How your Family Portrait photography session works ?
Before
Prior to every portrait photography session I call or email each client. I can answer any questions then. I have found from experience, that a quick 10 minute chat or email allows me to be well informed. I can then be well prepared for the photography session. Good preparation, results in a relaxed family and photographer and gives beautiful images.
When necessary I will email ‘top tips’ to prepare for your session. These are great to answer any of the frequently asked questions and help you prepare for your portrait session.
I will also send a link before the session, to allow you pay a booking deposit.
The Session
I will arrive at your session on time. (I am always on time, but if I am running more than 10 mins late I will let you know).
If you have opted for a lifestyle portrait photography session, it is great if everyone is ready when I arrive. Especially where children are involved. I find some of the best, most natural images are captured in the first 15 minutes of me being in the house. The novelty wears off pretty quickly if you are a small child. So to get the most from your session, please try to be ready when I arrive (well as best you can, I am a parent too and I know that sometimes the best laid plans can come undone). Check out some of my lifestyle photography sessions below.
If you have opted for a studio portrait photography session, I will need a couple of minutes to get set up. I would again advice to have everyone ready, so that I can get started as soon as I am ready. If you have toddlers and smaller children, I will chat to them and explain what is going on and get them on side.
See top tips
https://www.avrilokennedyphotography.ie/top-tips-for-newborn-baby-sessions/
https://www.avrilokennedyphotography.ie/top-tips-for-photography-session-with-older-children/
When do I get my Images?
After the session, I will contact you with your gallery by email (within 1-3 weeks).
If you are on a print package, you will need to choose your images from this gallery. You can then email your selection to me and I will organise the printing, (this takes approx a week to 10 days) .
If you are on a digital package, your images will be available to download when I send you your gallery. You can then save, share and print as you want.
I now offer a combination package, with both print and digital images. You will have your images to download and you also get professional prints. The best of both worlds.
See below for an overview on pricing and packages.
Pricing
Frequently asked questions
Is my house suitable?
Yes. I can work around any house, so don’t worry about that. If you want, you could remove some of the cluttery stuff. However, to me, a house is a home so don’t feel it has to be clutter free. I am not there to record the house, I am there to record you and your family in your home. As I try to use natural light as much as possible I would ask that all curtains and blinds are as open as much as possible. I also find that there is even more light upstairs, so if you could have some of the bedrooms ready that would be great. If you are interested in studio like images I will need a bit of space and time to set up beforehand.
Special requests
Before the session it is worth thinking about any images you especially want, for example mum and daughter etc. Photography sessions can be busy, if I have a list of images beforehand I can assure you that I will get every image you want. Then all you need to do is to concentrate on looking great in your photos.
What about the kids?
I am used to working with children of all ages, I have three children myself and 26 nieces and nephews. Some of the most boisterous, fun filled sessions result in the most natural photographs, so let them enjoy it and relax.
Top Tips for your photo session
- Try to have everyone fed and watered before the event and be mindful of babies’ nap and feeding times when booking.
- What to wear, whatever you are comfortable in. Logos tend to date, so it is best to avoid them. It can be nice to coordinate a little bit, for example pick 3 or 4 key colours that everyone wears 2 or 3 of, that way it is coordinated without being too matchy. Check out my blog on what to wear for more information.
- Relax, as a parent we try to instruct our children on what to do. This doesn’t alway look great in a photos, so let me look after instructing everyone.
- Enjoy it!
What age is the best age to book your photo session?
Now! It is always great to capture the new addition to your family at any stage. Below is an overview of what works at each stage. You can also check out my top tips on newborn photography in my blog
Newborn up to 8 weeks
I love these sessions and would have loved pictures of my girls at this stage. However I wasn’t that organised. I always work around the baby, so don’t feel any pressure. These session can take a bit of time. I would recommend to have the baby fed and changed just before the session. Check out my top tips for newborn baby photography sessions below.
If you would like your baby photographed naked, (these can be lovely photos especially in black and white). I would recommend having them undressed at the start of the session (just nappy on). Insure they are warm and comfortable. If you would like some photos of the baby dressed too, please have whatever they are going to wear ready. You can check out my blog on what to wear.
I will bring a positioning bean bag to position the baby and some blankets/rugs/wraps. I will also bring baskets to position the baby for an alternative portrait. I try to keep the photos as natural as possible. Check out my blog on Newborn Sessions for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIzRzhkszrY
8-13 weeks
Babies at this stage are beginning to become more alert. They will have lost their newborn look and are beginning to look more like themselves. Although they may be more alert they may not be that interactive yet, so smiles are not guaranteed but are often achieved.
14 weeks – 9 months
This is a lovely age to photograph, the babies are very interactive. It is lovely to capture older siblings playing with them and the reactions they get, as well as the fantastic smiles they give their parents. At this age, they can get tired quickly, but I work fast and the session is generally done within an hour
10 months – 18months
As babies become more aware of everyone around them, they can make strange. Having a session at home, helps a lot as their surroundings are familiar, however they can still make strange. I generally take the session a bit slower so that they are comfortable with me. It is a lovely time to capture them at play and that developmental stage that they are at. A set of keys can hold their interest for ages! A mix of candid shots is guaranteed along with your family portraits
Toddlers
This is a great stage, they are full of character and energy. Yes toddlers may not always behave but the session will be long enough to get some great photos. It is best to let them know that I am coming so that it doesn’t come as a surprise to them and upset them.
Older Children
There is not much preparation necessary for this group, however, as with the toddlers make sure they know that I am coming, on occasion the ‘surprise’ of the photographer can make it difficult at the start of the session. In general older children love it, they are great at interacting, taking (some) direction and having fun with the session. Check out my blog
Tweenagers, teenagers and beyond
This age can be difficult as children become more self-conscious. I try to make the session fun and weather permitting I try to bring some of the session outdoors. I think children of this age tend to relax more outdoors, the sense of space puts everyone at ease.
Adults
(yes you get some tips too)
The main tip I can give is to relax, try not to be too self-conscious but to enjoy the session. I tend to concentrate on the children, making them laugh etc., All you need to be is ready for the photograph. When I am taking photographs of your children on their own, please try not to distract them, the best photographs result when the children are interacting with the photographer, so try to leave me to engage with them and get them to relax.
(I would also ask that if you have offered a reward for good behaviour that it is not mentioned during the photography session, the children can become very distracted by the reward once it is mentioned)
How do I Book ?
If you are interested in booking a session contact me through my website or email or call me directly. Once we have decided on a date and time I will send you on your booking form, see below. All you need to do then is to fill this out and return it to my by email and pay your deposit (I will send you the payment link by email) to reserve your session time.
I have a number of different packages to suit all budgets and I am happy to create a bespoke package for you so that you get the best value photography session at the best price for you.
I have taken some further precautions regarding COVID-19, please take some time to read these guidelines before your session.
To keep up to date on all my work, feel free to follow my social media;
Facebook, instagram, pinterest and YouTube accounts
Professional Headshots
If you are looking for professional headshots, check out my blog