Behind The Scenes Of Family Pictures

hunter’s top + skirt + similar shoes  |  hudson’s similar top + pants  |  houston’s top + similar jacket + pants  |  joe’s top + tie + pants + shoes  |  harpers romper + shoes  |  my dress  |  hayden’s romper + shoes

Fall is making its way into the air here in Northern Utah. Fall screams cozy sweaters, halloween, and for a lot of us, the dreaded Family Pictures!!! Haha! I think just about everyone can agree that family pictures bring out allll the emotions. Whether it is the stress of outfit planning, the toddler (or husband) tantrum, or even feeling a little sentimental, they are full of emotions and can be a challenge, especially with a lot of people to coordinate. You typically just see our final “perfect” product at the end here, so today I wanted to do something a little different and show you the real life behind the scenes of getting family pics with us + I’m sharing a few tips and tricks from lots of years of practice to help your family pictures go a little smoother!

CAN YOU HEAR . . .

“PLEASE don’t spit.”  ||   Joe, “I am smiling, it’s FAKE but it’s a smile.”   ||   “Don’t pick your nose.”

Now that you’ve seen how family pictures really go for us, let’s talk tips!! While I’m not claiming these will make you love family pictures, they are a few tried and true things I do every time that have really helped to save our sanity!

(candids are some of my absolute favorite images…so don’t stress if everyone is not looking)

hunter’s top + skirt + shoes  |  harpers romper + shoes  |  my dress  |  hayden’s romper + shoes

:: PICK YOUR OUTFIT FIRST 

If I could shout this one from the rooftops I would! It is so so important. Mom’s aren’t really known for dying to be in the picture with our little people. But you guys, we need to be part of the memories too! By picking your outfit first, you will guarantee that you feel confident + comfortable. When you feel good about yourself you’ll love your pictures more!! Trust me on this one.

:: THE LESS MATCHY MATCHY YOU ARE, THE BETTER

If I’m being honest, all of our last-minute pictures where I’ve had to throw random outfits together that necessarily don’t match perfectly always end up the best. Figure out a main color palette, and then focus more on everyone being comfortable instead!

hudson’s top + pants  |  houston’s top + similar jacket + pants  |  joe’s top + tie + pants + shoes

:: TIMING IS KEY 

Timing can be the difference between smooth sailing and a total melt down! Try to do a time when you know your baby or toddler will be happy. Like right after nap time, or dinner. I think this helps the mom’s stress level a million times. Also, make sure your people are all fed and not hungry because that makes a huge difference with their moods. Gosh, I even get hangry sometimes!

*TIP: give them time…and take their mind off of the actual pictures. Like ask them to pick their nose and trust me you’ll get a smile!

:: GET THE MONEY SHOT FIRST

If there is a shot you have in mind that you have to have, do it very first. Usually for us, it is the full family shot. Get the must haves out of the way in the first 5 minutes. You never know when someone is going to lose it so get what you want most first!!

:: BRIBERY WORKS

I see absolutely nothing wrong with bribes for family pictures!! I usually have skittles or gold fish for the kids in Joe’s pocket and will pop one in the kids mouth here and there when they are listening. AND, tell your kids they can get a reward like ice cream or a night at the park if  they will listen to the photographer without a fuss. It always helps and we really go and do it afterwards, because who doesn’t need ice-cream after all of this craziness!

 joe’s top + tie + pants + shoes  |  my dress

Hopefully these tips and tricks are helpful when your family pictures roll around! Remember, like the video shows, it is never perfect smooth sailing for everyone. Just be your natural self, try to roll with the punches, and I promise the moments you want to pull your hair out will probably turn into your favorite raw real pictures!!

(also let their personality come through…it’s those little quirks you want to remember)

photos : aubrey taiese