​You’ve been preparing for months!  You booked a portrait session, you planned the outfits for your entire family, you had your portrait session and now you are super excited about seeing your images!  Now what?  What is your plan for those images?

If you’re like many people, you know it’s time for updated pictures of you and your family.  You don’t want to miss those milestones and you value portraits – you love having professional images taken that wow you every time you look at them.  But in this modern age, what do you do with the images?  
Many people hire a photographer and just want digitals.  But why?  So they can sit in a drawer or a safe on a USB?  What’s the point of that?  The purpose of an image is to view it – to look at it and remember, to feel, to enjoy.  

When I was a child, we had so many picture albums!  My siblings and I used to sit together, looking through them, asking our parents about people in the pictures, listening to the stories of those people, or the stories of us.  Those pictures opened the door for those stories.  How many of you are giving your own children that experience?

In the days of film, there was only one way to see your pictures: you printed them.  And once printed, they needed to be stored.  Hence, the album.  But folks, it’s not too late!  And albums have come a long way!  Albums are but one of the many ways of seeing your images.

My favorite way to view images is by making them into wall art.  I LOVE providing my clients with beautifully matted, framed images of their families.  I love knowing that they will see that image every time they walk into the room.  As your children grow older, you will see them as they were in that moment.  And you’ll have memories.  And you’ll share those memories as they occur.  

“You see that picture, Sarah?  You used to love it when Daddy and I would swing you by the arms!  You used to laugh so hard and we couldn’t get you put your feet down…”  “Do you see that picture, Justin? You used to run so hard into my arms that it would knock the wind out of my chest!  I can’t believe you are bigger than me now…”  Yes, memories.  

​Frame your memories.  Store them in plain sight.  Enjoy them again, and again, and again…

You want gorgeous images on your wall.  You want to look up and see the people you love – smiling, laughing… that moment captured.  So you call your photographer and schedule a portrait session.  And then you start worrying that things may not go well… after all, little Jimmy is a handful and you’re not sure he’s going to listen when you try to get him to smile.  And you know how Chelsea gets when she’s hungry…  And you wonder if you’ll have that portrait you’ve envisioned.

​The good news is that there are things you can do to ensure everything goes smoothly!  Here are the five things that you can do to help:

1. Choose at time for the portrait session that doesn’t conflict with naps or meal times.  Your photographer will appreciate this and will totally be willing to work around those times.  Make sure all children (and adults!) are rested and fed.  And don’t be afraid to bring snacks to the session – just make sure they aren’t too messy (leave the chocolate at home).
2. Let your photographer do the work.  Stay out of the way.  Yes, you’re the parent and you’re the one responsible for raising your child.  But this is not the time to battle it out with the kids.  Let your photographer have time to connect and build rapport with your children.  You would be surprised what a photographer can capture when given the freedom to take charge!  And don’t worry, your photographer will let you know if they need your assistance.  In the meantime, step aside and watch… you may notice things about your own children that you had not noticed before. 
3. Try not to bribe the kids. Yes, sometimes it works, but more often it makes them focus on the treat, instead of the moment. The worst is when little Johnny is now whining for the treat for the rest of the session. 
4. Plan your outfits and your day.  Take time to get your hair just right and take time to relax and feel good before the session.  Have the outfits for your whole family ready and planned out in advance.  Coordinate the colors and patterns. You don’t want too many patterns and you DO want everyone to be on the same color pallet.   There are numerous posts on this topic and I suggest perusing Pinterest for ideas.  The day of the session is NOT the time to try to figure out what everyone is going to wear.  You’re looking to put a beautiful image of your family on your wall… it will last for generations.  It is worthwhile to put some effort into the planning.
5. Have fun!  Seriously – don’t worry or stress about it.  Children will feel your stress and anxiety.  Talk up the portrait session – get the kids excited and ready for this “family outing.” Relax.  Go to your session in good spirits. Laugh, play, have FUN!  I can’t say it enough.  The best images are the ones that are the most genuine.  You want to capture the love, so be sure to show all of the love your family shares and let your photographer do the rest.