Your Welcome Pack
family photoshoot
Hey!
Yay! You've booked your family photoshoot and it won‘t be long before you will have beautiful, natural images that celebrate the bond that makes your family so wonderfully unique.
Carving out the time to document your family, exactly as you are right now is one of the best things you can do and together we will create some beautiful memories that you can hang on your walls and treasure for many years to come.
As your photographer, I am here to support you in any way I can. This guide is my way of saying, “I’ve got you.” I’ve crafted it to answer your questions, calm any worries, and address your uncertainty.
I can’t wait to meet you all!
GETTING THOSE NATURAL MOMENTS
Let me start out by saying, first of all, that your shoot is going to be amazing!
99% of the time the first 10 minutes of any photoshoot can feel a little awkward until you and your family can relax into it and feel confident in front of the camera. I will help you do this!
Although my images look candid, most of them are actually achieved through some light direction from me and lots of play. I promise it will be fun and by the end of the session you'll be total pros in front of the camera.
My objective isn’t just to take pretty pictures – it’s to capture this exciting stage in your lives, exactly as it is now.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR PHOTOSHOOT
Leave some time in the day to relax - try not to do anything too excitable before your photoshoot that will make everyone tired. Especially if children are staying up later for a sunset session.
Give yourself lots of time to get to the location so you don’t feel frazzled and rushed on arrival. If you show up to your photoshoot having had to drive illegal speeds to get there, you will feel stressed and this will filter down to everyone in the family.
Give yourself the gift of a relaxed session, allow plenty of time for getting ready and forgetting things.
WHAT TO BRING
Snacks! If your children are anything like mine, then snacks are usually the little pick me up they need.
Bring with you a secret stash of snacks that are not messy or too chewy that you can give them should they need a little boost of energy.
For beach sessions we may venture into the sea at the end of the session so it is a good idea to bring towels and a change of clothes. Beach sessions usually finish at sunset so you could always bring pyjamas for smaller children to change into.
WEATHER
We are incredibly lucky to have the beautiful countryside and south coast beaches right on our doorstep. Why wouldn’t you want that as your backdrop?!
This does however mean that we are at the mercy of the great British weather. Having said that, unless the day of your photoshoot is a complete wash out, your photoshoot will go ahead.
Did you know that unless your photoshoot is at sunset, a little cloud cover is perfect for giving you some of the most flattering light in your photos.
We will make a final decision a few hours before your photoshoot as the weather can change quickly.
PLANNING YOUR PHOTOSHOOT AT HOME
We will start the session with us getting to know each other first. I will do this before I even get my camera out so that children can get used to me being in their home and being comfortable around me.
We will then go wherever the light is!
Light is the most important factor when it comes to achieving beautifully sharp and flattering images.
KEEP IT TIDY
I recommend going around the house and hiding away anything that you don’t want in your photos. This may be things like phone chargers or toiletries etc.
TOYS
This is sometimes a difficult one but consider hiding away any plastic toys that you don’t want in the background of your photos that may be distracting.
MUSIC
Having your favourite music playing before I arrive and during the photoshoot makes everyone feel more comfortable and provides a relaxed and calm environment.
WHERE WILL YOU SHOOT?
I will usually shoot in 2 or 3 rooms but this will be determined by where the light is.
Usually I will shoot in the living room, kitchen and bedrooms.
WHERE IS THE natural LIGHT?
You are welcome to send me photos of different rooms if you are worried about the natural light in your home.
HOW TO DRESS
Choosing your outfits is probably one of the most stressful but important parts of your photoshoot preparations.
Making sure that your outfits are timeless and compliment each other without being distracting, is no easy task. But I’m here to guide you on this. I’m always happy to give advice and receive photos on a WhatsApp message!
Above all the most important thing to remember is to be comfortable and be yourself! If you are uncomfortable, it is more than likely going to come through in your photos.
Styling top tips
Gravitate towards gentle colours; pastels, light colours or warm colours, or neutrals.
Clothing that is textured, sheer or flowy show up great in photos.
Start with Mum’s outfit first as this is usually the most difficult and then build everyone else around it.
Don’t mix patterns or prints.
Stick to 2-3 colours and use varying shades
Try to avoid
Clothing that is stiff, gets crumpled or needs adjusting.
Bright colours, large logos or character t shirts.
Mixing different types of pattern
For an in-depth style guide including advice of what colours go well together, make sure you take a look at my Style Guide.
LAYERS!
You may still need that extra layer in the Summer months so don’t forget to plan cardigans or light jumpers into your outfit choices too. They may stay in the bag but at least you have them if needed.
In the colder months, opt for layers to keep you warm rather than coats.
You can use cosy hats and scarves to bring colour and texture to your photographs.
KIDS WILL BE KIDS
If you walk away after reading this and only remember one thing, let it be this: have zero expectations.
Embrace what comes – the wind, the rain, the laughter, whatever unfolds. Every session is unique, and we have no set shot list to tick off on the day. It’s all about YOU and capturing your life exactly how it is on the day of your photoshoot.
We’re not here to mimic the shiny perfect families you see on your feed, we’re here to tell your unique story as it shows up on the day of the photoshoot – tears, joyous abandon, and all.
Throw your checklist out the window and know that magic will naturally unfold. When it does, I’ll be there to capture it.
AFTER THE PHOTOSHOOT
Your full gallery will be available to view within four weeks via a private, password protected web gallery.
This is where you can choose which photo package you would like to buy which ranges from five of your favourites to your full gallery.
If you would like a reminder of each of the photo packages, you can view them here...
FAQ
What is Lifestyle Photography?
A lifestyle photoshoot is all about capturing those genuine, candid moments in the comfort of your own environment, whether it's your home, or a beautiful outdoor location.
It's less about posed, formal pictures and more about the authentic, heartfelt connections and interactions that happen naturally.
The raw emotions, smiles and giggles are all real, and the word 'cheese!' isn't uttered once. There is usually little interaction with the camera (although I will give you direction as and when you need it) letting even the personalities of the most shy members of the family shine through. ✨
What if my child doesn't want to have their photo taken?
Sometimes it takes children (and grown ups!) a little time of warm up to having their photo taken.
As an experienced photographer and fellow mum, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to get a little giggle from them.
Having said that, I am a true believer that once they see the rest of the family joining in and having fun, they usually do the same out of fear of missing out!
Plus, many of the most cherished photographs are those of pure love and the natural connection between a child and those that they trust, rather than the cheesy smiley posed portraits.
What if it is raining on the day of my photoshoot?
If your photoshoot is planned to be outdoors and the photoshoot is likely to be a complete wash out, we will rearrange your session to an alternative date.
We will make a final decision a few hours before your photoshoot as the weather can change quickly.
Can my dog be in the photos too?
That is a definite yes from me! If you have a dog and they are part of the family, then absolutely we will include them in many of the photos too.
If you have young children and a dog attending the photoshoot, (as they both tend to want to do their own thing!) I cannot guarantee that I will get a photo of the whole family plus the dog.
I will absolutely try my best but you may need to decide beforehand which is the focus of the photoshoot, the children or your dog.
Can we choose the location for our photoshoot?
Absolutely! If you have a location in mind that means something to you and your family, we will certainly do our best to have your photoshoot at this location.
Depending on the time of your photoshoot, your location may require some sort of 'open shade', but I will be giving you advice on this when we book your photoshoot.
I also have a location catalogue of all my favourite places to take family photoshoots which I can send you for you to choose from if you haven't a particular place in mind already.
When is the best time for me to book?
You can book a family photoshoot at any time however I would recommend booking around 4-6 months beforehand to guarantee the time of year you would like, especially in the Summer months.
Will you guide us during the photoshoot?
Yes absolutely! I know it can feel awkward having your photo taken at first but I will be there every step of the way giving you direction and showing you where to stand or sit for the best light. Although there will be so many moments for me to capture the pure and genuine emotions between you all, I will be giving you prompts to evoke laughter and lots of cuddles!
How do I book?
I require the full session fee & signed contract in order to get a provisional date booked and secured on my calendar. Your chosen photo package can be purchased following your photoshoot once you have received your gallery.
Are you willing to travel?
Yes! Definitely! Travel fees are applied if I'm travelling more than 20 miles from the area BN14, which is charged both ways.
How long does it take to receive the final edited photos?
I totally understand the anticipation of seeing your final photos. My editing process typically takes 3-4 weeks, depending on the volume of images and the complexity of editing required.
I prioritise quality and attention to detail to deliver exceptional images that exceed your expectations.
Do I have to order prints through you?
I highly recommend ordering prints through the professional printing lab that I work with, but it isn't required. The difference in quality is huge when it comes to ordering through a professional lab, so I always love to help with prints!
I have an online ordering store right within your gallery to purchase prints or albums which I am happy to help create for you with a selection of your favourite photos.
Thank You
Thank you so much for your booking and trusting in me as your Family Photographer. I cannot wait to capture the love within your family!
If you have any questions at all between now and your photoshoot, please let me know.
contact details
amy@amyclairebarnesphotography.co.uk
07746 345242