Lifestyle photography can be daunting for some...

First of all, it can be an investment...I know that currently, I'm one of the least expensive photographers in my area as you consider my style of photography, but it's still a hefty investment for some...and that can get some people feeling rather nervous...

It's not like a $7.99 print from Sears of your kiddos in an enclosed room where you're just hoping to get a good shot to throw into a frame for grandma...

There's the worry of whether the kids will behave, will the location be nice, will the weather cooperate, what if I don't like my makeup or my clothes, what if not everyone smiles at the camera...and the list of worries continues...

let's just stop right there...

We need to adjust some expectations and "definitions",  if you will...

Lifestyle Photography isn't about getting "perfect" shots...it's about getting REAL images...

I had a conversation with a family 2 nights ago when I asked them to PLAY with their little girls...I asked them, "do you ever play ring around the rosey?" It turns out that they do...a lot...

I guaranteed them that when the girls turned 16 they were NOT going to "play" that anymore...this is a MOMENT in time...every individual is UNIQUE...every child has a PHASE (and it feels like it's a different phase every 3 days) But the point is that when you begin to see this type of photography for what it is (and what it is not) it helps to be able to appreciate the uniqueness of each session....

Now, I also know that no matter how many definitions or "adjusted expectations" I put out there..."MOM fears" are just THERE...

So, let me try to give some practical tips that you can apply on top of learning to "SEE" in a new way...

1. Choose clothing carefully | I've recently started working on my pinterest boards in order to help families have ideas for not only what to wear but what to expect...Please feel free to follow me there and check out the "What to Wear" boards...and also the "Families" board so that you get an idea of the types of moments that I'm looking for, as a photographer.

2. Make sure that everyone is well rested and well fed | If you need to bring snacks, do it...it doesn't do anyone good and relationships don't magically appear when kiddos are tired and husbands are starving! Once my fall schedule is actually verified for my own daughters' sports & activities, a first come, first serve posting will go out...you'll have at least 2 weeks to be able to plan and be ready for an upcoming session.

3. Leave time to get ready | I'm the WORST at time management...I just am...I'm a spontaneous, fly by the seat of my pants gal...and my husband knows it...and yet my entire family is NOT like that...so, for times when I get my own family photo session, I've learned to allow time for everyone to get ready...to allow my teenage daughters to feel pretty and make time to do their hair the way they feel best.

4. Ask everyone to be CHEERFUL participants | Listen, I GET it... I get the "faces" from everyone when I whip out my camera for yet MORE pictures!  However, I also know how much these pictures will mean to everyone later...maybe not today or tomorrow, but definitely 5 years from now...and years and years from now when my girlies are looking through scrapbooks...those moments captured will mean the world to them...so for the NOW, if I need to bribe them, if I need to make some loving promises to my spouse...so be it!



((and for MY part, as the photographer...I promise to be CHEERFUL and to make it a FUN experience for everyone...to the best of my ability))

5. Be natural |  This is hard...it's hard because we are nervous that it "won't look right" and it's an "investment" and all those worries I mentioned above come back to haunt you...Bear with me here though...Pinterest has made it nearly impossible to be "natural" with every pose known to man pinned to boards...but, the purpose of my light posing is just to "get the ball rolling"...so just go with it...because  #6

6. Not everyone has to be looking & smiling (leave that for the studio) | I know in a perfect world perhaps we'd all like christmas cards like the kardashians...(or maybe not...but, anyway) My girls have not always liked the camera...there were many years where their smiles were awkward and their eyes squinty...years where my youngest thought something scary was going to shoot her through the lens and refused to look at the camera at all...but ya know what...THAT'S OKAY IN MY BOOK!  Because refer to previously in this post:
Lifestyle Photography isn't about getting "perfect" shots...it's about getting REAL images...

7. Have AUTHENTIC FUN with your family...don't force it | I've had families bring soccer balls because that's their THING...If you've got a thing, then let's capture that...but, don't force throwing a toddler into the air or putting them on your shoulders when they are scared and it takes them out of their comfort zone...even if pinterest swears by it!  This is YOUR family...it's capturing YOU and the personalities of YOUR kids...Let your session be exclusive and incomparable...

Every person is uniquely made, unmatched and extraordinary!!!  Let those differences shine! Get out of the "cheese" mindset and love the LIFE you are creating with your family!!

I'm beyond thrilled that I get to watch and even be in a tiny part of the story that is unfolding!