Making Your Family Photos Experience A Positive One

I was recently interviewed by the absolutely amazing Emily Melious. Emily runs the Mother of Misfits podcast. She and I discussed how to make your family photos a positive experience. The episode is now live!

Read my 7 Tips for Healthier Family Photos.

I've been a fan of the Mother of Misfits podcast for some time. It was a real pleasure to speak with Emily about my process. This process has developed over the last 20+ years. As a result, family photo sessions with me are much less stressful.

Mother of Misfits

I highly recommend listening and following the Mother of Misfits podcast. Too, join Emily's mailing list. She helps moms and families feel empowered. Plus, she teaches you how to advocate for your kids. This is especially true for families with behavioral and mental health needs.

Additionally, her guests offer incredible insight. I've learned so much as a neurodivergent person listening to her podcast.

Don't miss my interview on the Crossing It Off Podcast!

Making Family Photos a Positive Experience

I've built my system over more than 20 years. My goal has always been making the family photo experience more positive.

How does my system work? It starts with communication.

Communication

First, communicating your needs helps your photographer. Set expectations with whomever you're talking to. Also, be sure to ask them to do the same. Of course, this applies not only to families with support needs but all families.

Understanding Your Needs

Make sure your family photographer understands your needs. As a photographer it helps to know about time constraints. Or, alternatively any possible need for extra time.

In addition, tell us anything we as family photographers can do to minimize disruption. After all, having family photos done, is not an everyday experience.

Family Photo Locations

For example, do you want photos done at your home? Alternatively, a park that you and your kids love can be a great choice. If you need a less distracting or routine disturbing place then be sure to suggest that. All good family photographers want the same as you - great photos.

Everyone is different. Find a photographer who understands a diagnosis doesn't define anyone. Your family photos should be taken by someone who cares about your family's specific needs, not just the diagnosis you or your kids might have.

Understand Photography Policies

Make sure to ask about cancellation policies. Find out if there are rescheduling fees. Too, ask how the photographer handles these situations. If you need to cancel, stop in the middle, or reschedule nobody should be caught off guard. Sharing your needs allows you to feel more comfortable.

Types of Family Photographers

There are different types of family photographers. Understand which types of family photographer you want. As a result you can relax and know that you've made the right choice when hiring a family photographer.

Mini-sessions

Some photographers offer mini-sessions. These are usually 15 to 30 minutes. They're quick and often routine based. The photographer get you in. Then they take your photos and you're all done. If your family is worried about attention or you need to get photos done quickly then this can be a good option.

Traditional sessions

If you prefer more time or want breaks between poses try a traditional session. After all, these are less constrained by time. As a result, they're often more flexible. That said, be aware of is that some photographers do keep strict time limits, even for traditional sessions.

Quantity Over Quality

Some photographers focus on quantity over quality. Their income is volume based. As a result, they're less expensive. However, they're often less personable. Therefore, ask your photographer how strict they are when it comes to time. Plus, try to get a feel for their personality.

Quality Over Quantity

Some family photographer focus on creating quality family portraits that you love. Of course, there still might be a sitting fee. However, that fee isn't an hourly rate. In fact, it's just a session fee. This is how I operate my family photography sessions.

Creating Photos You Love

The time we spend with you is about creating photos you love. We will be respectful of each other's time. As such, sessions are still around hour. After all, eventually we get diminishing returns. That said, the goal is capturing amazing family photos.

I don't schedule photo shoots back to back. This is because I know that your family deserves a positive experience. That experience make take 45 minutes or it might take 90 minutes. What is most important is that you get family photos that you love. Ultimately, you and your family should feel good during your photo session, and should treasure the results.

Trauma Free Photography

At the center of everything I do is the idea of creating trauma free photography sessions. My job as your family photographer is to take photos of your family that you love. To do so I don't ask anyone to do things they're uncomfortable with. That includes not insisting they appear in photos.

Body autonomy and agency are critically important. That's as true for adults as kids. We need to teach kids how to set healthy boundaries. Of course, that starts with us as parents. In addition, we all should feel comfortable telling others our boundaries.

Consent Matters

Consent matters. If we're telling kids that coercion is okay then we're setting them up for abuse. At the risk of telling you how to parent, please trust your kid and build their self-trust. For example, if they don't trust a stranger (photographer or otherwise) please don't force them to interact.

As a former child victim of abuse and neglect I take this very seriously. If a child tells me they don't want their picture taken I will not coerce them into it. Additionally, I strongly encourage parents to avoid doing so.

Rescheduling Is Okay

I'm open to reschedule sessions at times when everyone feels more comfortable. If we can then we'll talk through the discomfort. As a result, if we overcome that we'll continue. However, if they say no then I respect that and encourage everyone to do so.

Read my 10 reasons to book a headshot session right now!

Family Photos in Pittsburgh

If you're in the Pittsburgh area or nearby visit my family photos page. You'll see examples of my work, a list of my packages, and a form to contact me. Then we'll schedule your family photos. I do family photos in Pittsburgh.

Additionally, I also travel (for a small fee) throughout eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and through much of western and even central Pennsylvania.

Family Photos Near Pittsburgh

If you're in Youngstown, Cleveland, or Cambridge in Ohio I'm happy to book sessions with you. I also travel to Wheeling and Morgantown in West Virginia. I have also done sessions in Erie, Washington, Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, and Altoona in Pennsylvania.

Don't forget to give the Mother of Misfits episode a listen. Not only does Emily do an amazing job but also because there is a special discount for listeners. If you have any questions or comments please contact me here.