A Note to My Dads - What I need from you at a Family Portrait Session

I just adore photographing this family.  I met them a their photo shoot last year, and just immediately loved them. They are my people.  They just naturally fall into my style of photography...being playful and easygoing throughout the session.  And goodness, could that Jude be any cuter!  Those curls and that grin make me want to steal him and bring him home with me.  I just love toddlers.  

While I adore the entire family, today I specifically want to talk about Josh, and use him as an example of what I need from my dads at family portrait sessions. I think it is hard for dads to know what to expect at a portrait session with me.  Most of the time, it's the mom who deals with me before a session...the mom who chose me as the photographer, who saw my pictures online and who reads my welcome packet, and maybe my blog.  

Dads probably have the most experience with the kind of photography most of us remember growing up.  You know, where your parents took you to Olan Mills, JC Penny or Sears?  Then everyone had to stand on the X and smile at the camera while various (cheesy) backdrops were used.  My sessions are not like that at all, so I realize it's hard for dads to know how to help.  

Dads do want to help, but often times, their focus is in the wrong place, at least for my type of session.  Many times, Dads get frustrated if kids don't want to sit still or cooperate for a certain pose.  They feel the need to take control, or discipline the children.  I hear things like "Behave and we will get this over with faster."  While I appreciate the attempt, that's not really the tone that leads to the kind of pictures we want to capture.  

So what can Dad do to help?  

First of all, relax.  This isn't hard, I promise. I have very realistic expectations of your children  If your kids get restless or aren't feeling a certain pose or location, we will move on.  No biggie.  I might ask your two year old to do something, but if he runs in the other direction, I was expecting that, and it's fine.  I promise. I will take 1000 pictures, and in most of them, your kid will likely be running away, picking his nose, or whatever.  But there will be enough pictures where he is happy and beautiful...especially if you follow my next rule. 

Second, be playful!  Be playful with your kids, and be playful with your wife. I had a client recently (not Josh) who grabbed his wife's rear while I was taking a couples picture...absolutely fantastic and the giggles that it produced from her were just gorgeous and really showed the chemistry and playfulness between them.  I just adore these pictures below of Josh playing with Jude.  Those giggles are just priceless!  That's what I want to capture for you...those precious moments with your family.  So let go of your idea of standing on the X and smiling at the camera...that wasn't a good plan for two year olds anyway.  

If you'll notice below, there area only a few photos of Josh looking at the camera, and I absolutely love that!  While I always do take some moments to ask everyone to look at me so you have those shots, my personal favorites are always the ones where you are lovingly looking at each other.  So that's it...that's really all I need from you...to relax and be playful.  💗

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