Kathryn G Photography » San Francisco Photographer, family, newborn, lifestyle, maternity, engagement, affordable, best

So, you’ve found your photographer, booked your session date, and now it’s planning time! Getting ready for a photo shoot with children often leaves parents feeling stressed out. Even as a photographer, I have felt this when it has been my family’s turn in front of the camera. And a camera will pick up on stress.

You are investing time and money into your photo session, and I am here to give you a few tips on ways to reduce feeling stressed when it comes to your family photos. (Although getting your family ready and out the door is an inevitable stress that every parent of young children knows all too well.)

1. Don’t scour Pinterest before your session.

You have already invested lots of time finding a photographer whose artistic style feels like a fit. Save yourself time and stop looking up “cute family photos” on social media. Keep in mind two things:

  1. Social media has curated the very best photos to share and they are not an accurate representation of a realistic photo shoot.
  2. Your family is unique. The weather and lighting on the day of your photo session will be unique. The moods of your children will be unique. The artistic eye of your photographer is unique. Embrace the session as uniquely yours rather than trying to match a Pinterest-perfect photo you found online.

2. Let the photographer take the lead.

Family and child photographers have worked with lots of children, and are usually very adept at helping them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Give your child and your photographer time to get to know each other at the start of the session without feeling pressure to immediately jump in front of the camera. Additionally, communicate with your photographer about how much they would like your help in getting your child to smile. Sometimes, too many adults in the proverbial kitchen turns into overwhelm for children.

(And if you are willing to bring bribery, let your photographer in on the secret so that they can bribe along with you!)

3. Be prepared for downtime during your session.

Family photo sessions are generally 45-60 minutes, but that doesn’t mean 60 minutes of non-stop camera clicking. Much of that time will be spent helping your child feel comfortable, offering them breaks or snacks, or walking to find a new angle or background.

It is unlikely that your photographer strictly takes posed photos as this approach doesn’t work well with young children. Be prepared for them to give you a directed activity or time to play while they snap some candid shots.

Don’t feel anxious about having downtime or playtime during your session. Even adults would burn out after an hour of straight modeling! The downtime will ultimately foster a more comfortable environment for genuine and happy photos.

4. Ask your photographer questions!

A substantial part of a photographer’s job is helping their clients prepare for the shoot. You can find lots of answers online, but every photographer and every location brings different answers. So if you have questions about what to expect, reach out to your photographer first! Some of the most common questions I get (and expect) from clients are:

  1. What should(n’t) we wear?
  2. What locations do you recommend?
  3. How do you work with kids who don’t like taking pictures?
  4. What is the general flow of the shoot itself?

Ask away! Your photographer is here to help you navigate so you feel fully prepared during the session itself.

I always find that my stress lessens when I know what to expect. I hope that these tips have been helpful! Remember, your photos will be uniquely yours. Letting go of perfection and expectations and embracing the moment in time is my best advice for genuine photos that you feel happy with.

Meet baby William! For the first time since having my son a year ago, I felt the tingles of baby fever come back while photographing William. He is such a little doll! If baby is sleepy, I love to start a session with very gently posed photos of the newborn by themselves, and William was so patient. He spoiled me as a little model! As we adjusted William’s positioning, he would let out a little moan here and there, and I remember how much I love and miss those mini baby roars and newborn sounds! Enjoy this sweet gallery of a family I have known since childhood!

Inspiration: As a lifestyle photographer, photographing San Francisco newborns is always such a fun adventure. I love being given the privilege of taking photos in a family’s home. There is always a sense of joy and nervous anticipation I feel waiting to see what character details that make up so many of the old San Francisco buildings and figuring out how to use the elements of a home as the backdrop for a lifestyle session. 

Favorite Element: I was so excited to meet and photograph Coco. Two years earlier, I got to take her parent’s engagement photos in San Francisco. And now I got to photograph them with their precious new daughter. It is so fun to watch families grow from behind the lens. 
Biggest Challenge: Space! Often, San Francisco flats and apartments are cozy and compact. This doesn’t always leave much room for distant shots. However, my photography style leans towards tight, close up photos of my subjects, and cozy San Francisco apartments are the perfect space to get creative with the close-ups! A good window can add variety to a gallery, as well as “outside-looking-in” shots from outside a bedroom. And of course, if a family happens to have a city view or a rooftop terrace, I take advantage! This family even had some great vibrant art in their stairwell that we decided to use as a backdrop as we were venturing to the roof!
Final Thoughts: I have learned to enter homes with a fresh pair of eyes each time. I try to look for the unique details of the building, the way I can play with perspective in tight spaces, and how I can use the home as a way to tell a family’s story. Whether photographing in an expansive great room or a cozy San Francisco apartment, let the home and the love within it tell the story!

I was so excited for June’s newborn lifestyle session at her home in Oakland. There is nothing more exciting for me than meeting my client’s precious new babies. It is amazing to watch the transition parents take in the short time between our maternity sessions and our newborn photos. Baby June is such a lucky baby to have such loving and calm parents. Our newborn session in June’s Oakland home was filled with sun light and squishy smiles. We got a great combination of photos of June both sleepy and awake. I can’t wait to photograph June as she grows!

Check out my current newborn and family photography packages here!

Roses, babies, bellies, oh my! This maternity session was my first time shooting in the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland, and I hope it won’t be my last! The meandering paths and rose bushes in full bloom were the perfect place for this couple’s maternity session. What better way to celebrate a new baby then amidst a garden full of flowers?

There is always something so special about maternity sessions. New parents are filled with wonder and love and anticipation. Nerves and joy all mix together, and I feel so privileged to get to capture those moments.

Click here for my current photography package offers!