Planning a Family Photoshoot without all the Stress

Hey there, busy families! So, you've decided it's time for a professional family photoshoot (hopefully in Paris, if you know what’s good for you) – cue the excitement! 

But let's face it, the logistics can sometimes feel overwhelming. From coordinating schedules to choosing the perfect outfits, it's easy to get bogged down in the details. 

I have years of experience as a photographer and I’ve encountered every possible version of family preparation before a photoshoot (or lack thereof) and I’m very familiar with all the questions that usually come up before the big day. 

Sometimes our clients are totally zen going into a photo session and don’t need any guidance from us, and sometimes we have clients that contact us in a state of panic. 

“What should I wear to my Paris Photo Shoot? Where will we meet you on the day of the shoot? I’m not sure if my young kids will even be able to last for a 45 minute long shoot, what should I do? Should I wear makeup or not? I have a red dress and a blue dress, which is better? How can we make sure everything goes smoothly? What if it rains? I’m not photogenic, help!” 

These are just a few of the questions we receive ALL the time. And honestly, we love reassuring people before a portrait session and then watching as they slowly relax and begin to have fun as everything unfolds just the way it should. It’s just so satisfying to see clients have a great experience during their family session. 

But I understand the stress, believe me. Especially if you have a big family and it feels like herding cats on a daily basis. 

So I've got some tips to help you plan a stress-free family photoshoot in Paris that you'll cherish for years to come. Hopefully this can help ease some of your worry and give you a starting point if you’re prepping for a travel photoshoot with the fam. 

1. Set Your Expectations

Before you even start making a list of every thing you have to figure out and all the things that could possibly go wrong…let’s take a minute to look at the photoshoot from a bird’s eye view. 

There’s a saying I LOVE that goes something like “If you stress too much about something before it happens, you basically put yourself through it twice.” 

I think about this in situations like catching a flight or worrying about a tight layover window. If you spend your whole flight worrying about that quick layover, then you will have lost valuable time that you could have spent listening to music, reading a book, socializing with your neighbor, or enjoying the window view. 

The thing is, worrying won’t fix the issue and it won’t ensure you don’t miss your flight. All you can do in that situation is just be prepared to hurry to your next gate once you de-board the plane. That’s it! So save yourself twice the stress. Worst case scenario you miss the next flight. If that happens, you’ll have to deal with the problem anyway. So there’s no reason to try to solve the problem in advance. 

This is how I look at photo shoots, too. Most of it will come down to the actual photo session itself. You can’t change the weather and you can’t always predict your kids’ moods and behavior. You can’t even predict exactly how YOU will feel on the morning of the shoot. You’ll just have to wait and see how things turn out, and that’s part of the fun. 

That being said, there ARE things you CAN control: So I’d recommend taking note of what you can work on in advance of the shoot, like communicating with your family, planning your outfits, envisioning the end result, and most of all, just listening to your intuition. 

We are more than happy to provide tips on outfit choices and photo locations (and you should leave all the posing, directions, and angles to us, too), and that means YOU get the fun job of making requests if you want to showcase your family’s personality in a certain way. 

Head over to our blog post: What to Wear for a Paris Photo Shoot

Okay, now that we’ve released some unnecessary, preliminary stress, and now that we know what IS in our control, let’s talk about some actionable next steps. 

2.  Start Early

First things first, give yourself plenty of time to plan. Start by selecting a date for your photoshoot that works for the whole family. Consider factors like work schedules, school holidays, and any upcoming events. 

If you’re traveling, I strongly recommend giving yourself a couple of days to adjust to the new time zone before having your shoot. You’ll feel refreshed and well rested if you do this, which will make your photos look better. I know it’s not always possible to do this, especially if you’re only visiting a city for a day or two before leaving. It’s not the end of the world. But if you have a choice, give yourself and your family that extra time to adjust. 

Once you've nailed down a date, mark it on your calendar and start brainstorming ideas for locations and outfits.

Don't forget to take time of day into account when booking a shoot. Often in the morning is when everyone will be more fresh! I wouldn’t recommend having a day of sight seeing and THEN doing a photo shoot as you might show up and be super exhausted!

3. Choose the Right Photographer

Finding the right family portrait photographers can make all the difference in ensuring a successful photoshoot. Do your research and browse portfolios to find a photographer whose style aligns with your vision. Reach out to potential candidates and ask plenty of questions to ensure they're a good fit for your family. 

At Katie Donnelly Photography, we are a boutique photo studio in Paris, we believe in celebrating and enjoying your every day exception photo shoot experiences and memorializing these moments in museum-quality printed artwork that you can hang on your walls. What's the point of spending all this time prepping for portraits if they're just going to end up as a forgotten instagram post? We are the most photographed generations, yet the ones with the least printed artwork. I promise your kid's childhood will not be lost on a hard-drive (or a lost iphone).

We do family portraits, couples portraits, solo shoots, engagement sessions, and even maternity photos. Honestly, we just love to photograph people. Our passion is highlighting the joy of being together with family or friends or exploring the beautiful city of Paris. We do posed shots and we do natural, candid shots. We love lush green parks and urban street photography. We love iconic locations and intimate settings. We just love it all. 

We also provide smaller digital files for any photos you select. We offer prints, albums, or framed wall art. You get to choose!

So think about what you want for today, and for 10 years down the road, how do you want to be able to look back on these moments? Is it a printed portrait (or collection) to hang in your house? Is it a single headshot for the family archive?

Take all of this into account when you’re looking for a photographer. Every studio is a little different, so make sure that their style aligns with yours. This will save frustration if you book a photoshoot, only to discover after the fact, that you won’t end up with what you want. 

Once you've found the perfect match, don’t hesitate to book them well in advance to secure your spot.

4. Coordinate Outfits

Ah, the age-old question – what to wear? Coordinating family photo outfits for everyone can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. 

Start by choosing a color palette or theme that reflects your family’s personality. Think complementary colors and textures that will look cohesive without being too matchy-matchy. 

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed right off the bat. Just think of it as an art project or a form of creative expression. What clothing do you feel the most confident in? What kind of energy and style do your kids have? Do you want to go for something subtle and classy or more of a bold look? Feel free to browse our website portfolio for ideas from previous photoshoots! As you’ll soon discover, there is a big range of looks. So that means you’re not limited and you can just have fun. 

Whenever I’m looking for outfit inspiration or style ideas, I go to Pinterest. It’s such a great platform for collecting ideas and vibes in one place. You can create a Pinterest board (or several) to organize different themes that interest you. And believe me, you will find EVERYTHING you could possibly think of…and more. Pinterest is truly a treasure trove of content for every possible niche in existence. 

Bonus: There’s plenty of helpful photoshoot info on Pinterest too! 

Check out our pinterest boards here: https://www.pinterest.fr/katiedonnellyphotography/

Don't forget to consider the location and time of year when selecting outfits – you don't want to be shivering in sleeveless dresses or sweating in wool sweaters!

And it never hurts to bring layers, in case the wind picks up or the weather changes. You can bring a change of clothes if you'd like, but it certainly isn't necessary. Most of our clients choose just one outfit for picture day and end up with beautiful family portraits and a memorable experience. 

We have an ultimate clothing guide that you can read HERE for specific tips and advice on picking an outfit for your photoshoot! Honestly, it’s enough information to warrant its own blog post. 

5. Prepare the Kids (and Yourself!)

Let's be real, kids can be unpredictable – especially when it comes to photoshoots. To help things run smoothly, take some time to prepare your little ones for the big day. 

Talk to them about what to expect and emphasize how much fun it will be. Start by framing the photoshoot as a fun and exciting activity rather than a chore. Let your kids know that it's a special occasion where they get to dress up, pose, and have a great time with the family.

Take some time to explain to your kids what will happen during the photoshoot. Let them know that there will be a photographer taking pictures of the family and that they'll get to strike different poses and maybe even play some games. It's a good idea to explain the process so they feel more comfortable in front of the camera. 

I think it’s really important to get your kids involved in the planning process by letting them help choose outfits or props for the photoshoot. When they have a say in what they wear or bring, they'll feel more invested in the process and excited to participate. 

Consider offering your kids a small reward or incentive for good behavior during the photoshoot. It could be something as simple as a favorite treat, like ice cream, or the promise of a fun activity afterward. This can help motivate them to cooperate and stay focused during the whole experience. 

Try to schedule the photoshoot at a time when your kids are well-rested and have plenty of energy. This means taking nap times into account if your kids are of that age. Keep the session relatively short, especially if you have young children, to prevent them from getting tired or cranky. A shorter, more focused family photo shoot is more likely to yield great results than a long, drawn-out one.

And don't forget to take care of yourself too – get plenty of rest the night before and take a few deep breaths if things start to feel overwhelming.

6. Stay Organized

Last but not least, staying organized is the best way to minimize stress on the day of the photoshoot. 

Create a checklist of everything you'll need to bring, from outfits and accessories to any props or special requests. Pack everything the night before and double-check that you have everything you need, put everything out the night before and make sure it's all clean and pressed. 

Make sure you leave enough time to get to the photo session without feeling rushed. It shouldn't be a stressful experience. It should be a fun family day with a bit of thoughtful preparation. 

And most importantly, don't forget to take a deep breath and enjoy the experience – after all, these are memories you'll cherish for a lifetime.

Those are my top tips for planning a family photoshoot without all the stress. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and capture those precious moments with the ones you love. We'll be there to capture those genuine smiles and authentic moments on camera. 

If you're looking for a family photographer, we would LOVE to welcome you to Katie Donnelly Photography during your next trip to Paris. You can book your professional portrait session HERE.