I was recently interviewed by sleep and wellness coach Allison Egidi, the host of How Long Till Bedtime, about how to take the stress out of family photos.

Allison’s podcast tackles important topics around health and wellness for parents and kids, and given that fall photos are a popular but often stressful event for families, we wanted to dig into why that is and how we can release some of the pressure for a healthier, more enjoyable experience.

Listen to the episode!

In the conversation we address topics like :

— how to choose outfits that coordinate but still allow for little personalities to shine
— how to choose the location, season and time of day for your session (hint- your photographer can help!)
— why your home is a great location for family photos
— tips for including your pets in your photos
— how to achieve candid-looking images
— tips for approaching a session with kids who are nervous, shy, or are stuck in fake-smiling
— the importance of working with your partner to choose the right photographer and agree on the value of the session
— the pros of a full session vs mini sessions

The biggest takeaway

A lot of the fear we carry about being photographed and how we’re “supposed” to look in photos comes from societal conditioning that has nothing to do with who you and your people are deep down.

So when we can reset on the true WHY of family photos – beyond sharing in holiday cards and on social media – we come to the heart of your family culture, the love you transfer and receive, a reflection of joy and struggle and connection and time together.

In letting the pressure go and embracing the joy of your family, you’ll get that smiling card photo and so much more.

There are some really simple ways we can work to take the stress out of family photos – most of it comes down to trusting your photographer and allowing yourself relax!

After shooting with families for over 10 years, I’ve seen just about everything and I know how to handle it – weather issues, kid meltdowns, wardrobe malfunctions, grumpy dads, location constraints – yes all of it.

At the end of the day, it’s always about the people – I see goodness, silliness, warmth, and love in everyone and am on a mission to make sure the future versions of you and your family can see it, too.

I hope you’ll take a listen and find some extra freedom going into your next family photos!

You might also like:

What’s the big deal about fall family photos?

How to feel confident for your family photos

Activity ideas to include in your family session at home