Fall shoots are underway, which is peak season for family photos! I know family photos can be stressful for a lot of people. Maybe it’s because you've had a bad experience in the past; or maybe you are nervous how your kids will behave; or maybe it’s your family’s first time doing a photo shoot! Whatever the reason may be, here are my 5 BEST TIPS for a successful photo shoot so you can get the most out of your photography experience!

1) Plan your outfits ahead of time.

I recommend to start planning as soon as you lock down a date! Trying to figure out everyone’s outfits the day of your session can be stressful, and leave you feeling rushed and disorganized.

I recommend to layout ALL your clothing next to each other once you have a general idea of your color scheme. Seeing all the pieces come together will help you make any adjustments and/or determine if you need to purchase any items.

Need outfit tips and inspiration? Check out my Fall and Winter Pinterest board!

2) Eat a snack beforehand.

Who else get hangry when they're hungry? We’ve all been there, and kids will especially be less likely to cooperate when hungry. Thus I highly recommend having a snack about 1 hour before the shoot. I also encourage you to pack a few snacks in your bag just in case!

Happy kids = happy photos!

3) Leave extra time to get ready.

Feeling RUSHED is a very stressful feeling. I HIGHLY encourage to give yourself lots of extra time to get the whole family ready. Leave MORE time than you think to accommodate showers, getting dressed, hair styling, etc.

When a family shows up to a photo session rushed and disorganized, it often impacts the session and leaves a stressful tone during the shoot. However, if a family shows up relaxed and happy, I can’t emphasize the difference it makes in photos!

4) Prepare your spouse and children.

Shoots go so much more smoothly when BOTH parents are cheerfully participating in the shoot (and your kids pick up on it, too!). If your spouse dreads getting photos taken, please let them know I’m going to do everything I can to make the shoot relaxing and fun. I also want to provide a gentle reminder on how important it is to capture family photos. These are precious images that will capture your LEGACY and will be cherished for future generations!

Also, let your kids know how long the shoot will be, and ask them what photos THEY are hoping to capture. Give them a chance to participate and let them feel like this shoot is for them, too. I love hearing their ideas because sometimes they are truly the best ones!

5) Relax, enjoy the moment, and have FUN!

If your baby starts fussing or your child won't cooperate, please do not stress! I’ve seen meltdowns, diaper blowouts, and much more, so please do not feel embarrassed or stressed if things happen.

Please also know for some kids, it takes some time to warm up in front of the camera—and that’s OK! If they are feeling shy or uncooperative, I will take another approach so they can start opening up and feel more comfortable.

Just relax and leave it to me to walk you through the session despite the meltdowns! Trust me, your photos will turn out SO much better when your faces are RELAXED vs. tensed!

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Genevieve Fu, the artist behind G. Lin Photography, specializes in lifestyle newborn and family photography and is based in Durham, NC. Known for her natural, genuine, and candid style, Genevieve has been voted as one of the "Best Photographers in Durham" by Durham Magazine for three years in a row, and is the premier choice for family and newborn photography in the greater Raleigh-Durham area.

As a family photographer, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "what should we wear for our family photo shoot?" Deciding what to wear for a family portrait can be daunting and stressful especially if you don't know where to start! I thought I'd write a quick blog post on on how you can plan your outfit as a family, and you can use this as a reference guide for your upcoming sessions. Scroll down to learn about my 5 tips to coordinating the perfect family outfit for your photo shoot!

1. Know your style!

Consider what you normally wear and what style best represents YOU! Do you like a clean and classic look, or are you more preppy and edgy? Or perhaps you like more of a vintage and bohemian look? Also, keep in mind when it comes to lifestyle photography, the idea is to be genuine and authentic. If you are normally a jeans-and-t-shirt type of family, then by all means go for a casual look! In a nutshell, dress in a style that BEST showcases who you are as a family. You'll look and feel more confident during your shoot!

2. Choose a color scheme.

Choose 2-3 main colors and dress within that color palette. For spring and summer sessions, it can get hot and humid, so I suggest wearing light neutral colors (e.g., creams, grays, whites) paired with earth tones to stay cool. This palette tends to complement well with any background! For fall and winter, warm colors (like burgundy, burnt orange, or navy) and neutrals (like creams and grays) are flattering to wear during cooler weather.

3. Wear solids and limit patterns.

Wearing solids tend to look excellent on camera. Incorporating some patterns and prints can look great, too, but make sure it complements the overall look! The key is to strive for a balanced look when wearing patterns or prints; otherwise, things can get too "busy" or distracting. I recommend wearing 75% solids and 25% patterns for a balanced look!

4. Layer your outfit.

Layering is a practical and easy way to build texture and interest in your photos. For example, during the fall and winter, I recommend adding a scarf, vest, cardigan, or jacket. These layers can help you and your kids stay warm during the shoot, and it makes it easy to remove them if you start to get too warm!

5. Consider adding jewelry and accessories to your outfit.

Wearing jewelry and accessories truly adds the finishing touch to your outfits! For example, a dainty necklace or earrings, or a pretty straw hat would be chic to wear and can help complete your overall look. Please note if you have young children, I would recommend wearing stud earrings versus dangly earrings to prevent your child from pulling your earrings :)

Still stuck? Checkout my Pinterest board!

I recommend going to Pinterest for more inspiration and ideas! You can also checkout my Spring and Summer Wardrobe Guide and my Fall and Winter Wardrobe Guide. Pinterest is a great place to help you get a feel for colors and patterns you love as well as trends you like!

Lastly, please don't be shy to ask me for help! As your family photographer, you are always welcome to bounce ideas with me :) Have fun, and I hope this helps you feel prepared, confident, and excited for your session!

-Genevieve