Planning your family’s photos in San Diego this Fall.
There is something about September that makes everyone realize the year is moving a little faster than they thought.
Summer is winding down (or at least it should be!), school is starting, the holidays suddenly don't seem so far away, and somewhere along the way you realize…
"We really need updated family photos."
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Fall is one of my busiest times of the year for family photography in San Diego, and for good reason. The weather is beautiful, the light is gorgeous, and it is the perfect time to update those family photos before the holiday season arrives.
But if the thought of getting everyone ready for family photos already has you stressed, take a breath.
It doesn't have to be complicated.
When should you book your family photos?
If you want your photographs for holiday cards, gifts, or simply to have them before the end of the year, September and October are great months to schedule your session.
Fall dates tend to fill quickly, especially evenings and weekends, so I always recommend booking sooner rather than later.
And if you're considering one of my Fall Mini Sessions, those dates are limited even more because they are scheduled back-to-back.
If you need more flexibility, more time, or want to choose a specific date and location, a regular family session is usually the better option.
What should you wear?
This is probably the question I get asked most.
My biggest piece of advice is: don't try to make everyone match.
Instead, coordinate.
Choose a color palette that works together and then let everyone's clothing be a little different. Different textures, shades and layers usually create a much more natural-looking photograph than everyone wearing the exact same color.
And please make sure everyone is comfortable.
If your child hates the outfit, that is probably not going to magically change because we brought a camera.
For beach sessions, don't be afraid to keep things casual. Bare feet, simple clothing and movement work beautifully at the beach.
And yes, watch those tan lines! If you are planning a beach session, especially with the kids wearing shorter sleeves or going barefoot, think ahead about bathing suit and sandal tan lines.
Don't worry about your kids behaving
This one is important.
Your kids do not have to sit still and smile at the camera for an hour.
Actually, I don't want them to.
My style of family photography involves a lot of movement. We walk, run, play, snuggle, explore and interact.
I'll give you direction when I need to, but I'm also watching for the little moments that happen naturally.
So if your toddler is not interested in sitting down, that's okay.
If your son wants to run, we'll probably run.
If your daughter needs a few minutes to warm up, we'll give her those few minutes.
You don't need to spend the entire week before your session telling your children, "You HAVE to behave for the pictures."
Please don't.
It just makes everyone more nervous.
Give yourself extra time
One of the easiest ways to make family photos stressful is to arrive stressed.
Give yourself enough time to get dressed, find shoes, feed the kids, use the bathroom, locate the missing stuffed animal and get everyone into the car.
You know… the normal family chaos.
I'd much rather have you arrive a few minutes early and have everyone relax before we start than have you running from the car saying, "I'm so sorry we're late!"
We're not starting a race.
What should you bring?
You really don't need much.
Depending on your location and the ages of your children, you might want:
Water
Mess-free snacks for younger kids
A hairbrush
A small comfort item for toddlers
Extra clothes for little ones, just in case
Anything sentimental you'd like to incorporate
For beach sessions, towels and a change of clothes can be helpful if your children are likely to end up in the water.
And if they do?
That's okay too.
Some of my favorite beach photographs happen when kids stop worrying about staying clean.
Fall Mini Session or Regular Family Session?
Both are great options, but they are designed for different experiences.
My Fall Mini Sessions are short and simple. They are perfect if you want a handful of updated family photographs without spending a lot of time at a session.
A regular family session gives us more room to breathe.
We can explore a location, allow the kids time to warm up, photograph different combinations of your family and capture more of the little moments in between.
Neither is better.
It really depends on what you're looking for.
And most importantly… don't wait for perfect
Your children don't need to be perfectly behaved.
You don't need to lose five pounds first.
You don't need everyone to have the perfect haircut.
You don't need matching outfits.
And you definitely don't need to have a "perfect" family.
You just need to show up with the people you love.
Because the point of family photography isn't to prove that your family is perfect.
It's to remember exactly who you were at this moment in time.
And this version of your family only exists once.
If you're thinking about scheduling family photos in San Diego this fall, I'd love to photograph you.