I am no “Information” guru but over the past 6 years I have photographed MANY families & kiddos. Ive also chatted with a lot of photographers with the same experiences. You see that “Perfect” picture posted on your favorite photographers page or maybe even a friends social media. You think to yourself “I need to book a session just like that”. You set in your mind that your family is going to do just what that family or child did. Truth is, Unrealistic Expectations start set in. The thing is … that perfect photo you saw, that perfect family, isn’t perfect, no one is. You were not there at that photo session … mom could of hated her hair that day, the baby could of been crying about 10 minutes ago, and the kids may have been bribed with ice cream. lol. No one is PERFECT. Over the years social media has made us believe we only should post the most beautiful or perfect. Even us as a artist. I will be honest Im not going to show the outtakes from a session with a crying baby, or unhappy family. But I will say this. YOUR FAMILY is already perfect and unique. SO STOP COMPARING. Here’s a few TIPS on how to make your Session Expectation Free and hopefully Less Stressful:
– BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER YOU LIKE:
Book someone who’s art makes you smile … but also is your style !!!
For example if your more of traditional photo lover and the photographer your looking at doesn’t have a lot of “smile & cheese” images posted. More then likely that’s not what your gallery is going to have at the end of your session. Your probably not going to be happy and as an artist … the photographer will be discouraged because they didn’t meet your expectations, since that wasn’t there style of artistry. So pick a photographer that is your style.
– GET HELP FROM THE PROS:
Most mom’s hate getting in front of the camera. We wish we were our size before we had kids, we don’t like our hair, ect. MOM’s I’m guilty of this. GET IN FRONT of the Camera !!! Your kids are going to thank you when your not around anymore and that’s all they have left are those pictures. Second, you will thank yourself when your 80 and you can brag about how AMAZING you use to look. I’m being serious, my grandma does it all the time. lol
If you are not good at doing your hair or your kids hair …. stop stressing yourself out … make an appointment and splurge. Yes, that costs money but in the end you want to love how you look and you wont be discouraged during or after your shoot. Plus it’s great relax bonding time with your girls !!
Clothing: If your photographer has suggestions GO WITH THEM. They deal with clients daily they more then likely know how to style someone. Ask them for help !!! Or ask a friend who loves fashion. Both I’m sure will be happy to help you.
Remember, the thing is, no one can make you feel beautiful, only you can, your photographer can only do so much with your self esteem. Your photographer, your friends, your children, or spouse all think you are gorgeous and the point of your photo session is to capture the now.
– MINI SESSIONS … WHEN NOT TO BOOK ONE:
Special Occasions !!! If this is a special moment in your life, either it be the place, event, or even celebration of someone (like your kiddo turning 5). DON’T BOOK A MINI SESSION. Mini Sessions are Petite Sessions. They are suppose to give a sneak peek of
A. what Full Session could be like or a specific theme
or
B. Updated images for Spring, Summer, or Fall/Winter
More then likely the photographer has set poses, props, ect for the mini session. If its a special event or your wanting specific poses more then likely a mini session WILL NOT meet your expectations in the end.
FULL Sessions are perfect for above. Your able to get more time, your photographer can focus solely on your family and ONLY your family. Your able to describe what you expect out of the session and the creative artist can also let you know there expectations an what they offer.
– YOUR EXPECTATIONS WERE NOT MET:
Here’s the thing, photographers do there best with all there sessions, but in the end … for example … if your kiddos were not happy, they were not happy. Not every session is going to be how we expected, try to remember when you had a family session with your parents? <—- your giggling about it now lol. These days, sessions are so much more fun. Kids can laugh in each others faces, run around … that’s the type of photography that we can find NOW (which is amazing). TRY to embrace the moments the person you hired captured vs the disappointment of a un-perfect picture. More then likely, 4 years from now you are going to be in tears over that silly face, or even crying face of your child because they are sooooooo much bigger now.This also applies to the top paragraph. If you wanted that traditional portrait and you booked a photographer with a Lifestyle Portrait style you WILL NOT be Happy when you receive the final product. Pick an artist that really suits what you are looking for.
– LAST FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Remember how amazing you are. More then likely you are full time photographer and a full time mom at home. Its November and your on the computer editing smiles to about midnight. BREATH. You are not going to be “Everyone’s” photographer. Try to remember the handful of happy clients and dont let the unhappy ruin your creative spirit. It can be hard I KNOW. But you try your best to deliver as much art as you can. Even Monet’s Art work wasn’t appreciated until after he was dead (so in a world of instant gratification) be happy with those who LOVE your work now. Right ?!? lol. Also remember you can’t fit everyone in … lean on your peers in your town. There are enough clients for EVERYONE !! Even in busy season take a day off …. eat a cupcake and get back to it. Because what did I say ?? Your amazing 
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