5 Things You Need to Know Before Your Family Shoot

So you have booked a family session with Acorn!

Well, first things first are that we aren’t just here to snap a few pictures of cute squishy kisses and call it a day - we want to find out who you are as a family unit, what you are learning as a parent, hear about the moments where you feel like tearing your hair out, and the moments where your kids make your heart explode with love. But let’s discuss the nitty-gritty!

Here are 5 things you need to know before your family shoot...

Location: What will be the backdrop to your images...

Thinking about where you are wanting to get your family shoot done is super important - there are pros and cons to every location but there are two categories that we ask our families to think about as the backdrop for their shoot. 

In-home: A place to explore and discover. A place to relax and truly be yourself. Whether it is in the lounge where your child took their first steps, or in the master room where you are attacked by cuddles early in the morning. Outdoors playing backyard cricket or around the dining room table where you share family dinners. Each part of your home tells a story and we can’t think of a better place to capture your family unit. We usually find that small children are a bit more comfortable in their home environment which means we can grab some epic shots! However we understand that this isn’t always an option for every family which brings us to the next option...

On location: Take your adventure outside and grab some fun and epic shots in the great outdoors. If you are based in Dunedin we have a list of our favourite locations that you can view here otherwise we are totally open to exploring other parts of the country with you and your family! 

Time of day: What time is going to best suit my family...

There are things that as photographers we take into consideration when booking a shoot and a lot of this has to do with lighting and depending on the location of your shoot the tide or outdoor elements. When it comes to photographing families there is more to consider and this includes snack times and nap times for the children. We want your family shoot to be an enjoyable experience and one that doesn’t end in tears for the children or the parents so thinking about potential times that will best suit your family is crucial. We are so open to doing early morning shoots if this is the best time for your children - the early bird catches the worm or as we like to say the early bird captures the best family shot! Though it is good to note that we will try to avoid doing shoots around midday due to the harsh lighting.

What to wear: Co-ordinating the family wardrobe...

We know sometimes it’s a struggle to dress yourself let alone a whole family. We have some helpful and handy tips that you can read here:

Above all make sure you are wearing something you are comfortable in and don’t feel like you need to be matchy-matchy!  

The shoot: What it will look like...

Here at Acorn we thrive on capturing your family “in the moment” rather than trying to put together a classic family photo. Our family shoots run for up to an hour and our biggest advice is to let go of perfection. We are wanting to capture a snapshot in time - who your family unit is now in all it’s raw beauty! 

Here are some fun ideas that we may try in your Family Session!

Jumping on the bed… or even better jumping on Mum and Dad’s bed.

The perfect guarantee to get those big cheesy smiles and bring out the mischievous and cheeky side of your children

Playing chase and feel free to get a little wet!

Aeroplane mode 

Is there anything more freeing for a little person being on top of their parents shoulders?

Bath time 

Is there anything cuter than a child and a bubble beard!?

Embrace the mess and lick the spoons while you bake cookies in your home kitchen or make your favourite family meal.

In your room with your favourite book or hobby.

And don’t forget to include your fur-babies!!

What happens afterwards?

So after you have completed your photo shoot you might be wondering what happens next? 

You will have 50 images that are beautifully edited to the Acorn style and delivered to you via a private online gallery where they can be quickly and easily viewed, downloaded or shared with friends and family. All photos will be provided in both Low Resolution (for email and social media) and High Resolution (for printing). We can also help you if you are looking to make those memories last by assisting with few prints of your family.

So you ready?

Let us capture your family’s love and connection - whether it is on an adventure with waterfalls or baking your favourite cookies in your kitchen in your home, make memories. Telling your family story and creating special moments to treasure forever. See you soon!