I have been photographing professionally since 2010 (that’s 14 years of photographing families) and had met thousands of families. Yet, just before every single shoot, I still feel nervous and excited at the same time. Kind of like butterflies in stomach.
We strive for the BEST in every session
“I am meeting total strangers for almost all the jobs and is (rightfully) expected to perform for every single session. Making them laugh, open up and being “genuine” for me to capture. This is no easy task and I do get nervous”
How a photographer mentally prepares herself for the shoot
One of the first thing I always do to prepare myself mentally is to ensure my gears are all fully charged and present. Packing extra batteries and SD cards is a must.
Another small thing I like to do during all outdoor shoots is to arrive at least 15mins earlier than the scheduled time. That small window of time “alone” will allow me to mentally prepare myself, scout the location for potential photo spots, and set up any necessary equipment.
Once the family arrives, I will introduce myself, brief them on the shots that will be taken and engage in friendly conversation. Depending on the ages of the children, conversation can range from “What did you had for breakfast?” to “What shows or movie are you into recently” to “What’s your dinner plan later?”
“Irregardless of my own mood that very day, I have to put aside my own problem, my own tiredness and make it a fun session for the family. There are days where I am so tired I could hardly lift my arms, but once I step behind the camera, it’s like a switch flips and I give it my all.”
Young children are often shy and apprehensive before the session (and that’s completely normal!). To break the ice, I will often direct parents to play with them. Peek-a-boo or the good old flying-in-the-air often works.
Some of the conversations I have includes
“Tell me, what do you wanna be when you grow up”
Conversation with little children
Five-year-old “I wanna be a dinosaur when I grow up”
For tween or teenagers, I usually start with taking “more cool photos” that are unsmiling or more serious in nature, to match their age and style. This helps them feel more comfortable and natural in front of the camera.
“Hey that looks interesting” I said to a teen during a short break. “What show is that you’re watching?”
“Hmm I don’t wanna talk about it” replied the 16-year-old.
And that’s alright. I could respect that. At least he’s replying to me.
As the session progresses, I pay close attention to the dynamics and interactions within the family. I look for genuine moments of connection, laughter, and love. Somtimes, I would help things along, such as directing them to tickle each other, do cheeky faces or simply discuss about the next meal “where shall we go for lunch!”
Taking breaks during the session to allow the family to relax and recharge is also important. This allows everyone to regroup, take a breath, and come back to the session with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Overall, my approach to photographing families involves not only technical preparedness, but also creating a comfortable and engaging environment where everyone feels at ease to be themselves.
