How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

Your guide for how to prepare for a family photo session that is relaxed, fun, and a totally unforced experience—even if your kids are bananas and you haven’t showered yet this week.

Maybe you’ve already booked one (yay!), or maybe you’re in the “open 37 tabs and take deep breaths” phase of Googling how to prepare. Either way, you’re in the right place.

Let’s be real: family photos can sound like a lot. What do we wear? How do we get the kids to cooperate? What if someone has a meltdown? (Including me?)

Good news—you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a little preparation, the right mindset, and a photographer who knows how to roll with the beautiful chaos of family life.

This guide for how to prepare for a family photo session will walk you through what actually matters. Not the Pinterest-perfect version, but the version where your kids are a little wild, your shirt gets a little wrinkled, and somehow it all turns out better than you imagined.

1. What to Expect from a Family Photo Session

Here’s the first big secret about how to prepare for a family photo session: it’s not actually about the photos.

Wait—what?

I mean, yes, you’ll end up with beautiful images at the end. But the magic? That happens during the session. When you let go of trying to control the outcome and just focus on the experience with your people, everything shifts.

This is a process, not a performance.

Most family photo sessions last somewhere between 45 and 90 minutes. They usually take place somewhere you and your family can relax—your home, a favorite park, a beach, or even a family farm. Wherever it is, the goal is to create an environment where presence comes easily.

Every photographer works a little differently, but many modern family sessions lean into beautiful light, genuine interaction, and storytelling over stiff poses. You might spend the session playing, exploring, snuggling, or chasing kids through tall grass. You’re not there to “nail the shot”—you’re there to connect, and let someone else notice the beauty in it.

A good photographer will guide you gently while making space for those real, unscripted moments. You don’t need a script. You don’t need to force anything. Just be present with your family, and trust that the rest will follow.

Example: When I photograph families at my farm in Lincoln, MA, the session often feels more like a playdate than a photo shoot. Kids climb on tractors. Parents breathe a little deeper. Sometimes alpacas steal the show. But every time, the moments that matter most are the ones we couldn’t have planned if we tried.

2. What to Wear for Family Photos (and What Not to Stress About)

If you started looking at outfits and ended up in the corner of your closet in the fetal position breathing into a paper bag… you’re not alone. Styling your whole family can feel like a lot. But let me reassure you: it doesn’t have to be.

You don’t need to buy anything new (unless you’re looking for a good shopping excuse—I won’t stop you). You don’t need to match like you’re headed to a denim-themed family reunion. And you definitely don’t need to stress over every detail.

The goal isn’t to impress the internet. It’s to feel like yourselves—and to be able to move, play, and cuddle comfortably while looking great in the light you’ve got.

Here is a quick breakdown of my take on this. If you’d like a more detailed overview click here!

What actually works:

👚👕 Coordinated > Matching: Aim for outfits that belong in the same story, not the same uniform. Choose a color palette you like (earthy tones, neutrals, soft colors) and mix it up with texture and layering.
And while we’re here: please—I’m begging you—don’t do the classic white-shirts-and-jeans look. I promise there are better ways to say “we’re a family” than dressing like a Gap ad from 2003.

🚧 Skip distractions: Big logos, neon colors, bold patterns, and text-heavy shirts pull attention away from what actually matters—your faces, connection, and body language.

🏃‍♂️ Choose movement-friendly fabrics: Soft fabrics, loose layers, flowy dresses, rolled sleeves, cozy knits… anything that moves with you tends to photograph beautifully.

🥰 Comfort matters: If it’s itchy, stiff, or requires constant adjusting, it’s not worth it. (And your toddler will let you know immediately.)

👟 Shoes: choose for comfort, not for style: If you’re miserable in heels or stiff dress shoes, it’s going to affect the whole session. Go barefoot, wear boots, or slip into comfy sandals—whatever fits the setting and lets you relax.

3. How to Prepare Your Kids for a Family Photo Session (Without Stress or Bribes)

Let’s be honest: kids are the wild cards of any family session. One minute they’re giggling and picking flowers, the next they’re lying face-down in the dirt because someone peeled their banana wrong. It’s fine. That’s childhood—and that’s golden for photos.

The goal isn’t to get your kids to perform. It’s to help them feel comfortable enough to be themselves. (Yes, even if “themselves” means full goblin mode for part of the session.)

Here’s what helps:

🥳 Set the tone. Talk about the photo session like it’s going to be a fun family adventure—not something they have to “behave” for.

⚡️ Manage energy levels. Well-fed and rested kids are usually happier participants. But if nap time goes sideways or your toddler insists on a snack every 11 minutes, don’t stress. We’ll roll with it.

🧸 Bring comfort items. A favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or book can be a great way to ease nerves and even work its way into a sweet candid moment.

👧 Let them lead. Whether your kid is shy, silly, hyper, or super cuddly, any experienced family photographer will know how to follow their cues and work with whatever energy they bring that day.

And if there’s a meltdown? Totally normal. A good photographer won’t panic, pressure, or push. They’ll pivot, play, and find the moments that matter anyway. Sometimes the best photos come after the big feelings.

4. How to Prepare Yourself for a Family Photo Session (Emotionally, Mentally, and Logistically)

You’ve picked the date, chosen outfits, and you’re trying to make sure everyone else is ready… but don’t forget you in all this.

Preparing yourself for a family photo session isn’t just about confidence in front of the camera. It’s about setting the tone for the day, creating space to be present, and staying grounded even if (okay, when) the unexpected happens.

📸 Visualize the experience—not just the photos. Take a moment to picture how you want the session to feel. Not the perfect poses or magazine-worthy outfits, but the energy you want to bring: playful, connected, calm, joyful. Let that be your anchor.

✅ Do a confidence check-in. Think about how you feel when you’re being photographed. If you’re nervous, self-conscious, or worried about how you’ll look, that’s completely normal—and it helps to name it. A great photographer will care about how you feel, not just how you look. Share any insecurities ahead of time so they can support you and photograph you in ways that feel flattering and honest.

🧘‍♀️ Pick a grounding mantra. Something like “This is for them,” or “Connection over perfection,” or even just “Be here now” can help you come back to what matters if you start spiraling about flyaways or double chins mid-session.

⏰ Create a buffer. Try not to over-schedule the day. Give yourself time to get ready without rushing, wrangle the kids without panic, and show up feeling (relatively) grounded.

🎒 Prep the night before. Lay out clothes, pack snacks, wipes, diapers, medication, passport (jk)…just have what you need packed so you’re not scrambling around or realizing you forgot a critical stuffy on your way there.

🌡️ Be the thermostat. Your energy sets the tone. Staying calm, even in chaos, helps your kids (and your photos) more than anything else. A “smooth” session doesn’t mean everyone behaves perfectly. It means rolling with what comes, trusting your photographer to adapt, and staying present through the beautiful mess of real life.

🙂 Give yourself permission to enjoy it. You’ve done the work. Now let it go. You don’t have to manage every detail during the session—you just have to be there. Your connection with your family is what matters most, and any photographer worth hiring will know exactly how to work with that.

This is your story, your season, your people. You deserve to be in it—not just plan it.

5. What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

Good news: you don’t need to pack like you’re heading out on a weeklong camping trip. But a little preparation goes a long way in helping your session feel calm, flexible, and enjoyable—especially if you’re wrangling small humans.

Here’s what to toss in your bag:

✅ Snacks + water. Even if everyone just ate. Especially if everyone just ate.

✅ Wipes or tissues. For faces, hands, mystery goo, and the occasional meltdown.

✅ A change of clothes for babies, toddlers, or anyone who’s drawn to puddles like a moth to flame.

✅ A favorite comfort item. A well-loved stuffed animal, blanket, or book can help kids feel at ease and sometimes makes a sweet appearance in the photos.

✅ Anything meaningful. An heirloom quilt, a hand-knit sweater, a family book—if it tells part of your story, bring it.

And what you can leave behind:

🚫 Your phone. Unless you have a really good reason to keep it on you, leave it in the car or tucked out of reach. Not only do phones create visible bulges in pockets (and no one wants an iPhone outline on their hip), but getting notifications mid-session can yank you right out of the moment. I’ve even had parents try to snap photos over my shoulder—which is honestly distracting, unnecessary, and takes away from your ability to fully experience the moment with your family.

🚫 Pressure to perform. Nobody has to “behave” or smile on command.

🚫 Perfectionism. Dirt happens. Hair gets wild. Real is better than perfect, every time.

🚫 A rigid plan. The more open you are to going with the flow, the more joy and connection show up in your photos.

6. The Tao of Family Sessions: Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Flow

At some point, it’s going to go “off script.” Someone will trip. Someone will cry. Someone will start singing the Paw Patrol theme at full volume. And honestly? That’s where the good stuff lives.

There’s a concept in Taoist philosophy called wu wei—it means effortless action, or going with the natural flow of things. That mindset is the secret ingredient to a great family photo session.

When you stop trying to control the outcome and just let the experience unfold, that’s when the magic shows up.

A few reminders from the Tao of family photos:

☯️ You don’t need to force a moment to make it meaningful. Candid, spontaneous images often hold more emotion than anything you could stage.

☯️ Lean into the “beautiful chaos.” Windblown hair, dirty knees, unplanned hugs, a kid sprinting into frame—these are not distractions. These are the moments.

☯️ Presence over perfection. When you let go of the image in your head and just focus on being there with your family, the camera will catch what really matters.

☯️ A good photographer will adapt to anything. Tantrums, snack breaks, unexpected rain, wild animal cameos (true story)—the best sessions work with what shows up, not against it.

And here’s a truth I’ve learned from years of experience: the more parents get agitated and try to force or coax something out of their kids, the harder it becomes—for the kids and for the photographer. Once things tip into “let’s just get one good shot,” it’s tough to recover that natural, connected energy.

So whatever helps you stay calm—deep breathing, a grounding mantra, prayer, and/or a splash of Bailey’s in your morning coffee—use it. Your presence sets the tone, and your calm helps everything flow.

The session doesn’t need to go perfectly. It just needs to go honestly.

7. After the Session: What Happens Next?

You made it through the chaos (maybe with only minimal snack bribes and grass stains), and now you’re wondering: What happens after the session?

The answer? It depends on your photographer—but there are a few common things to expect, and it’s okay to ask these questions before you book so you know what you’re getting into.

Common post-session steps include:

🎞️ Image curation and editing. Your photographer will usually sort through all the images, select the best ones, and edit them to match their signature style. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on their workload.

🖼️ Gallery delivery. Most photographers deliver your final images through an online gallery where you can view, download, and sometimes order prints or albums. Some also include a slideshow to make the experience feel more special (and emotional—just a warning).

🖨️ Options for prints or products. Some photographers include print credits or offer heirloom albums, framed prints, or other products through a professional lab. Others focus strictly on digital delivery. Ask about this up front if it’s important to you!

⏰ Time limits and ordering windows. Be sure to check how long your gallery will remain online. Some are only available for a few weeks, while others offer extended access.

Example: After sessions at my farm, I send families a curated slideshow set to music. Then they choose a package with a mix of digital files and print credit, and their gallery stays open for 30 days so they can take their time choosing favorites. The whole process is designed to be easy and low-pressure—because after all that prep, you deserve a little ease.

8. Questions to Ask a Photographer (Before or After You Book)

Whether you’re still shopping around or you’ve already booked someone for your session, asking a few thoughtful questions can make a big difference in how confident and prepared you feel.

These aren’t just about logistics—they’re about making sure the experience feels right for your family.

Style & Approach

• How would you describe your photography style—posed, candid, lifestyle, documentary?
• How do you approach sessions with high-energy, shy, or neurodivergent kids?
• Do you guide us during the session or let things unfold naturally?

Planning & Logistics

• How would you describe your photography style—posed, candid, lifestyle, documentary?
• How do you approach sessions with high-energy, shy, or neurodivergent kids?
• Do you guide us during the session or let things unfold naturally?

Post-Session & Products

• How many images will we receive, and how will they be delivered?
• How long will it take to receive the final gallery?
• Are printed products (albums, framed prints, etc.) available?
• Is there a minimum purchase, or are packages optional?

Experience & Philosophy

• What do you love most about photographing families?
• What kinds of moments do you try to capture?
• How do you help families feel relaxed and comfortable?

You don’t have to ask every single question—but picking a few that matter most to you can go a long way in choosing the right fit (or feeling more confident about the photographer you’ve already hired).

And bonus: a good photographer will welcome these questions and be happy to walk you through the answers.

Final Thoughts

Family photo sessions aren’t about getting everyone to sit still and smile at the same time. They’re about pausing time for a moment—this messy, beautiful, chaotic moment you’re living through—and letting yourself be in it.

You don’t have to do everything “right.” You just have to show up with your people, open to the possibility that even the imperfect moments might turn out to be the most meaningful.

Whether you’re booking your first session or just gathering ideas for next time, I hope this guide helped you feel more prepared—and a little more excited.

If you’re looking for a session that feels relaxed, fun, and deeply connected (and maybe involves a tractor or an alpaca), I’d love to chat.

Curious if we’re a good fit? Book a discovery call or learn more about sessions here.