Preparing for Family Sessions

Written By Niki Senf

Something I have been focusing on lately is improving my skills with people photography. Although shooting birds, bugs, and water are forever my favorite muses, there is an undeniable beauty in being able to capture people and their emotions in photographs.

Having previous experience in family photography already, I knew the basics of what to do during a shoot… or so I thought. In past photo sessions, I would go in a bit nervous and relied solely on what I felt would look good in the pictures at the time - only to freeze up during the shoot or wish I had done something slightly different in post. So what do you do? Preparation I have learned is key in having a successful turnout.

Because this was a family/maternity shoot, I wanted to do research on what specially I should be focusing on in the pictures; especially since I was new to maternity sessions. I needed to learn how I could be more assertive with posing in order to get the results I was aiming for. With the help of YouTube, I started to feel not only more confident about the impending session - I was ready and excited for it! In addition (and with the advice of the videos I watched), I found a great outdoor location that wasn’t too busy and had a lot of great spots that didn’t require much walking for her comfort.

Here’s a few of the main (and most important) takeaways I got from my research:

  • When shooting with little ones, make sure Mom and/or Dad brings a “clean” snack that won’t cause a face or outfit mess (such as crackers, chips, or granola). This will keep them energized throughout the shoot and also work double duty as a treat.

  • Get group shots first! Snacks will only get you so far.. and kids definitely don’t want to be photographed for long periods of time. Be sure to get the family shots first before the excitement runs out!

  • Try and bring someone to keep the child focused! In this case, my fiance´ was able to keep the little boy entertained and give him some additional positive reinforcement.

  • When working with an expecting mom, let her see some of the shots! This will help her feel more confident knowing she looks beautiful and radiant on camera.

  • Keep it simple! Pick a few different poses whether it be sitting, standing, or walking, and change it up just a little for each shot.A simple head turn could make all the difference!

  • Keep it FUN! Joke around with your models. Make sure you are calm and comfortable. That energy will be more palpable than you know, so make sure that you are giving off good energy!

  • Don’t try and be a perfectionist. Roll with the punches and expect a bit of chaos!


Here are the videos that I found to be incredibly helpful:
How to Pose Regular Couples for Engagement Photos

Posing Tips For Young Families Made Simple

Maternity Portrait Photography [5 Tips and Tricks for AMAZING PHOTOS]


Hopefully, my experience can help someone else even just a little :)

Good luck and Happy Shooting!

Niki Senf