How to Have the Best Shoot!

Hot Tip 1 :: RELAX

I totally understand that having your photo taken can be stressful, or cause some anxiety. Please don’t be afraid to share how you feel with me, and allow me to walk you through the process.

The best thing that you can do if you are shooting with your partner is to tell him or her all the reasons why you love them, or why they make an amazing parent, or why she is the most beautiful pregnant woman ever. Pour the sugar on! It’s not only good for the ego, it’s also good for your relationship (you can thank me later).

If you are shooting solo, just remember that I’m here for you, and that I’m also a mom. I get it. I get the cellulite, veiny boobs, swollen ankles, and I still sometimes pee my pants. You’re in a safe place with me, my friend!

Hot Tip 2 :: RELEASE CONTROL

Everybody and every baby is allowed to have a bad day once in a while. If your little one woke up on the wrong side of the bed on the morning of your shoot, don’t worry! Little ones are extremely sensitive to the energy that their parents are feeling. If you’re feeling nervous, they’ll feel anxious. If you’re feeling chill and happy, they’ll feel chill and happy! Easy!

The same goes for parents of wild toddlers or crazy 5 year olds. Don’t try to control them, bribe them, or constantly tell them to smile. I promise you that your command to SAY CHEESE will make your kids grouchy, or fake. Either way, it’s not what we’re doing here. Instead, please just allow me to connect with your kids when we first get together. We will play for a little while, and I promise to catch lots of smiles. Genuine smiles!

Hot Tip 3 :: REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE DOING THIS

It doesn’t have to be perfect. Family life is messy, hilarious, tear-filled, hysterical-laughing, poop-covered, and the best hardest thing ever. Just let your family members be the beautiful weirdos that you love, and let yourself be fully present with your loved ones. When you look back on these photos in 20 years, it won’t matter that your toddler refused to wear anything other than her Elsa dress. What you will remember is her precocious spirit, her laughter, and the way her little arms felt around your neck when she hugged you.

We are doing this for the memories, to document love and new beginnings. We are doing this to show your children’s children where they came from. We are doing this because nothing is more important than family.