If you’re searching for the perfect family photographer, I’d recommend taking a look at Ryan’s website. You’ll be amazed at the images he can capture. And here are some photos from a photo shoot he did with a PARENTise member to whet your appetite.
Great tips. My 4 year old has decided he no longer likes being photographed, so I’m hesitant to get professional photos done this year. This age has been really challenging!
Diane…4yo’s aren’t easy to get to do what you want! Ryan Estes says that the key is to make the kids comfortable…so if you can find the right photog and the right location you might get some good luck!
fantastic tips. We got ours done with a 1 year old and 3 year old, and what I learned is to be flexible and take what you can get! As long as my husband and I smiled through our photos then they looked good, no matter WHAT the kids were doing.
That’s a great tip Carrie! And it is so important to get photos with the parents in them too! Too often we’re behind the camera!
He does very nice work. And great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Michelle! His work really is amazing!
So sad to say we haven’t had a family portrait taken in years! Professionally at least. When and if we do ,these are GREAT tips!
Thanks for coming by! Photos are great for memories – but it has to be right for your family! Let us know if you get some taken – would love to hear about it!
these are great tips! the thought of a photo shoot with 2 kids is scary!
I’ve learned that once you go through Ryan’s steps to find someone you feel comfortable with, to trust their professional eye. The first time we did a “lifestyle” shoot with a professional photog, I was so sure she “wasn’t getting anything” that I almost started doing all those things Ryan says not to! “Come on, a REAL smile…” Not in my nature normally, but pressure is on when you have the photog there for that one AM and those couple of hours of good light. When I saw the final images I realized the whole thing is smoother when I stay in my mommy “lane” and let the photog direct.
These are some great tips. We haven’t had professional pictures of our kids, or us in quite a while. This makes me thing we should do that soon.
LOVE these tips! Just in time for Holiday photos too!!
Hillary
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