Family photos can be so stressful right? Behind all those amazing photos on that Christmas card are probably melt-downs and a lot of frustration. I’ve yelled, danced and generally humiliated myself in public so many times to get the best shot of my kids….I have so shame!

I can’t explain the nostalgia of having these photos of my girls to look back on. They capture our life together throughout the years – looking back at these brings me such joy!

I’m pretty good with my tripod, but when it comes to family photoshoots I prefer to hire a professional – it takes the stress off me!

My girls are now 9 and 11, so we have had a lot of practice as a family taking pictures together and I’ve made some mistakes and learned along the way.  I’m excited to share my 4 tips to rock your next family photo session.

Be Prepared

I make sure the kids aren’t too tired and get enough rest the night before – and I always have lots of snacks on hand while we are shooting. When they start to complain –  a skittle or piece of candy keeps them smiling.  I use bribes – I have no shame. I promise ice cream after if the shoot goes well 🙂

Let kiddos bring along a toy or item of comfort so they are relaxed during the shoot. Last year Mia brought her gigantic puppy Max along…it made her so happy that I was able to get a big smile like this out of her!

This year I even agreed to let our crazy cat Milo tag along on the shoot. It’s bizarre….but he loves to ride in a stroller! He stayed put the entire time we were shooting, and even let us pull him out and take a few photos with him! He’s definitely not a normal cat…….

Go For Comfort

Keep everyone comfortable.   The pictures will come out best if everyone is wearing something they feel good in. Because my kids are a bit older, I let them go to the mall with me and pick out the outfits they liked, with my approval.

One huge mistake I made this year…..new shoes! I know right??? My girls were miserable toward the end of the shoot and had to take the shoes off. Epic failure! Be sure you have everyone try on outfits ahead of time to check the fit and comfort of all the pieces.

Act Natural

Keep the poses simple so that you all look and feel relaxed and natural. In this shot we held hands and walked toward our photographer,  smiling and looking at each other.

Some of these candid shots are my favorites – it really shows off the connection and bond we have as a family.

Coordinate Clothing

Wardrobe planning can be really challenging! Here are some other important tips to keep in mind when planning the outfits for your family photoshoot:

*Keep the color scheme cohesive but not matching. Last year the weather was really cold so we picked out some fab coats for the girls to wear and styled around them. The pink and blue hues complemented each other so well. I chose neutral colors for me and Andy.

*Limit patterns. Consider picking one outfit for your family photos with some interest and coordinate around it.

*Add in different textures through the material of your clothing. I loved the velvet skirt Juliana wore and the sequins on Mia’s jacket. The textures added depth and interest to our pics.

*Fitted or tailored outfits always look better than loose-fitting clothing

*Add layers rather than bringing a change of clothes. It’s a quick and easy way to change up your looks.

The most important thing I have always kept in mind….it should be fun!

Hope these tips help you have a fun family photo session this year! Have any tips for me? I love hearing from you guys – please leave a comment for me below! Be sure to head to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba – I share more fashion and fitness tips there.

Want to learn more about downtown living with kids? Check out this blog post.

Love these styles? Shop them all by clicking the pictures below.

Have a great day my friends and thanks for reading! Sending air hugs and much love from downtown Austin, Texas. xo, dt