5 Tips to Make Family Photos Stress Free

And all the mamas said Amen! ;)

We've had the sessions, believe me!  I've done/said some things I'm not proud of.  I'm not sure if it's just because the kids are getting older {less dependent on Adam and me, more flexible with dinner schedules, etc.} or if it's because I'm more experienced.  Either way, here are a few tips we use when planning your annual family photoshoot...

   

1. Schedule your session during the best time for your kids | if your kids are crying because it's in the middle of nap time, it isn't going to matter if the lighting is exactly what you liked on the Pinterest photo you saved.  Morning light is also beautiful and many kids are up early anyways.

2. Prep what you can ahead of time | don't wait until the night before to try on clothes or the morning of to paint nails -- those things can {& should} be done ahead of time. 

3. Fuel & be comfortable | Make sure everyone is fed and hydrated.  I don't know about you, but I know my kids {& I} get irritated and grouchy when we're hangry, so just take the 20 minutes before you get ready to get something in your tummy.  And for the love, do not put your family in uncomfortable clothes, they will look as uncomfortable as they feel.  Ideally you'll be able to find outfits that coordinate just enough from your closets.

4.  Plan the location ahead of time | know where you're going and look at the location {in the same light!} ahead of time.  If you want outdoor photos have  a backup plan {or date}, but I can't advocate enough for taking family photos in/around your home.  It's fun to look back and see how we decorated previously, or even past homes if you've moved.  

5. Stay calm | Easier said when you aren't in the moment, but kids {& spouses!} pick up on moods.  If you're stressed and snippy, they will be too!  Photos aren't meant to be perfect {at least I don't think so}.  That just isn't real life.  You daughter has hot pink, non coordinating nails -- she loved them!  Your son insists on keeping his temporary tattoo on -- whatever!  You didn't get your husbands hair cut last week -- it's going to be okay!  You've just captured your real life.  Someday you're going to look back and the bruise on your baby's cheek will make you smile and remember how she rode her riding toy down the stairs to the garage.  And nothing is better than a toothless grin or an awkward smile!

Bonus tips...
Mamas -- keep your expectations real.  Set them, then lower them, and then call that good.
Dudes -- If you hate photos as much as my husband, have a beer when you're getting ready and thank your wife for planning them.  Someday you'll be glad she made you do it. ;)

The point of family photos is to take an image of what you aren't.  It's to capture your real life to look back and smile on in 10, 20, 50 years.  Laugh.  Have fun.  Print the outtakes!  

Kiss your life.
Accept it, just as it is.
Today, now.
So that those
moments of happiness
you're waiting for
don't pass you by.
-Unknown

*Photocredit - Teri Swenson Photography {my sweet friend from Des Moines, IA}

My 5 Biggest Time Savers...

The following are all mentioned in terms of parenting, because that's where I use them most, but they could all be applied to 'non-parent' lives as well...

Now that school is in session and we're all getting into routines again, I thought I would share five places in our everyday life where I save myself a few minutes...

Fold Laundry While Watching TV | I can't tell you the last time I sat down and watched TV without folding laundry {or editing, but since most of you aren't photographers, that wouldn't apply!} I pretty much do a load of laundry each night.  It works great for us, because I pretty much only stay up long enough to fold one load of laundry after the kids go to bed, before I go to bed.  :)

Clean The Bathroom While The Kids Are Taking Baths | We bathe our kids every other night, so one {or two} nights a week I use this time to clean the bathroom.  I usually have just enough time to clean the mirror, dust, and scrub the counter, toilet, & floors before one of them is ready to get out. On the rare occasion they're playing really nice together and behaving {not wrestling in the tub, taking toys from each other, or dumping cups of water onto the floor--true story!} I'll also use the time to tidy our room {which is connected to the bathroom}.  Also, now that they're a little older I use the other bath night {or two} to put clothes away or unpack bags from the weekend. {again, within eyesight of the bathtub}.  And I'm always listening for it to get quiet--quiet is rarely good in our house! :)

Book Appointments In The Car | Utilize car time!  I use Bluetooth {speaker} in the car to book appointments and reorder prescriptions while stuck in traffic {or at stoplights}.  With a family of four {plus a dog on several medications} we're constantly at appointments {eye, medical, dental, vet, specialists, etc.} and filling prescriptions.  Bonus for me, Adam drives 99% of the time when we're together, so I use that time to respond to emails and make phone calls.

Listen To Books While Working Out | I talked about this one here, but it had to make this list.  I would probably read 5 books a year if it weren't for listening to books on my kindle.  I listen to books while running {bonus::makes the time go by 462864286 times faster!} and also while I'm driving to and from work and photosessions {the kids aren't in the car}.  Also listen to books while editing client photos, but again that won't apply to most of you.  Because of this, I've read over 80 since January.  Best.invention.ever!

Prep The Kids Clothes For The Week | This one is so easy and is such a time saver for us!  Sunday night, when I would normally lay Monday's clothes out for the kids, I grab clothes for the whole week. Takes me like 5 minutes longer, but saves me at least 20 minutes a week.  I happen to have an old locker room wire basket that fits the weeks clothes just perfectly.  I was forgetting to lay clothes out some days and letting the kids {Jordyn} pick out their outfits each morning is a battle I don't have the energy to fight takes forever.  Doing this all on Sunday saves me {Adam} about 5 minutes each morning {& 5 extra minutes in the morning is a big deal!}.  *One suggestion is to have the weather forecast ready {especially this time of the year} or to have a bonus {warmer/cooler} outfit in the basket for the days the weather changes.


>>What advice do you guys have for making the weeks go by smoother?