The GOAL:
Let's style your FAMILY in a way that is BEAUTIFUL but also SHOWS PERSONALITY with every photograph.
How to Prepare for your Family Photo Session.
If you have multiple adults attending your photography session, that will need help with what to wear, PLEASE send them the link to this page. Especially uncle Bob that always shows up in a Hawaiian shirt with fluro running shoes.
What to Wear
The best colour tones that work with my signature edit style, all come from the warm tone range. The above colour example is a magical combination. When selecting outfits look out for pieces with these tones. Styling is key! To help coordinate outfits check out our Pinterest board for Inspo.
At beachy locations – For kids, neutral coloured swimwear or board shorts, cream, white, beige, tan, brown, rust or black swimmers, look great. Then layer with your one chosen beachy cover outfit or dresses over top. Dads, usually go with board shorts in black or beige, and a linen shirt or plain t-shirt. Mums, one or two piece swimmers, in any neutral colour with a cover layer that’s suitable for a beach setting, Or a flowy dress that you don’t mind gets sandy and wet. Some great websites for online shopping are –
https://www.jenspiratebooty.com/
https://theindieblue.com/collections/dresses
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/WeAreReclamation
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/SeilaArtDressesShop
I also have pieces in my ladies client closet that look amazing, saving you the hassle of buying new clothes for mum if you are happy to do that. Let’s work together to find the best outfits for your family, when you’re shopping send me photos if you want my input. You might opt to handle styling solo which is totally fine, keep it neutral, flowy for ladies, and do a lot of scrolling for inspiration. Check out USA photographer https://www.stormysolis.com her styling is always incredible, she’s one of my favs.
The best sessions happen when we collaborate on who’s wearing what, and the colour palette. With my experience in creating stunning family looks, we can make sure your photos capture the essence of your unique family.
Sometimes we don’t go to a beach location or it’s winter and we’ll need more outfit planning to stay warm. Also we understand families are made up of many different combinations, all of them can be styled with this method below, but for this example we’ll refer to a family with a mum as the main outfit, dad and kids.
Step 1: Always choose the main Outfit first (eg, Mum), and we’ll work everyone else around that outfit. Here are some ideas to help in your quest to styling for emotion.
What to look for –
- Natural fabrics that are comfortable, breathe, move & have texture to them (linen, gauze or relaxed cotton is my favourite)
- Showing shoulder skin for emotion & connection.
- Choose Earth tones – natural white or pure white, rust, browns, charcoal, dusty plums, deep red, rosewood, or a floral with rich deep natural tones.
- If you must have blue go for a chambray or steel blue instead of royal, pastel, navy or sky blue (at least for how I edit).
- A Statement ring, that doesn’t over power brings in a little detail for impact.
- Textured cardigans that hang beautifully when worn off the shoulder.
- Nude colour undergarments under transparent dresses.
- Nipple stickers for when a bra can’t be worn to hide the nipples under sheer fabrics.
- Nude bandeau worn under, if a dress is low cut.
- Off the shoulder dress for mums trying to hide their mid section. This shows off your beautiful neckline, and exposes skin for more connection in photos.
- Styling around tattoos to show of versus hide
- Shoes if you need them, Brown or tan boots are my fav (extra points for old cowboy boots) or some slides that don’t have any colour to them.
What to avoid –
- Stiff fabrics (like a starched cotton button-up), as they wrinkle easy, look & feel uncomfortable & make people worried about keeping them pristine.
- Wedges, heels or any kind of shoe that you can’t move freely in.
- Nail polish that catches the eye. I prefer no nail polish at all, as it draws attention in close-ups, if someone is holding someones face for example.
- Watches (again, distract from close-up moments & take away from the emotion). They date the photo and ruin a gorgeous close-up of a parent cupping a child’s face.
- Mum (and dad) & baby in same colour or value-they should have separation between them when she’s holding baby to give depth in the photos.
- Short and/or tight dresses.
- Choose softer tones that blend well with the overall colour scheme.
- Add accessories like headbands, scarves, or a little vest or jacket in complementary colours, avoiding overly vibrant hues.
- Things for warmth to keep kids happy, when seasons are cold- bonnets, beanies, stylish brimmed hats, long sleeves, layers, layers, layers. And blankets that match in colour tone.
- Pay attention to details like belts, shoes, and hats. Avoid overly bright sneakers and opt for footwear that complements the overall look (eg, little brown boots or sandals) or else barefoot for everyone is good too if the scenery and season allows for it.
Step 4: Select the Men’s Outfit
Base on the Overall Palette:
- The man’s outfit should align with the chosen colour palette and style.
- Neutrals like whites, greys, or black denims can work well for men. Avoid blue jeans and opt for muted tones that complement the family’s ensemble.
Step 5: Pull It All Together
- Lay out everyone’s outfits together, avoiding clashing colors and distracting patterns. Make sure the colors are harmonious and don’t compete with each other.
- Avoid Logos and Busy Patterns
- Steer clear of clothing with large logos or busy patterns that can distract. Choose classic styles that stand the test of time.
- Ensure everyone feels comfortable in their outfits. Avoid bright sneakers, Hawaiian style floral shirts, or any elements that may draw attention away from the family’s faces.
By incorporating these considerations, you’ll create a cohesive and visually pleasing family ensemble that will result in beautiful, timeless photographs.
Arrive in a chilled out & loving mood.
I get it—maintaining a carefree relaxed attitude getting everyone ready for a photo session can be a challenge. But trust me, the best family photos come from parents going with the flow and not stressing over their kids’ antics. That goes for the hours before your session as well. Pretend everything your children do is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen, and your photos will reflect that joy. I’ll remind you when we meet. It’s your day to be the cool parents. No discipline allowed for this hour. You’ve got this, and I believe in you!
If your kids are doing something that’s not what we’re after, simple redirection is better. The word “NO’ is banned, and using it will result in kids getting upset really fast.
Avoid saying anything to your children that will make them believe your session will be a chore. Don’t say things like “As soon as we’re done photos, we can have ice cream.” or ” We will be done having our photos taken very soon” or “Listen to the photographer”. Making them think that our session is going to be dreadful, boring, or a favour to mum and dad is a massive NO, NO, NO!
Pump the kids up: Change the narrative. Instead say things like – “Tonight is a very special night. Our family gets to visit somewhere new to explore.” or “Let’s make some very special photos of our family together and we will let you choose which one we send to Grandma!” or “We went shopping just for you and picked out something you’ll be able to run, dance and twirl in.”
The shoot will be more fun and successful if you change their mindset into believing the family has something exciting planned rather than it being a drag.
Countless times, I’ve captured photos of kids laughing and having a great time (maybe over something a tad naughty), only to have the moment spoiled by parents scolding with stern or annoyed expressions. Now, picture if those parents were instead looking at their kids as if they were witnessing the most adorable thing ever! Catch my drift? Lol.
Things that look naughty in the moment to a parent can be:
- Running wild.
- Splashing in the water.
- Picking up a stick and waving it around.
- Jumping around.
- Being cheeky to Tanha.
- Showing off in front of camera.
- Not listening to instructions.
Your Session - Tips
Please leave your pram in the car if you have babies.
Apply mosquito repellant to everyone, especially after periods of rain.
If you have young toddlers and you arrive early to the location, please wait in the car until we start. That way everyone has a full tank of energy to use from start to finish.
Avoid having anything to eat that’s brightly coloured, otherwise their mouth and smiles will be stained.
Nails and grooming should be done, so you’re all looking your best. Please remove nail polish from kids fingers and toes.
We usually start at our location hiding from harsh sun in the shade of trees, we’ll start with family looking at camera so that we can forget about that pose. From there there won’t be any need to pose like statues. Constant movement is what we’re after. Hands moving, touching hair, touching someone else’s face, kids shoulders, hugging, touching heads together, noses connecting, sniff each others temples, dance and twirl, laugh loudly, all of these things make for connected family photos. Get your kids to draw a circle on your cheek using their nose, then do it back to them and they’ll look straight into my camera.
Refrain from commenting on your child’s smile. Throughout most of the session, I aim to capture their natural interactions with the family rather than posed smiles at the camera. If you observe me focusing on photographing your child individually, consider taking a step back and minimizing attention—sometimes, this subtle approach helps older kids ease into the moment. I have prompts to get them laughing and relaxed, so don’t worry if initial expressions are a bit reserved or shy. These shots often serve to boost their confidence at the start, paving the way for genuine smiles. Also, feel free to interject with some funny jokes that you know will resonate with your kids.
Toddlers and babies almost never know to look at camera ever, and parents have an automatic reaction to point at camera and say “Look at the camera, or look over there it’s a bird!” Please try to remember to hold your self in a flattering way, with hands in. It’s my job to get their attention when I need it, otherwise if they’re not looking at me, it’s usually intentional.
Be very Affectionate during your session
During your session your hands should always be touching, embrace your children by holding them close, running your fingers through their hair, and savoring the sweet scent of your baby’s head. Share a sweet kiss with your partner or cuddle up while the kids explore. Take a moment to gaze at your family, recalling where you all began. These genuine acts—embracing, kissing, snuggling—allow me to capture the authentic emotion and true beauty of your family. The photos shine even brighter when these heartwarming moments occur naturally, without too much direction from me.
I remember capturing a beautiful moment where a mum held her daughters’s face in both of her hands. Reflecting on the image, she shared, “That little face, melts my heart, I have so many memories where I would do that same thing at home, she’s less into that kind of affection now, but now I have it documented forever—so I guess that’s kind of okay.”
If ever uncertain, simply get close to someone and snuggle. You can’t get that wrong.
Dads hands look best holding kids, touching their partner or in their pocket. I absolutely LOVE it when partners fix ladies hair. Every time their hand comes up to her face is so emotive, imagine the wind blowing hair over her face and he’s slowly tucking it behind her ear, coming in for a little smooch as well. Amazing!
What Makes Your Kids Laugh?
Consider what your kids find funny and jot it down in advance. Review the list, and during the session, incorporate those elements. While I have techniques to induce laughter, tapping into your parental knowledge of inside jokes and funny memories adds an extra layer of fun for the kids. This joy will undoubtedly reflect in the photos. Keep a note on your phone, continually adding funny occurrences as they happen! Some things that always make kids laugh is when I ask them cheeky things like – Who does the loudest burps at home? So don’t look at me weird when I pull this kind of question from my bag of tricks, it always works. Child level toilet humour is hilarious to young kids.
Ordering Digital Files & Prints
Pre-Payment of any of the digital file collections is required 7 days before your booked session. To avoid card fees please make a bank transfer to Winni and Mini Photography- BSB 064451 ACC 10542988 ref your name. Or you can call to make your payment by card over the phone.
At the end of your photos being taken, we will check our calendars for a date within a few days to book your ordering appointment in studio.
Your images are uploaded into the computer and displayed for you up on the big screen. You can sit back as we go through and select your favourite photos. Once your final selection is decided, and your prints chosen, payment is accepted preferably as cash. Bank transfer & credit card is also accepted with an extra card processing fee.
Please make sure to have a dedicated conversation about the packages with your partner. It’s not a good idea to surprise them with the package options when they love all of their photos and it’s more than they thought it would cost. These are photos of your kids, expect to love them all, and pre warning that there will absolutely be enough photos for you to purchase our biggest package plus more. If you need more time to pay for an upgraded package we can setup a lay-by payment plan over 6-8 weeks. Minimum due in full on the day of your session is 40% of the package as per our price info.
We love it WHEN
01 Wind blows your hair around
From your hair to the dress you’re wearing, wind is my fav! It creates movement in that moment frozen in a photograph. Embrace it wholeheartedly.
02 You get in the water together
It really does make for magic, the way water moves and the splashing is incredible in photographs. This is the Gold Coast, we’re spoilt for amazing beaches!
03 You love all of your photos
Be prepared to love them all. That’s what you’ve paid me to do. This is the goal. I make magic! Imagine if you had a session and didn’t love any! What you thought we might create, double it.
Things to EXPECT from your session outdoors.
Your face will ache by the end of your session, from all the laughter, we really do have that much fun.
The Mission:
