Convincing Your Family to Get Portraits Done

Get portraits done.. Here's some tips to make it easier.

The secret – how to get portraits done

Many families want to get portraits done but struggle to nail down a date and time everyone is free for a session. From a husband who travels to kids away at uni, there are numerous reasons to keep putting off family portraits. You don’t want the session to be stressful, resulting in stiff, uncomfortable portraits, so you keep making excuses.

There are so many reasons it will never be the perfect time to get family portraits. When you’ve been putting off the task time and time again, suddenly you realise it’s been years since you had portraits taken. You look around your living room and see that the most recent family portrait hanging on the wall is from ten years ago or earlier. If you can relate, you’re not alone. Make family portraits a priority this year, and you’ll be enjoying the results for generations to come.

You don’t have to rush  – but it doesn’t have to take a long time either

Finding a professional photographer who will get your family portraits done quickly and efficiently is key for convincing your family to set up a portrait session. The photographer will be able to get the entire session done in 20 minutes or less. Everyone will look relaxed and natural, resulting in beautiful images. Finding 20 minutes when everyone is free and then convincing them it will be worth the time may still be tough, but it will be a lot less overwhelming than blocking out a few hours. Keep in mind if you have younger kids, it may take slightly longer, but you should be finished within half an hour.

If you have young kids, the best time to schedule a family portrait session is first thing in the morning, right after everyone has been gotten dressed, eaten, and had their morning juice or coffee. When you’re refreshed and well-fed, you’ll be ready to have fun and enjoy the time with your family. Don’t make too big of a deal out of the event so everyone will be as relaxed as possible.

Schedule a time that suits everyone

If you have older kids, an evening session may be preferable so you don’t have to drag them out of bed early in the morning. If you’re taking your portraits outside, an evening session will allow you to take advantage of the soft light during the golden hour. Embrace the time outdoors as a family, and then go out to dinner afterward to complete the evening.

Being flexible will help you get portraits done.

Give your family members some choice in the clothing and accessories they wear and how they style their hair. There’s no need to all wear jeans and white t-shirts or other matching clothing. As long as everyone is wearing primarily neutral clothing and accessories, your outfits will coordinate just fine. When you’re comfortable in the clothes you’re wearing, your confidence will reflect in the pictures. Avoid telling family members to smile. The photographer is a professional and will know how to pose and talk to family members in such a way that they look relaxed and happy in the photos.

A week or so after the portraits are taken, you’ll be able to sit down with your photographer at a time that works for you and select your favourite shots. Your photographer will work with you to narrow down the best shots quickly. From there, you’ll be able to order your chosen shots and get them framed and hung on the wall for everyone to enjoy.

Get your portraits done – efficiently!

Instead of having a marathon two-hour photo session in which everyone is going to be sick of smiling and feel really annoyed and bored, you’ll have an enjoyable 20-minute session in which the whole family is relaxed, comfortable, and engaged. Your professional photographer will choose the right lighting, setting, and poses to get the shots she needs in a short amount of time. It is so much easier to convince your family that the latter type of session will be worth the time and money.

Talk soon,
Margherita :)

Liked this post? You can share it below.

Follow me on  Facebook with the buttons up the top of this page.

Or leave a comment below!

Leave a Reply 0 comments

Leave a Reply: