Hey moms! I see you…your family session is tomorrow and you are in full panic mode. Don’t do this to yourself anymore! Here are 5 things to do the night before your family photoshoot to help you feel more relaxed the day of!
1. Lay out your family’s clothes!
You already know what your handsome boys are wearing tomorrow, what shoes your sweet little girl will be adorning, your husband’s shirt, and your own clothes that make you feel like the goddess you are; way to go momma! Now go lay them all out in a place that is easy for YOU to access, including accessories like earrings, hats, hair ties, and yes, even socks. When it is time to start getting everyone ready for your session, everything you need is already there! No more yelling or running around the house looking for your son’s nice shoes or your little girl’s stockings.
If you don’t have a clue how to style your family yet, it is okay! Subscribe below for tips on how to choose family outfits for your session. This blog post will be updated with a download when that post is published in April 2021!
2. Set a time to get start ready!
Give yourself and your family enough time to get ready and then some. We all know how long it takes a 5 year old to put on shoes, so buffer that time in! My kid takes a solid 15 minutes for just his shoes (insert gritting teeth). So I always ask him to do it at least 3o minutes before heading out the door, and yes, I make sure I make time for that argument. Are you getting your hair and make up done? Are you doing it yourself? Does your spouse need to shave? Make time for all of this! If there’s anything that can be done the night prior (dear bearded men), do it then! Save yourself from the stress mess we all become 10 minutes before we have to run out the door to make it to your session location.
KEY TIP: Take care of you first mama! Tell yourself and your family that your photographer gave you orders to do this. While you are getting ready, have the kids eat. When it is time to get them ready, you can focus on helping them and avoid the 15 minute shoe battle.
3. Know Where To Go!
This probably sounds hilarious, but do you know where your session is located? If you do not, head back in your text messages and emails to find the right address! I promise to always send you a couple of reminders :) . Plan for the drive time and a little bit of traffic. The traffic in Parker, CO is never awful, but how is the traffic going into Denver or Castlerock? My favorite app for this is Waze. It even lets me set a reminder for when we need to leave to arrive 15 minutes early!
4. Sleep & Snacks!
You know who gets really upset and moody during sessions? The hungry or tired little (and big)! The night before your family session, please get enough rest! I know the excitement has built up, but make sure everyone gets to bed on time. I cannot say this enough for sunrise sessions! If you have a sunset session scheduled, make sure you put little miss or mister down for their nap. Cranky babies, while cute to me, really create stress on moms and dads alike.
On the way to your session, do not be afraid to give yourself and your littles something to eat. I always suggest clean or easy snacks like yogurt melts for littles and string cheese for ourselves and older kids. Hangry isn’t a fun look in a family portrait. Have these snacks ready to go in a grab bag for when you are heading out the door tomorrow!
5. The final tip: plan for a fun family outing afterwards!
Your hair looks fantastic, your partner and your kids look adorable, and you all just finished up a fun family session! Don’t let it go to waste right after! Treat yourselves to a nice family brunch or dinner! Planning this the night prior gives you a chance to continue the family bonding and memory creating. Call and make your reservations.