Plan Your DREAM Family Photos in 3 Easy Steps

Here are 3 easy steps to plan the family photos of your DREAMS!

Family photos are a beautiful way to capture special moments and create memories that last a lifetime. But let’s be real—planning them can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right look to finding the perfect location, there are a lot of decisions to make. The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three easy steps to help you plan your family photos with ease and confidence.

1. Determine the vibe of your family photo session ✨

Before anything else, think about the overall feel you want for your photos. Do you want them to be calm and cozy? Maybe you prefer more adventurous and fun, or perhaps you love snuggly and playful. Deciding on the vibe will help guide all your other decisions.

💡 Ask yourself:

• When does my family feel most authentic? It can help determine the right vibe for your photos if you think of the activities you enjoy doing together.
• Are we aiming for cozy, intimate moments or fun, energetic shots?
• Should the photos feel seasonal (fall leaves, spring blooms) or more neutral for year-round appeal?

Once you’ve settled on a vibe, it’ll be much easier to move on to the next step.

2. Choose the Perfect Location 📍

Your location sets the scene and plays a huge role in bringing your vision to life! Think about a setting that complements your chosen vibe.

🌿 Outdoor Locations: Perfect for natural-feeling photos that incorporate the beautiful landscape of where we live in the Pacific Northwest. Think parks, beaches, fields, river banks or woodsy trails.

🏡 At-Home Sessions: Ideal for cozy, lifestyle shots filled with personal touches. You don’t need a perfectly designed home or mansion to have a beautiful in-home session – just a bit of natural light shining through!

🏢 In-Studio Spots: Love a simple backdrop? A curated and neutral space with beautiful lighting is a perfect location to capture your beautiful family.

3. Coordinate Your Family Photo Outfits 👗👔

Outfits can make or break the final look of your photos, so it’s important to choose thoughtfully. Here’s how to keep it simple:

✔️ Start with a Color Palette: Stick to soft neutrals and earthy tones for a timeless look. Avoid bright colors and distracting patterns.

✔️ Mix, Don’t Match: Instead of identical outfits, coordinate complementary colors and textures for a more natural feel.

✔️Consider the Season: There’s a reason one of my mantras is “warm kiddos are happy kiddos.” If the temperatures are dipping cooler, be sure your littles are bundled in cozy layers so that we have a better chance at everyone smiling and being comfortable.

✔️Stay camera ready: Choose outfits that are camera ready even when moving and playing around as a family. Meaning shirts don’t ride up, diapers are covered, undergarments don’t show and you can move comfortably.

✔️Ask me about my client closet! When you book a session with me, you get free access to borrow anything from my extensive family session outfits.

Final Thoughts to Plan Your Family Photos

By following these three simple steps—choosing the vibe, selecting the location, and coordinating outfits—you’ll set yourself up for a special and successful family photo session. Need more guidance or don’t have a vision yet? I’d love to help you! Let’s create some magic together—contact me to book your session!