An Outdoor family session: 5 tips to prepare.

Outdoor sessions are a beautiful way to create some natural, timeless photographs of your family. The pictures will look spontaneous and they will capture the true essence of your family. I love to shoot during the golden hours, very early in the morning (just when the sun starts to rise) or during the evening (when the sun is gently going down and the light becomes soft).  I think it is no secret that simple and spontaneous photographs require good strategic planning so here a few tips to get ready for an outdoor session: 

Timing:

The first and most important part is to be on time. Weather can be always a bit unpredictable and sometimes we will just need to wait for that ray of sun to break through the clouds. We want to make sure we are not missing it. Time is also essential for kids. We can plan the session around their nap time to make sure they will be fresh and ready to have a nice walk outside with you. I will not ask you to do anything more than be yourself, have fun with your kids, show love for each other and, most importantly forget about the lady with the camera that is following you. 

Location:

The second tip is to choose the location and I will be more than happy to do that for you. Despite living in a city there are many beautiful places where to take photographs. One of my favorite spots is a park close by to my studio, a short 5-minute walk away. This can be very convenient if we need to change. The park offers a variety of places and it changes so much during the seasons. I always scout the locations prior to our shoot and I am always happy to find new and exciting places for our sessions. 

Styling:

The third important thing is to create an outfit that suits the location. We will plan accordingly with the season, making sure that clothing will have the same tones and colours that complement the outdoor location.  I will help you with your decisions, guiding you to the best choices, and making sure you will still feel like you. I usually bring along a few items that can help to create a story. Perhaps a blanket to sit on, pillows or a baby Moses basket. Toys in particular can help to entertain your little one(s). 

Don’t over-prepare:

When shooting with young children, sometimes too many recommendations and instructions on how to act can create the opposite desired effect. Just explain that they will go for a nice, fun walk with mummy and daddy. We want to avoid them being unnatural and feeling under pressure. Don’t be worried that they might misbehave, children never do. They simply respond to situations in their own personal way.

Enjoy:

Finally, and this is really key - enjoy yourself! Forget about the photoshoot or the “best side”. I will be there making sure I will catch the best of you. The true you. From time to time I will give you some gentle suggestions on what to do in a spontaneous and easy way. Don’t think about how photogenic you are, just enjoy the moment. We are creating beautiful memories after all.