Everyone loves an outdoor family photo session. With so many amazing outdoor location options in Maryland (and DC and VA!), it’s easy to see why this is a popular session choice with my clients 🙂 After almost 10 years of photographing families, I’ve come up with a couple of simple ideas to ensure that your session will go smoothly and – dare I say it? – even be fun!
And since no post is complete without some eye candy – I’ll be sharing images from this family session that took place at Gaver Farm. Gaver has amazing fields of Christmas trees that make the perfect backdrop. I’ve been photographing this family since their little boy was only 4 months old! My clients are the best and I just love capturing them year after year.
1 – Plan for the ‘golden hour’ About 1-2 hours before sunset, something magical happens outside. The sun hits a perfect spot in the sky and beautiful light shines down. This is the ideal time to have a session outside. As it gets closer to summer, this time can be tricky for little ones with early bedtimes. Try a later nap that day and a low key afternoon. I always find that with the right combo of snacks and running around, even the grumpiest little one can stay up a bit past bedtime for one night 🙂 …speaking of snacks…
2- Bring snacks This one is pretty simple 😉 Don’t forget a water bottle too! Modeling is tough work and sometimes a little snack can really keep the smiles coming.
3 – Dress for the location Make sure to check the weather on the day of your session. If it’s chilly outside, I always recommend layering extra clothes under your outfits. Kids who are cold or hot or any sort of uncomfortable probably won’t look happy in their photos. Try on outfits before your session day to make sure everything fits well. In addition to that, I offer styling advice to all of my clients to help when planning sessions. Have a wardrobe question? Let’s chat!
4 – Get ready to play! I love having fun at my sessions! Does your kid like tickles? What about being thrown in the air? Nothing makes kids smile more than having fun! And sometimes all that goofing around in the beginning of the session tires them out so they’ll be a tiny bit still for that perfect moment when I can capture their sweet side.
5 – Accessorize! Adding a hat or a scarf halfway through your photo session can really help with variety. Bring an extra jacket or sweater to easily switch out.
Need a few extra wardrobe tips? Check out this blog post: What to Wear Tips for Planning Your Family Photo Session
6 – Don’t Worry! Be Happy! Let me worry about the kids! My job is to make sure the kids are doing what they need to do. Your job is to smile and look happy 😉 Even if it seems like chaos, don’t worry. I’ve got this! 2020 will be my 10th year in this business, photographing families all over the DC area. I have lots of tricks up my sleeve and have mastered the art of making kids laugh. I love my job and all of the families I meet along the way. Are you ready to book a family session? Let’s do this 🙂
If you live in Maryland, Virginia, or the DC metro area and are interested in booking a newborn, baby, or family session with Tonya Teran Photography, please email me at tonya.teran@gmail.com or use the contact form on this site! And don’t forget to follow my Facebook Page and Instagram  for the latest news and sneak peeks 🙂 I can’t wait to hear from you and work together to plan a memorable session for your family! xo
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