Hard to believe that it’s already time to start thinking about family photo shoots! I was reminded of this after seeing Christmas decorations already out in many of the stores when I was trying to find a bathing suit! How is that possible? I’m hunting for a bathing suit, and the store is decked out with Christmas gear? I know it’s kinda late for a bathing suit, but in Texas, you can still be swimming in October sometimes…

The stores had not started playing Christmas music yet, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. And by time, I mean a few days (maybe weeks)! Guess it’s time to start thinking about where and when to take my own family’s photos…

Family photos are often stressful for people for many different reasons. One of the main reasons is what to wear. If you’re not sure, read about it in my blog post called What Should I Wear to my Family Photo Session. If you can pick out your outfit first – something comfortable and cute, then the rest will fall right into place.

There are other things that also seem to stress people out as well, and the one that I notice the most is having their children running around all crazy, picking up sticks, throwing leaves into the air, etc…before and during the photo shoot.

They worry about someone getting hurt, or someone getting dirty, and many people worry about what I will think (the photographer) about their parenting if they can’t control their children. I enjoy chasing kiddos around with my zoom lens – letting kids roam free gives me the opportunity to capture them playing with sticks and leaves, and playing hide and seek with their parents. Some of my favorite family photos I’ve taken have happened during our “unposed” time, when we’re taking a “break” and getting some of our energy out!

And I have a confession…I’m a photographer who can’t even control my own children at a photo shoot! Something about photo sessions often brings out the crazy in kiddos (mine for sure). That’s why all good photographers carry a very fast lens and keep lots of tricks up their sleeves so they can capture or freeze the constant motion of little ones (in my case – a couple of teenagers)! I always enjoy the challenge, and it’s an opportunity to capture lots of really cute candid shots when kids show their natural, unposed smiles.

Don’t let the fear of an energetic child get in the way of scheduling a photo session, and certainly don’t stress about what everyone is going to wear. Like I always say – it’s better to have a bad (or mediocre) photo than no photo at all. If your clothes don’t match, then consider a black and white photo.

It really is that simple. Just relax and try to have some fun. You’ll be glad you took the pictures, even if you don’t love your outfits! It’s hard to believe it’s time to start scheduling photo sessions for holiday cards and holiday gifts already, but it is. Let me know how I can help. If you’re interested in getting some updated pictures of your family, you can visit my family photo shoot information page for details.

Until next time…