Step by step guide on how to prepare & book in for your photo shoot.

Capturing simple life moments and building a legacy through family photography is what I’m all about so, I’m not here trying to sell you anything, you either want professional family photos or you don’t and that’s totally fine.

I’m here talking to the people that want them but there are always reasons why you never seem to get around to booking them in, you can’t fit them into the budget? I know! I too feel like once I save some money then I will book it in and a whole year has gone by, and I never got around to doing it and now I can’t get that time back all those beautiful phases my kids went through, and I missed documenting it.

So, for a year I put away $20 a week, I stopped ordering my usually cup of coffee out and I started making it at home before I left the house, (I must say I’m pretty good at making them now, so it doesn’t even feel like a compromise). It was incredibly easy to do because I wanted it. I have now booked in my family shoot and have enough money to also buy a print or a photo book!

Here are a few tips that have helped my clients in the past and may help you in going ahead with booking in your family shoot.

1.      Booking your session well in advance.

‘Whilst at the time I thought it was expensive, it was worth every penny. I decided to book our shoot in with plenty of time to save and that made me less stressed about the outlay of money and gave us the extra time to pick the perfect location and make the shoot authentically us. It was truly an investment for myself and my family to have these memories captured.’

 2.     Get all family members on board.

 ‘After such a beautiful laid-back shoot my husband told me how easy and simple it was and that he would happily book in again knowing how comfortable the process was. After we had the photos printed and were put up on the wall, we were so happy to see them up and beautifully framed and are always commenting on them and it takes us right back to when the kids were younger and that beautiful time in our lives. We plan on booking a family photo session every year now.’

 3.  Organization is key.

 ‘It was crazy getting all the kids out of the house but the photos we received captured our personalities perfectly. I just love all the in-between shots, the non-posed raw moments, they are my favourite and because we did the sunrise session we were up and ready for the rest of the day. It was so nice.’

 4.    There is no better time than now.

 ‘I’m so overwhelmed with the photos I just received I feel like I could cry. The photos really show the love I have for my children and I’m happy with how I look/feel in the photos. I couldn't be happier that I didn’t wait until I lost weight. These are so special.’

 Yes, they are expensive and for good reason, I want quality photos (and editing) that I exist in and of my good angles not my bad ones that my husband seems to find every time I ask for a quick photo with the kids.

They are a luxury yes, an investment not just for you and for your children and their children its apart of an incredible legacy that someday you will leave behind.

I know that deep in my soul that when my daughter or son are showing their children one day the adventures they once had as children with me their mum, that the money I spent on quality family photography that is timeless was money well spent.

I personally love framed and printed family photos because I love filling my home with amazing memories that I can get joy from daily. Photobooks are an incredible way to pass the memories down through generations and exactly why at times they can be at a higher price point, not to mention a bit of a tedious task to create and get printed but defiantly worth the labour of love.

I’m happy, hubby is happy I’m not hassling him to take photos, and my children who will be adults one day I can guarantee will be happy too that once a year I’m making a beautiful investment for my whole family.

Maybe you don’t drink coffee? Maybe it’s a bottle of wine or eating in more, perhaps buying a few less pieces for your wardrobe throughout the year and living more sustainably?

CB

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