Are you getting ready to take your family's photos yourself? Professional photographers are great if you want one (speaking as a classically trained and educated photographer). But there are lots of valid reasons why you might not want or be able to hire a a photographer. It also means once you nail these steps that you can take your family's photos again and again until it becomes almost second nature.
First, you are going to need to plan ahead. Like a lot of planning, especially the first time around. You're the photographer, so you'll need to figure out the location, the date, the props...well, all the fun stuff.
But before we go any further, I suggest investing in two life saving pieces of equipment for any photographer:
A Tripod: You could try to perch your camera or phone on a random flat(ish) surface. Or even improvise with a book, but just make your life easier and less stressful and get the friggin' tripod.
A Remote Trigger: It's just a remote that will take the picture without you actually pressing the button. One part attaches to your camera and the other part you hold to press as the trigger. Of course, you can also use the timer option on your camera, but if you're in the shot assume the kids will move before you get back to the camera to hit the button again (and again).
And as for the planning, I put together My Ultimate DIY Photoshoot Cheatsheet just for this!
Let me walk you through the good stuff inside—this isn’t just any ordinary PDF. We’re talking 7 pages of gold to help you rock your own family photoshoot like a pro. Whether you’re using your phone or a fancy DSLR, this cheatsheet will make sure you get beautiful, frame-worthy shots of your fam—without the stress (or at least minimal stress).
What’s Inside the Cheatsheet?
- Prep List: Because the last thing you want is a camera with no charge or kids in rainbow polkadot leggings!
- Camera & Lighting Basics: No tech talk—just easy tips for getting the best shot, no matter your gear.
- Tools & Prop List: Some tools you might not have that I think are good investments. Other simple props you might already have lying around the living room.
- Shoot Day Schedule: Just a list of stuff you might want to do to keep your shoot day running smoothly—without turning it into a marathon.
- Shot List: Don’t forget to capture all the moments, the list includes the poses you might want, and some candid ideas to try.
- Prompt Ideas & Pro Tips: Fun ways to get natural smiles and giggles (no more stiff “say cheese” moments).
Ready to Grab Your Cheatsheet?
Go snag it here, and I’ll send the cheatsheet straight to your inbox. It’s a simple way to make sure your next family photoshoot is as stress-free as possible, and leaves you with gorgeous pics.
Happy shooting!
