You’ve bought all the outfits for your family. You’ve arranged for a time when your partner is available and your kids are fresh from naps and have full tummies. Your hair and makeup are done. The weather, if it’s an outdoor shoot, is gorgeous. It’s been weeks, possibly months, in the making and you are finally ready to have your family photo session.
You know what happens next, right? Without fail, SOMETHING has to fall apart. Someone has an accident at daycare, someone didn’t get a good night’s sleep, someone is recovering from a cold, someone vomits in the car on the way to the shoot, etc. Or maybe everyone arrives at the shoot happy and ready to smile, and then something (like a large lake or forests) distracts the kids and you just can’t tear them away from it.
Now, little scrapes and cuts are easily fixed (if you want them to be fixed, that is!) in Photoshop so that’s not a big deal. Illness, though, is something we can’t change so if your child is sick the week of our shoot, let me know and we can usually find an alternate date that works well for everyone (this is a big reason why I take on only a limited number of sessions per month). As for distractions? Well, leave that to me. I LOVE getting right in there with the kids and seeing what it is that fascinates or distracts them so much! As a parent, I know how important it is for kids to feel listened to and important – once they know you’re there to have fun too, they start acting more like their natural selves and the moments we can capture of their connection to you and each other are authentic and just plain fun.
So while we will spend a little time trying to get that one shot of everyone looking at me and smiling, the majority of the time will be spent making memories that I capture on my camera for you. Trust me, that’s what you’ll love looking back on years from now – pictures of your kids loving on each other and on you, not pictures of your family looking at me!
This family below had their session at a big park in Toronto. We had planned for some nice images in the green areas but when the kids saw the lake, it kept drawing them to it. So we ended up in it. Literally, IN IT. They took off their clothes and just splashed around in their underwear. And it was AMAZING.
I love this family, they are always up for a good time and they are SO FUNNY and relaxed. The images we got in the lake were the best of the bunch, in my opinion, and this middle black-and-white image of dad with three of his kids, splashing around and having the greatest time together, is absolutely one I know they will look back on and laugh about 20 years from now.
Jessica Nip Photography specializes providing a full service experience that starts with booking your session through to the beautiful tangible heirloom products being displayed in your home. Her style of soft, natural and light-filled imagery can be seen in all her maternity, newborn, child and family portraits in Toronto, Canada. Her favourite images are highlighted on the blog, but if you’d like to see what a full gallery looks like, please send her a note and she’d be happy to show you!
To inquire about a session, please click here or email Jessica at info@jessicanip.com.
I can’t wait to help you create a beautiful visual legacy for your family!
