Preparing for your On location ShooT
Making the Most of Your Session
Family sessions are all about connection, laughter and genuine moments. Here are a few tips to help everyone relax and ensure we capture photographs you'll treasure for years to come.
Every Child is Different
Every child is unique. Some might be a bit shy and take time to warm up, while others might be full of energy right from the start. However your child shows up is perfectly okay!
Relax and Enjoy the Moment
I’ve found that sessions are most successful when parents allow me to guide their children with prompts and directions. Your role is to interact naturally with your kids rather than trying to control their behavior. This approach helps children feel happier and more relaxed, resulting in genuine smiles and expressions that you'll love in the final images.
Trust the Process
The most important thing you can do in these moments is to take a deep breath and trust me to capture the beauty in your family’s interactions. Letting go of the need for perfection and embracing the spontaneous, authentic moments will make for the most memorable and heartfelt photos.
Look at Your Children, Not the Camera
Yes, I mean truly look at them. Take in every detail like the first time your baby was placed in your arms. Hug them, kiss them, and focus on how much you love them, even if they’re not fully cooperating. Keep smiling, even during the imperfect moments.
When parents genuinely engage with their children, the resulting smiles are the most natural, relaxed, and beautiful. Not everyone needs to be looking at the camera at the same time when interacting. The goal isn’t posed perfection but capturing authentic interactions and moments with your loved ones.
The most common question is “what do I wear?”
While every family is unique, here are some general guidelines to help you look your best:
Avoid Logos and Bold Patterns:
Large logos, graphics and bold patterns, such as wide stripes, zigzags or busy prints, can distract from what matters most ....... your family's faces and connection.
Simple, timeless clothing allows the focus to remain on you rather than your outfits. This doesn't mean you can't wear patterns. Smaller, subtle prints and textured fabrics photograph beautifully and add interest without overwhelming the image.
Coordinate Your Outfits
Focus on matching as a family.
Rather than everyone wearing exactly the same outfit, choose colours that complement each other. Different shades of the same colour or a palette of 3–4 coordinating colours work beautifully together. This creates a cohesive look while still allowing everyone's individual style to shine through.
Light or Dark Tones
Focus on balance and contrast.
Once you've chosen your colour palette, try to keep everyone in either lighter or darker tones. For example, if most of the family is wearing darker colours and one person is dressed in bright white, that person will naturally draw more attention in the photographs. Keeping your outfits balanced helps ensure the focus stays on your family's faces and connection rather than on one particular outfit.
Plan Ahead:
Lay out everyone's outfits a few days before your session to see how they look together. This gives you time to make any changes if needed and helps avoid last-minute stress on the day. Taking a quick photo of the outfits laid out side by side can also make it easier to spot if any colours or styles don't quite work together.
Ideas and Personalising your Experience
We always encourage clients to share their ideas, whether it's a specific shot they want to recreate or any inspiration for their session. Feel free to browse Expose Photography’s Facebook or Instagram page and screenshot any photos you love. This helps establish the style and theme you envision for your family shoot.
We strive to personalise your experience by getting to know you and your family better through a phone conversation. We can incorporate activities you enjoy together, capture simple moments like eskimo kisses with your children, or have your children bring their favorite toy to the shoot.
Additionally, we can choose meaningful locations, incorporate special family heirlooms, or even involve your pets to truly reflect your family's unique story.
What About the Weather?
We’re in Wales, so we know the weather doesn’t always go according to plan! As outdoor photography relies on the weather, we’ll keep a close eye on the forecast in the days leading up to your session.
Don’t let a few clouds put you off.
Overcast days can create beautiful, soft and flattering light, and a little bit of wind or drizzle doesn’t necessarily mean we need to cancel. Some of our favourite photographs have been captured in less-than-perfect weather. However, if the forecast is showing heavy rain or conditions that aren’t suitable for your session, we’ll rearrange it for another day. There is no additional charge for rescheduling due to the weather as it’s completely outside of our control.
Dress for the weather.
Layers are always a good idea, particularly during the cooler months. Bring coats and jackets that can easily be added or removed between photographs, and choose comfortable footwear suitable for the location. For children, we recommend bringing an extra layer and a change of clothes, especially if we’re heading somewhere muddy or near water.
What if it starts raining during the session?
If we get caught by a light shower, we may be able to continue, find some shelter or wait for it to pass. But if the weather becomes unsuitable, we’ll stop and arrange another date.
Our priority is that you have a relaxed, enjoyable experience and photographs you love, so there’s never any pressure to continue in weather that isn’t suitable.
Before your session, your photographer will give you a quick call to chat through the final details, answer any last-minute questions, and make sure you're feeling relaxed and ready for your family photos.
We Can't Wait to Meet You!
Thank you for taking the time to read through your preparation guide.
A little planning goes a long way in helping us create beautiful, natural photographs that you'll treasure for years to come.
Most importantly, come ready to relax, have fun, and enjoy spending time together. The best photographs are created when you're simply being yourselves.
We can't wait to capture your family's story.