You've signed up for your family session, before the day arrives here are several things you are going to want to do.

Preparing for your session can seem tedious but I promise if you do these things ahead of time your stress level of getting one dressed and out the door day of the session will be way lower.

The first thing, when planning haircuts/color and not just yours do it at least two weeks prior to your session. It gives your hair time to relax into the style you have chosen and if you've updated your look also gives you time to figure out how you like to style it best. Have boys? Its inevitable at some point you will end up with a haircut that is too short or needs fixed, I speak from first hand experience and you don't want to be dealing with that the day before or even the day of. 

I love a good manicure but I am also notorious for going way too long between appointments and my nails will look rough. If you want a manicure do it the day before and if that isn't your thing think about trimming, removing old polish and doing the same for your kids. 

While you are checking out the kids hands take a moment to look at their arms, are there leftover tattoos from Halloween or just a random Saturday of fun? Grab an oil based makeup remover and work on getting those off their little arms.

Try your clothes on at least one week ahead of time, I would even say two if you are picky like I am. Make sure dresses fit, buttons can snap, bra straps are hidden and you have the undergarments that will make you feel your best during your session!

With that check your kids shoe collection, has anyone hit a growth spurt lately? Are the dress shoes you were planing on using too small? Gone missing? Dealing with that a week before hand is way less stressful than trying to figure it out as you are walking out the door. 

Iron all those shirts/dresses/etc, removing wrinkles is not included in my standard editing process as they are very time consuming and hard to get correct. I outsource them at $25/image. 

Ok so you've done all the above, everyone is dressed and feeling their best. You are getting out of the car and the last thing I want you to do is a face check, everyone in your family is to pick someone to look over someone else. Lipstick on teeth? Food crumbles on babies face? Now is the time to grab a wipe or tissue and get those cleaned up.  

We've moved into shooting and your littles are feeling super shy or are more interested in the grasses swaying or bugs flying around than what I am doing with the camera. You are going to take a super big deep breath and ENGAGE with them on whatever they are wanting to look at. Authenticity is huge, they want to show you the dandelion they plucked for you awesome, kneel down and let their little hands show you. I promise those in-between moments will be far more cherished than the one of everyone standing there smiling at the camera, which we will of course still try and do. 

Trust in me I've go you on this, I have been doing this professionally for over 10 years and have been behind a camera in some sort of fashion for over 25 years. #ivegotyou