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LOVE STORIES

Do NOT make these 5 misstakes before Your family session

You show up to Your family session, 20min late. The kids are fighting in the backseat,
the baby is half asleep and crying his head off. You hate this outfit, WHY oh WHY did You
put this stupid dress on? Dad is grumpy, maybe even grumpier than the kids at this point.
Your makeup is running down your face, the stress is just increasing by the minute and
You are definitely ready to blow! You see Your photographer and whisper to the kids under
Your breath: everyone SAY CHEESE TO THE CAMERA or mom is going to loose it!!!

SOUNDS FAMILIAR? YEP, I’VE BEEN THERE AND I AM SURE YOU HAVE AS WELL.

Having Your family portraits taken can be SO stressful. BUT don’t sweat,
because it doesn’t have to be. I am going to share my best tips to a smooth,
relaxed and stress free family session this year.

#digitalHighFive

Orange County family photographer Madeleine JL Photography

ONE

DO NOT start digging around your closets for outfits the day before Your session.

If you have a favorite dress in mind, try it on to make sure the size is still good.
The same goes for the kiddos, maybe Your oldest grew two inches this summer and
all of a sudden the cool jeans You had in mind are too small. woops!

Start thinking about outfits for Your photographs the moment You book
Your family portrait session, or maybe even before that! Pick moms outfit
first and go from there. If moms happy – everyone’s happy 🙂 Give Yourself a
couple of options: Maxi dress looks freakin HOT on any body type so that’s
always a good place to start. Solid color, lace, pattern? There are SO many
fun options. Then build from there.

By being well prepared You’ll make sure everyone is comfortable and
happy in the right size clothes and shoes and  You’ll all feel beautiful as a group.
Pulling together a cohesive look for all of You doesn’t have to cost much, if any
at all. Maybe invest in that gorgeous FreePeople dress You’ve been eying for the
last 4 months while Your husbands gets to feel comfy in his favorite jeans and the
sweater You got him for the Holidays last year.

For more info on how to pick outfits visit my ‘what to wear Guide

TWO

DO NOT let Your little napper fall asleep 5 minutes before pulling into the parking lot at Your session.

This is setting yourself up for failure. I know it, You know it, we ALL know it.
For this ONE day work hard to prep everyone, especially Your little nuggets,
for a fun and relaxing experience. A HUGE step to making this happen is to move
nap and bedtimes around a bit. Remember its only ONE day,
but Your photos will be lifelong family keepsakes. Pushing bedtime back an hour is going to be SOOO worth it.

Have Your kiddos arrive well fed and well rested. Maybe have some
goldfish crackers or raisins in the car on the way over so we dont have
any rumbling tummies.

Orange County family photographer Madeleine JL Photography

THREE

DO NOT show up 20min late.

I geeet it. TRUST ME. I have 4 kids for goodness sake! Most days are doomed
for us to run late. For your own sanity. And your photographers
(hey, that light only stays magic for SO long!). Plan to arrive to Your family
session 15 minutes early. Even if You show up 5 minutes early it will give
You some time to touch up Your makeup and hair, change diapers or visit
the restroom (make sure to check with Your photographer if the location
has bathrooms if this is a MUST have for your family). You can all take a
breather, re-group and walk into Your family session free of stress.

Leave Yourself plenty of time to get everyone ready for Your shoot and out that door 🙂

FOUR

DO NOT get upset, yell or tell Your kiddos where to look or what to do.

Having a bunch of people telling You what to do, how to smile, where to sit
and how to breath can get really frustrating and confusing. Especially for little ears.
Let Your photographer be in charge. You go ahead and put on Your best
smile and relax. Enjoy this special time with Your family and breath it in.
We want to capture the connection You have as a family. Not a non-existing
connection between You and some random camera.

Does Your wild one love when dad picks him up and throws him in the air?
Then thats what we’ll do! Don’t worry about everyone sitting all lined up like statues with
cheesy-smiles plastered on their beautiful faces. What we want is
genuine smiles, and yeah this includes YOU mom and dad 🙂
We won’t get it by You telling the kids NO, STOP, DON’T, LOOK, SIT!

And whatever You do. Promise me to never ever tell Your kids to say CHEESE. Cheese is for crackers. 

Orange County family photographer Madeleine JL Photography

FIVE

DO NOT stare into the camera.

The best photographs are often the ones where everyone is connecting
or interacting with each other. Every picture doesn’t have to have everyone
looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.  If you are engaged
as a family and loving on each other, your eyes will be on your family
members and your smile with be natural.  These are the photographs that
you will cherish most because they showcase your family connection.

Dad: Don’t look into the camera Mom: Don’t look into the camera.
Kids: Be kids, not robots. Unique, magical, beautiful.

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I sure hope these 5 steps have helped get You all prepped to FINALLY have an awesome, fun and relaxed family session. Just be Yourself, love on your family and let Your photographer capture all the unscripted magic..

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Madeleine JL Photography
Orange County Family Photographer
Foothill Ranch, CA
madeleineJLphoto@gmail.com

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