Think which pictures you’ve seen that made you say, “Wow! I want that for us!” Sift through photos from the past and from others for inspiration to figure out what style you love most for your own family

Confession: When I first started out as a professional portrait and commercial photographer, I’d never been to a photographer for a personalized family photo session. It wasn’t something I grew up with, and ... wait for it … I’m camera shy (!), preferring to stay on the other side of the lens.

So, although I regularly take pictures of my children, it’s rare for my husband or me to be in the frame with them.

That needed to change. I needed to experience being a client, in order to understand the process that my own clients go through — whether with wardrobe stresses, making sure the kids behave, or worrying about looking good.

So, a few months ago, I finally braved it. I got the family together and we trekked over to a fellow photographer. Boy, did I learn a thing or two. The tips below are based on my experiences on both sides of the lens.

Why Am I Doing This Again?

One major factor in ensuring a successful photo session — and by successful, I mean walking out with something you’re happy with and feel was worth your money — is knowing what you want. Before booking a photographer, determine the purpose of your photo shoot.

Are you looking to create a wall design to fill an empty wall with artistic photos of family?

Do you want a photo book of the session to sum up the season in one album?

Are you just updating the grandparents with some prints of your family or some enlargements?

Whether you’re interested in formally posed family portraits, or more modern, natural lifestyle images, tell the photographer your vision and she’ll make it come alive. Some people have many ideas and styles that they like but they don’t know which to settle on for their own photo shoot.

My suggestion? Think which pictures you’ve seen that made you say, “Wow! I want that for us!” Sift through photos from the past and from others for inspiration to figure out what style you love most for your own family.

Clarify your needs before the money is spent on the session time and the pictures already taken, and you’ll avoid dissatisfaction and frustration. It helps your decision making when it comes to choosing pictures, since you’ve envisioned what you want. Also, you can then gauge how much you’ll be spending on prints, so the final cost doesn’t upset you and dectract from your enjoyment of your pictures.

Speaking of budget, bring that up with your photographer before booking so that she can help you balance your wants with your wallet. Too many times people spend money on the sitting fee for the photo session and don’t go home with anything because they didn’t factor in the cost of prints or they can’t decide what to do with the pictures.

Photography is a luxury, not a necessity. Bear that in mind and put aside the money if necessary; you’ll value your art so much more.

(Excerpted from Family First, Issue 599)