Oh the places you’ll (i will) go
Living north of Boston has so many perks especially for us humans who work in the great outdoors. I visited so many amazing new spots this year that clients recommended, this spot being one of the best. Ocean views, lots of space to move, and a Boston skyline. Win, win, win. When booking and planning a photoshoot I always have a phone conversation about not only location but wardrobe. So let me guide you through my top three recommendations for achieving a gorgeous family look that will be both timeless and cohesive.
Rule number one, for every family session- is Mama or Dada, dress yourself first.
You want to be comfortable and you want to feel your absolute- best as I am assuming these photos are going to be on your wall for a while. So pick a color you like, pick an outfit you feel amazing in, and we can build from there. I love movement in portraits, so having an outfit that will flow with the wind will add that little extra magic into a portrait. I always recommend working with a color palate. You don’t need to be a family of matching shirts and pants for your photos to be cohesive. When you settle on a color you feel great in, it’s easy to then match your family to what you want to wear. If you know me at all or have followed my work, you know I love color. I would never expect or recommend a whole assortment of beige and white outfits in fear of completely washing everyone out. Having little pops of color here and there to bring out the color in your location will just add to the portraits beauty and cohesiveness. That being said, there is a fine line between yay gorgeous color and holy shit this is a lot of color. Neons are tough and can bring out some odd undertones in your skin. There is a term that us photographers toss around called color casting. Certain colors on certain skin tones will make you look that color. For example, I have olive skin, so if you put me in any sort of green, I will absolutely look freaking green. It is rare that I can wear any color green without looking ill- which man I have tried as emerald green makes my heart happy. This is why we meet ahead, and how having some guidance can level up your portrait session.
Rule number two: Let your kids be kids!!
Seriously. I know. You are paying money to get these family moments cherished. I get it. I have two kids and your damn right I want them to not act like complete lunatics. But they’re also 6 and 3, and who are we kidding… they’re pretty nuts. This goes across the board from newborn sessions to any event where children are present. Kids will act like kids. We will have highs, we will have lows, and we will just roll with it. Which is why picking a location that is familiar to your family or has space for your children to move around is so so important. Kids need space to move around and get the sillies out. They need a space where if they feel like pitching a fit, it will be totally fine. I expect your children to act like children. Nothing phases me, i’ve seen it all and I will continue to see it all. In my sessions we move around and play games and say silly things and just try to relax. My son has a very fake smile. Almost a grimace. I have to work hard to get that big belly laugh out of him and be as ridiculous as possible to get him going- but when I do, those big natural smiles are just the best. I want to see those big cheeses. I want to see them running to a parent for comfort or reassurance. I want each portrait to capture movement and connection and love. Those are the photos that I love best. Those are the portraits on my wall.
Rule number three: Be in the Moment.
I know this kind of goes without saying, but taking a nice big breath before your session and being ready to roll with it will just make everything slightly easier. I do my absolute best to move fluidly with my family sessions, never stalling out in one spot for too long. We try, if it works- great. If it doesn’t, that’s great too. We move along. Timing-wise I love a good evening shoot to get that warm glow, but also with small kids I never start too close to sunset to give us some cushion for meltdowns. I am so aware of how special this is for families and how much pressure you will feel to have it all come together pefectly. But I am here to remind you that nothing is perfect. Even the things that seem perfect- are not perfect. But we will capture love, and your gorgeous little people as they are in that moment.
Isn’t that sort of special too?
xo AM
