Preparing for Your Family Photos

I am often asked about preparing for your family photos. I mean the stress of coordinating outfits, getting everyone picture-perfect, figuring out what to bribe your kiddos with, getting your hubby on board (that is typically the hardest part right?!?!). The list seems never-ending and so daunting. I can totally sympathize.

For real you guys, we just had our family portraits done. So much stress… I really think that I made it worse then it needed to be. Those of you that really know me are thinking that is nothing new… Lol! My quest for everything to be perfect, for everyone to look perfect. The reality of the situation is that we are not perfect. And that is OKAY.

How To Prepare for Your Family Photos

I mean the day of our family portraits was a train wreck. I was out the morning of, doing all the things we ladies feel like we need to do – nails, lashes, last-minute purchases because I couldn’t make up my mind what the boys should wear, etc. Because I am a planner, I had budgeted my time just so. I got home with enough time to shower, iron clothes, get my kids ready and finally get myself ready. Because we mamas always put ourselves last, right?

Well, throw in the fact that we are trying to sell our house and we got a notification of a showing that afternoon. And guess what – if you guessed that my house looked like a cyclone had just passed through it, you are correct. So, because I had to drop everything and make my house look showroom perfect, no one’s clothes got ironed, I barely had time to shower – no fancy hairdos for me or my daughter. We literally got dressed in the bathroom of a bar/restaurant on the way to the location, and I did my make up in the car going up to Estes Park with very little light. Oh, and my son got dressed in a nasty “bathroom” at the location.

You may be reading this and thinking – why do I care about this? Why is she sharing this with me? Because you guys, even though all of this stuff happened I learned something that day. I learned that all the stuff – it doesn’t matter. Once our session started, I truly forgot that my kids’ clothes were wrinkled and that my hair and makeup was NOT picture-perfect. I got so wrapped up in LIVING IN THE MOMENT you guys, forgetting all of the crap that happened leading up to that moment.

Your Family Photos – What It’s Really About

I loved my kiddos hard, snuggled a little closer with my husband, and really took some time to reflect on the fact that these moments are fleeting. When did my kids get so big? No longer are they the tiny humans that I used to carry on my hip. Time flies and it is so important to have a story to look back on. To be able to remember how tiny your babies were. To recall the way your son looked just like Daddy when he was little. Life really is a story. Each year is a new chapter. Let me tell your family photos.

I feel so fortunate that I get to call this work. Who else gets to wake up every single day and help families celebrate life & love? I love that I get to tell their story. It is incredible to be able to create a moment in amongst all of the chaos that is parenthood, where moms and dads can really just focus on the amazing family that they created. I am pretty lucky if you ask me!

Are you are looking for a family photographer? It would be an honor to craft a completely custom portrait experience for you!

To learn more, drop me a note at hello@erinjachimiak.com or click here.