Yay! I'm so excited to work with you! Family photos are one of the most treasured possessions you'll ever have and I want to make your experience as relaxed and stress-free as possible. This guide contains my best tips on what to wear and how to prepare to help us make the most of our time together.
Determine a location.
If we haven't already, we'll discuss options for location and what will work best for your family.
Assemble your wardrobe.
Determine the color palette and style you want and start shopping in store and online or from your closet or mine. I'm here to help with all of this!
Plan ahead.
The more you prepare BEFORE the day of your session, the happier you'll be the day OF your session. (See my best tips below!)
Roll with it.
We can't predict the behavior of our family or the weather. Whatever the day brings, embrace it. I love to capture beauty amidst chaos.
I love to tie location into the story I'm capturing for you. Not only is it the backdrop for the memories I'm documenting, it can affect the mood of your photos as well. Do you prefer to feel relaxed in a place that's familiar to you or do you enjoy the excitement of discovering some place new? Are you up for an adventure or do you prefer a location that's easily accessible? We'll work together to determine a location perfect for you!
It's important that your photos are a reflection of YOU. Of course, I know firsthand that it can be overwhelming to style your entire family head-to-toe. If you're feeling stuck or need some inspiration, here are some tips and examples to get you started.
I hope this is helpful in getting you started! I'm here to provide feedback on any ideas you pull together. And please know these aren’t rules, they are just guidelines to consider. Don't overthink it. When in doubt, go with what feels natural, timeless and comfortable.
Pulling together outfits for your whole family can feel overwhelming as there are so many choices of where to shop and the cost can quickly add up. I completely believe that you can style your family by selecting pieces from a range of places - department stores to boutique shops, as well as your closet and mine! Ready to start your online shopping? Here are some of the stores and brands I recommend to clients:
More planning = less stress. Here are some things I've learned from being on both sides of the camera.
This advice took me the longest to follow myself as a parent. We do so much to prepare for a family photo session, but at the end of the day, kids are unpredictable and can be overwhelmed by the whole experience, especially if a parent is showing signs of stress as well. So whatever happens, just keep calm and go with the flow; laugh if there is chaos, comfort if there is insecurity. I've experienced it all (on both sides of the camera) and the best thing to do is embrace it.
My family sessions are child led, meaning I will never force a child to do something they don't want to do. If I suggest a game to play or a place to stand and a child is refusing to cooperate, please don't force them to do so. We'll just move on to something else. :)
I love kids and I love engaging with kids and I probably give kids more attention than I give adults. (Don’t be offended.) Or if you have a super shy kid I will give you all the attention until your child warms up to me. Don’t expect your child to just show up and smile for the camera. This is a new situation for a lot of them. I will lead kids, follow kids, make them laugh and do whatever it takes to capture their true spirit.
I'm here to answer ANY questions you have about your session. Email me at jillneilphotography@gmail.com or text 310-529-2724. (If you'd like to chat on the phone, I'm happy to schedule a call Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm.)
I seriously can't wait to create beautiful images of your family!