Tips for A Successful Family Photography Session in the Time of Covid
The past two years have presented so many challenges for all of us in so many ways. Family and newborn photographers have had to come up with creative strategies for how we offer our services that allow our businesses to thrive, while also providing clients what they want in a safe and enjoyable way. This means that we have to educate our clients on everything from safety to ways to help young kids engage and have fun during a session. The reason I mention this is that we have an entire generation of toddlers who have lived in isolation during times of quarantine and, in many cases, have not really interacted with many people beyond their family “bubble.” So, bringing them into an environment with a stranger that they have never met before and then expecting them to behave normally or look at the lady holding the big black camera who is also wearing a mask, might be, well, challenging to say the least!
So, in order to combat the potential anxiety of this situation, I have some helpful tips for parents in preparing their kids for their family photo session. My Family Welcome Guide is where I present it all! I send this to my clients more than once and encourage them to review it repeatedly! I truly believe it is a game changer for helping families with toddlers have a successful session day.
Preparing for Your Session Begins At Home
As you prepare, describe your family photo session day as a fun and special occasion to go out on an adventure, watch the sunset, look for animals, and play, not as a time to "sit still and say cheese at the camera."
How to Keep Session Day Relaxing
Family photos are often in a new environment, little ones are meeting someone new (new), and it is often during a time close to bedtime. All that being said, keep your time before your session calm, low-key, and relaxing. Have a good supper and little snacks throughout the day, too. Full tummies help!
Take a mental note of things to play together, sing together, bring a special book to read, or a favorite toy. And, let's be real, sometimes a little bribery candy in your pocket is always a good thing!
SNACKS AND TREATS: Bring along snacks that can be easily eaten and that are not messy! Cheerios and puffs are perfect. For older kids, fruit snacks and cheerios are good too! Please avoid goldfish and granola bars because they can be gummy and messy. Avoid chocolate altogether! Tic Tacs and Smarties are good bribery treats for kiddos 4 and up!
PARTNER WITH ME FOR SUCCESS
Work together with me to create moments that allow for both joy and quiet moments. I will give you a prompt and then you create the magic. Dance, cuddle and swing with joy, but think about slowly run your fingers through your toddler's curls, rubbing your kiddos back, holding them close, and loving on them.
FOR BABIES: You can stand behind me and get baby to look up into the lens, but most importantly, relax. Most babies do not want to look into a camera lens, but looking into your face brings them the greatest joy! That is the genuine emotion we will preserve. If baby needs to nurse or have a bottle, by all means do so. These are wonderful intimate moments to capture as well.
A "MAJOR AWARD": (If you can name that movie, you will get a special treat, too!) As part of your photo session time, let kids know that they will receive a special treat or activity afterward as as a reward!
