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Family photoshoots are a great opportunity to capture a moment in time. Every decade provides a different cast of characters in your family’s story as children grow up and siblings are born. The family photo with one baby is infinitely different from that of a couple with three children ranging in age from a toddler to a teenager. To capture and preserve this year’s images, consider these factors so that your family photoshoot is fabulous.

•  Have realistic expectations. That cherubic baby cooing calmly on Pinterest? That is not your baby. Expect yours to get fussy, hungry, sleepy and poop on their regular schedule. A nap for the little one (maybe you too) before the photoshoot will make a world of difference in how they feel and their energy level. To help them bring out their smile, bring bottles, snacks, a change (or two) of clothes, and a few toys that they LOVE.

•  Coordinate your clothing. Do you remember in the 80s and 90s when everyone would dress up for a family photo … and everyone would wear the exact same outfit? Well at the time, that was what was in vogue. 

Today, however, it is trendier for everyone’s clothes to reflect each individual person and to also have all of the outfits have coordinated color pallet for a cohesive image. 

• Want classic and casual? Natural and neutral-colored dresses or shirts look good on most body types and are easy for a large group of people to coordinate. 
• Got red headed twins? Play up their ginger locks with a fall palette of brown and gold. 
• Are you including your grandpa from Ireland? Honor his heritage with lush green colors.

Making thoughtful choices of color and clothing will help you create a photoshoot and get stunning and coordinated results. 

•  Don’t bribe young children. Surprise them! Maybe wait until photo time to bring out little one’s favorite toys for them to see and hopefully they will light up with glee. Maybe even give kiddo a toy let them hold it … their smile might last longer. A surprise gift to open after the little one is losing energy steam can sometime make small children happy and cooperative again. You know the look on your child’s face at a birthday party when they open a gift? That look of wonder and excitement can be brought to the photoshoot with a little planning. 

••• With a little planning and preparation, shooting your family’s portrait will be an enjoyable experience that will treasured by your family for generations to come.