Preparing for a large photo session.

You're thinking about booking a large family or friend photo session. You've asked your family and friends if it's something they'd want to do. You're excited about the idea and everyone's on board. Now what?

You've booked flights, you've made plans for where everyone's staying, now you need to make plans for documenting the smiling faces of all of your family.

-OR-

Maybe you've got a few great friends that you're so close to that you want one big photo session all together!

Whether it be a large extended family session, or a multi-family session, there is a lot of preparation and communication that needs to happen to succeed. Thankfully, you've got this blog post. So let's get to it! Here are 5 tips for preparing for your large photo session.

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Tip #1- Keep your participants informed on your large photo session details.

Why is this so important? It may seem like a simple statement. Sometimes as humans we don't think to communicate the obvious to each other. But that can be a huge downfall, because without communication there is no organization. Have one person be in communication with me and then they can be the one ensure everyone knows that the plan is. While it is important to have a main communicator, it is equally important for the success of your photos that each person is responsible for knowing the time, location and plans for outfits. Without everyone's cooperation you risk the session going smoothly.

Tip #2- Manage your expectations.

IT CAN'T BE PERFECT. We plan for the weather, we plan the location, we plan outfits and attitudes. BUT. We can't account for human errors, babies having their own agenda, Oregon weather and locations not going as planned. People have bad days, babies get tired, it rains in Oregon, and sometimes locations close early or are over populated. We can only do what we can do, so don't over expect. Go into your session with an open mind and with flexibility.

"Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.."– Dorothy Parker

Tip #3- Brainstorm together.

Have a conversation with all the participants about poses and a shot list of which people you want photographed in individual photos. Include the kids in this, let them have an input on what is a fun pose that they would like to do. Let them choose if they want a photo with Auntie or with their best friend. Talk about location together, outfits together. The idea here is to work out the details of the session together as family/ friends. That way everyone feels included and excited about getting photos done together.

Tip #4- Read my Welcome Guide for family sessions.

When you book a photo session, I send you a Welcome Guide. It will have so many tips and things that will help you to get your session done right! I highly recommend you look deeply into the section on your outfits. With so many people in your large session it's so important to look into your outfits and how they coordinate. Read the whole welcome guide and share it with every participant so you know what to expect. Preparation is key.

Tip #5- Communicate with your photographer.

Keep me in the loop on any special things your family needs. Any people with behavioral issues? Any babies with sensitivities? People who have time restraints or who have plans right after? Are there ones who are traveling from a long distance? Let me know all of these things ahead of time so that I can be aware and adjust accordingly.

Now you have the best tools to succeed!

So what did we learn?

1. Keep everyone informed

2. Manage your expectations

3. Come up with ideas as a group

4. Read my Welcome Guide

5. Keep me in the loop

Try not to be too overwhelmed. A large family session can be a lot of details and organizing. But with the right steps, flexibility and cooperation you can make it a beautiful, fun and successful day! Let's do this.

YOU GOT THIS!

"By chance we met, by choice we became friends." -Millie

"Home is where you are loved the most, and act the worst." -Marjorie Pay Hinkley