Family Photos Guide
Answering all your questions to make you feel at ease for your upcoming family photos
maternity | Newborn | Family
kansas city family photographer
capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family
capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family capturing the raw goodness of your family
A Quick Note
from your fellow parent
With two young kids of my own, I understand wholeheartedly the stress and chaos that comes with wrangling little ones. This guide is intended to help you feel at ease and prepared for your family session. But with any advice, parent to parent, take what works for you and leave what doesn't. Your photoshoot can be as designed or as casual as fits you and your family!
preparing for your family session
Feel at ease
I often joke that you do the most between the two of us. You search for a photographer and book a session between fixing lunches and changing diapers. You select coordinating outfits that fit your kids' personalities, in the right sizes (they're going to be how big then?), for the right season, in the right price. You show up and you are hoping with all hope that your kids cooperate because holy moly this was a lot of time and effort and investment.
WHEW. Take a deep breath. I get it entirely, and am here to hand you an exhale.
If information helps you feel prepared? Keep reading. If not? Ditch it and e-mail me any questions.
If information helps you feel prepared? Keep reading. If not? Ditch it and e-mail me any questions.
No matter your style, we're going to have a great time and capture the beauty of your family.
Maternity
These are so special to me. The time to soak in time with just your partner. The time to honor your body and it’s magical capabilities. The time to feel your little one with the utmost closeness.
Up to 60-minute session
100+ high resolution, edited images
Online gallery with unlimited downloads
1 Location
1-2 Outfits
Newborn
These often in-home sessions are crafted to commemorate the newborn days. With oddly frantic yet slow days, and your little one changing what seems like hourly, the photos are will serve as momentos of celebration and gratitude for this life phase.
Up to 60-minute session
100+ high resolution, edited images
Online gallery with unlimited downloads
1 Location
1-2 Outfits
Family
Every family session is different, as every kiddo is different. Some sessions last 20-minutes, while others are 60-minutes of full play. No matter the temperament or age of your family, I’ll be sure to capture the traditional, smiling portraits, along with playful, candid in-betweens. My absolute treasure and goal is to capture the dynamic and personality of your kiddos, but also to show you in your element as parents.
Up to 60-minute session
100+ high resolution, edited images
Online gallery with unlimited downloads
1 Location
1-2 Outfits
Extended Family
This session is for those capturing not only their immediate family, but their extended family as well. For those wanting grandparents with grandkids, the full growing family, and each family unit. In these sessions, we’ll grab photos of the full clan, as well as many combinations. Consider it a bunch of mini sessions in one!
Up to 60-minute session
120+ high resolution, edited images
Online gallery with unlimited downloads
1 Location
1-2 Outfits
a typical session flow
You'll arrive, and I'll walk you through what to expect (essentially this part!) and I'll say hi to your kiddos. Depending on your particular kid, I may show them the camera and get them excited about what's to come!
First, we'll get the formal shots done. This is when we typically have your kids' most apt attention! We may try a few different poses depending on what your kids will tolerate.
If we start to get wiggly, we'll move to more movement-based prompts. I'm a fan of walking photos, letting your kids take the lead, or even giving your kids special 'secret missions' to let the be playful and capture some big natural grins.
Depending on how we're feeling, we may move into individual photos and various combinations. Or if we need free play time, so be it! We let the kiddos lead, and often, we're better for it.
At any point we may circle back to repeat formal photos, walk to a different location, etc. As you can see, the structure is quite loose and the kiddos lead the show, but I am always tracking what types of photos we have and making sure you are getting everything you need.
A typical session flows like this
session flow
overall, kids will run the show... and we'll happily let them!
your only job is to look at your kids adoringly. I'll manage the rest.
My Posing Style
If you're worried about not knowing what to do with your hands or how to pose—don't be! I will guide you through everything.
I will make sure you're looking your best at all times—keeping an eye on your hair and makeup and the layers of your clothing—I've got you covered!
Throughout our photoshoot, you'll see there is a mix of both posing and natural flow. I'll pose you, adjust as needed (yes, I'll instruct you where to put your hands!), while also allowing for your natural tendencies to shine. Often within one pose, I'll invite you to look various places, tickle your little one, etc so we get a lot of variety in a single pose.
As a designer by trade, I often will 'build' the pose and composition in real time, rather that work through a set list and standardized approach to posing. This means you'll get a tailored approach that considers you, how you fit together as a family, and your setting to create well balanced compositions that work uniquely for you.
"You're going to have to help us - we're so uncomfortable in front of the camera."
... says you and everyone else! Never fear, this is a large portion of my job and why you hire a photographer: to guide you in to poses and prompts that help you feel at ease, look good, and bring out your best!
Leawood City Park, Shawnee Mission Park
suburban gems
Studio Reverie (Overland Park), Linear Bloom (Waldo), Motive (Crossroads)
in a studio
Nelson Atkins Museum, Kauffman Center
kansas city staples
Shawnee Mission Park, Loose Park
Below are some favorite locations in the Kansas City area, however, the best session locations are often meaningful to our individual families.
Photoshoot Locations
kansas city photo locations
location ideas
open fields
Nelson Atkins Museum
Studio Reverie
Nelson Atkins Museum
Motive KC
Leawood City Park
Shawnee Mission Park
Studio Reverie
Harder said than done, I know. But the goal is to coordinate, not match. Unless you are deliberately going for a matchy-matchy look reminiscent of 90's family photos, avoid matching clothes and use the following tips to put together a coordinating set.
Coordination Over Matching
a guide to outfit selection
Using soft colors and earth tones will ensure your faces shine in your photos. Keeping a soft palette will ensure you will first see your faces when looking at your photos, not your clothes.
Soft colors & earth tones
We want to avoid loud patterns for the same reason we want to avoid bold colors. Smaller patterns are ok. Having hard time deciding? Take a selfie then look at the photo. Does your eye go to your outfit or your face first? There is a difference between visual interest and visual distraction.
Avoid Loud and Large Patterns
Perhaps the best way to add visual interest to your outfit selection is to include lots of varying texture. For example, spring and summers photos may light knits, linen, khaki, denim, and chiffon, while fall and winter photos may have twill, corduroy, knit sweaters, and so on.
Add Texture and Layers
This is the less complicated part. Make sure you're comfortable for the weather, because your comfort level will absolutely come across on camera.
Dress for the season and location
Listen, you don't need to outfit your family in new pieces head to toe to have beautiful family photos. Often, the most comfortable and most you items already reside in your closet. However, I will prod a bit to make sure your clothes are cohesive so they don't detract from our main focus - you and your family! When we look at your photos, we want to see you first, not your clothes. Follow the tips below and you will be ready to go!
for visually cohesive photos
styling tips
Color palettes
When it comes to colors, the goal is to complement each other instead of match. As it can be challenging to know what colors work well together and create harmony in the pictures, you can see a couple of color palettes here.
You can pick the one that feels most like you and use it when planning your outfit.
Optional Props
things to consider
Photoshoot Packing List
Diaper change if needed
Favorite toy/stuffed animal for extra comfort if you think necessary for your kiddo.
Extra outfit just in case. I've never had a kid need to change, so please do not buy an additional photo-ready outfit. However, it won't hurt to bring an extra on-hand outfit in the event of an accident!
Essentials
what to bring
Truly such a seamless, enjoyable experience with Emma from start to end! We felt so at ease and comfortable during photos, and she is the very best with kiddos. Still can’t understand the magic she worked to capture SO many favorites of our family! We’ll treasure our photos forever.
- taylor
"We'll treasure our photos forever."
kind words from our families
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
We will work together to decide best steps forward if we see inclement weather on your photoshoot day. If we decide weather is too dangerous or, frankly, miserable for your photoshoot, we can reschedule at no cost. If you decide to cancel your session, you will lose your initial deposit.
Yes! I love to include your pets in your photos. However, I would recommend including them either at the beginning or the end of your shoot. Since they will not be with us the entire time, please arrange for them to either stay in the car or being under the care of a non-photographed friend.
You will receive your high-resolution, edited, watermark-free images through an online gallery. In your gallery, you'll be able to favorite your top picks, download web-size and high-res images, share with your friends and family, and even order high-quality prints and gifts through the integrate print shop.
Gallery Delivery Sent to your inbox
three weeks
Check-in to answer any questions
week of
when to expect your family session photos
- emma
Please send them my way to emma@emmaleighstudios.com. No question is too silly or too small - I promise!
Questions?
