It’s that time of the year again, the one all mothers look forward to and dread. A time when father’s think of all the things they could be doing instead: family photoshoot time! We know that this can be incredibly stressful for a number of reasons: getting everyone in their nicest clothes, hungry and tired children, disinterested spouse, and it can be time-consuming (just to name a few). As accomplished photographers, we know a thing or two about the potential woes of family photo day. With that being said, we’ve decided to share some ideas on how to make this day an enjoyable one! Don’t laugh, it’s completely possible!
Tip #1: Choose Clothing Wisely
When it comes time to decide what everyone should be wearing in their family photos, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Weather in the Dominican Republic
Always keep the weather in mind the weather in DR. The location where you will have your photoshoot is warm and humid so you may want to avoid itchy or otherwise uncomfortable fabrics. With that in mind, stress and irritation will always lead to some sort of discomfort or sweating, which leads to more discomfort and stress, so be sure to wear fabric according to the environment. For example: Are you planning on taking photos outside in the direct sun? If yes, then choose clothing that is both flattering and light. There’s no need to suffocate whilst smiling for the camera!
Another important tip that you might want to know is that the weather is quite warm all year round. We usually advise families with younger children to book the family photoshoots in the afternoon.
If this is not an option early morning can work as well, as long as we start on time!
Backup Clothes
Backup outfits are always a good idea, especially if you have small children! Leaking diapers, sippy cup spills, a ripped seam, these are all things that happen every day. The photo shoot day will likely be the same, so consider a backup outfit, especially for the kids. In the event of a wardrobe malfunction, this will definitely reduce your stress levels!
If you want more tips on what to wear to a photoshoot in the beach, read this amazing post!
Tip #2: Eat and Sleep
It is well-known fact that tired and hungry children aren’t interested in being still for a camera, let alone smiling at the person behind it. So, why not try and schedule your photo shoot after your children’s known nap time, or feeding them a non-messy snack before the photoshoot? It is seemingly minute details that can completely change your experience.
Tip #3 Be Prepared
Like the proverbial Boy Scout, be prepared! The overworked, over exhausted Mom, running around trying to have the children dressed, diaper bag packed, and arrive on time, is so common that it’s almost a cliché. So, why not try something different and prepare in advance. If you know that your family always runs twenty minutes behind, then start getting everyone ready twenty minutes earlier than planned. Have clothes laid out ahead of time, diaper bag packed the day before, children bathed before bed that night, etc. Whatever you think you need doing by the time you are headed out the door, try to have finished before the day of the photoshoot. Doing so will reduce your stress levels and it will ensure that you haven’t forgotten anything as you run out the door.
Tip #4: Choose to Be Happy
Finally, choose to be happy. Somedays, it won’t matter how much you have prepared, how long the kids napped, or how often you checked the weather forecast for the day because unexpected things happen. If you can choose to be positive throughout the day, regardless of what happens, you will have a better day. The power of choosing to be happy and choosing to have a good time can have a remarkable impact on your overall experience (and in your photos!).
Final Thoughts
We know that a family photoshoot can be really stressful, especially for Mom. If you follow our tips, then you should be able to reduce some, if not most of the stress. They may seem like simple tips, but they can have a profound effect on your day. Perhaps the most profound being the opportunity to choose to be happy. We know it won’t fix all problems, but it will fix some! If there is anything we can do to help the photoshoot run smoother, please let us know. As professional photographers, we have seen it all, and we are always happy to help wonderful clients like you!
