Behind The Lens with Shelley Beckman Photography + 5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Family Photoshoot Experience

Last week I posted our 2017 Family album and I mentioned on a couple of my social media posts that we had a hard time with our toddler. We got such a positive and relatable response from everyone, I was beyond touch and felt the support. I can’t thank you guys enough and as parents, we all know it’s not easy taking pics of the little ones but today I have our amazing photographer Shelley with Shelley Beckman Photography doing a guest post to help you get the most out of your family photoshoot experience.

Deciding to have your family portraits done is a great decision. I’ve made an effort to take more pics with my husband and kids more often because I realized that since we had our 2nd and 3rd child we’re constantly behind the camera taking pics of the kids all day. However, what happens when our kids are all grown up and they are looking back at their childhood with their own families? Will I be in those pics or my husband? You need to schedule a photoshoot asap moms and dads. Aim for once a year, look at it as an investment that will last for generations in your growing family.

Once you’ve decided to have your family portraits done, choose a photographer instead of going to a portrait studio please, trust me on this. It’s all great when it’s Easter or Halloween but you don’t want a teenager or a seasoned employee taking the same pictures of your kids that has been outdone several hundred if not thousand times. Another big downfall is you’re on a 15 – 30-minute time schedule with them and if that isn’t bad enough before you’re ready to go your images are on a disc with no editing or style.

I wanted to avoid all of the above, I wanted non-studio pictures of our family. I wanted a photographer that my kids and family felt comfortable with. Someone easy to work with, any flaws were edited, and our pictures back within a month with full rights to print and share. Shelley did an amazing job and my kids felt so at ease with her. If you’re in Minnesota you have to talk to Shelley before you schedule your portraits with anyone else. Also, keep reading to see how you can get 20% off your photo package with Shelley.

Below you’ll find Shelley’s post… enjoy 🙂

Minnesota + Style! Shelley Beckman is a Minnesota-based, natural light photographer who shoots on location bringing an instinctive style approach to her repertoire of unique photo sessions which include a balance of composed and candid lifestyle shots.

“I absolutely love photographing people from natural perspectives and capturing their true personalities. For me, the unpredictability and magic through a camera lens when emotion, composition, and light collide is a gratifying experience. I believe that great pictures capture the essence of our souls, document our legacies, bond families and bridge generations.” – Shelley Beckman

Although Shelley’s primary focus is on Game Day Sports Actions Shots and High School Senior Portraits, she also photographs families and engagements. Most recently, Shelley has added professional headshots and real estate photography services too.

[bctt tweet=”5 Tips to get the most out of your family photoshoot.” username=”lifewithkami”]

While getting family photos taken can be stressful, Shelley Beckman shares 5 tips to get the most out of your family photoshoot experience.

1. Determine the style of photos you want as well as what sort of location you are looking for. Do you want traditional, composed family photos where everybody is lined up and looking at the camera with coordinated smiles or would you prefer more candid, lifestyle-type photos that capture raw emotion and family interaction?

Venue (location). Are you thinking you want photos taken indoors in a studio setting or outdoors on location in a city/urban background, on a bridge, near a lake/river, or in a country field. Personally, because I am a natural light photographer, being outdoors is always my first choice no matter what (be prepared to reschedule your session if the weather does not cooperate). You may want to choose a location that is close to (or at) your home or one that has special meaning to your family. The beauty of hiring an on location photographer is that you don’t have to go to a studio for portraits, the photographer can come to you!

2. Research before hiring a photographer. This is so important! You need to be able to trust that your photographer will do a good job, so don’t just choose the closest and/or cheapest one you can find. Ask family and friends for recommendations. Search online and not only compare the talent of potential photographers through reviewing their photo galleries and/or portfolios showing examples of their work, but be sure to take time to look at fees and pricing as some photographers charge a session fee in addition to photo prints, wall art, and other products whereas others sell digital files (flash drive) and provide a print release so you can print photos or do as you wish.

3. Choose fun outfits to wear! Planning what to wear can be the hardest part of preparing for family photos. My personal opinion is to wear color as it makes everybody look alive and vibrant! Make sure everybody wears something they feel comfortable in, especially the kids as they show their emotions on their face…one element to achieving this is for everyone to be in their own style of clothing; at which point, I would suggest coordinating color tones instead of being “matchy-matchy”. However, if you plan to wear natural or muted tones, think about adding a boost of color through accessorizing. Whether it be a piece of statement jewelry for Mom or a headband or scarf for the kids, these things can add the perfect pop of color. Layering clothing is a good idea too! It adds interest and makes the photo more visually interesting. So think about adding a sweater to a plain top, an interesting piece of jewelry, a scarf, a hat, a funky belt, or some fun and kicky shoes (these babies speak volumes!)!

4. Prepare the kids. Let the kids know about the photoshoot about a good week in advance to get them comfortable with the idea. Don’t hound them about expectations of their behavior, but, more importantly, talk it up and make it sound like a fun and special occasion for the family – because it is!

On the day of the photoshoot, make sure everybody has napped and is happily fed. It’s always a good idea to bring snacks and for sure plenty of water for all to stay hydrated. On a side note, although relying on bribery to get kids to cooperate is frowned upon, it can be a great incentive for good behavior and definitely bring out the smiles when it comes to kids and photoshoots!

5. HAVE FUN and enjoy the experience! Yes, photoshoots can be stressful, especially for Mom, but instead of worrying if the resulting photos will be perfect, embrace that life ISN’T perfect and just have fun. Great photos are reflective of your life exactly at the time they’re taken. If your oldest won’t stop running around, or the baby won’t stop drooling, or the dog won’t sit still – that’s okay because that chaos is your life, and your life is beautiful. Embrace how crazy, fun, and wonderful it is!

One last note: If you are reluctant to have family photos taken because you feel like you aren’t looking your best or haven’t lost those last few pounds, do it anyway (ask your photographer to give you tips on how to look your best). Remember, your family loves and adores you just the way you are. Your kids will cherish photos of you with them and the photos themselves will be shared for years bridging generations to come.