How to Prep for a Seamless Shoot

Family shoots are all about having fun! But they’re also about coming away with photos that feel like they materialised straight from your imagination.

A key element to ensure this result is prepping your shot list. I will, of course, guide and facilitate your shoot, but having a shot list that is tailored to reflect and capture all the unique and special relationships of your family will ensure the end photos capture YOUR beautiful relationships!

1. Who do you want there?

The first decision to make is who you want at your shoot. Will it be an intimate, immediate family shoot just with you, your partner and your kids? Or will you include granny and grandpa and maybe the family dog? Establishing the people that will be there is your first step.

2. What types of shots do you envision?

Next, it’s time to piece together the specific groupings for your shots. Do you want every photo to have everyone in it? Or would you like an array of groupings? I generally recommend an array, as it allows each relationship within your family to bloom in front of the camera. Some examples may be:

Dad + Mom
Dad + children
Mom + children
All children
Dad + boys
Mom + girls
Dad + girls
Mom + boys
Everyone

3. Communicate on the day and let the shoot flow…

As wonderful as it is to have a plan, life often throws curve balls, and this may require some readjusting - which is often not a bad thing. On the day, it will help you enjoy every moment if you can embrace things straying away from the original plan. Maybe big group shots are just looking FANTASTIC and dynamics are bubbling - if this is the case, then I may spend more time catching these moments and a little less capturing individual portraits.