Rob Atkinson Photography | Session Prep Guide
Breathe
I get the rabbit holing carried into a traditional family photography session. How do we coordinate our outfits without looking like we coordinated our outfits? What awkward poses will portraiture demand of us? Alternatively, how do we avoid lifestyle session clichés? You know, the dad being asked to toss a kiddo in the air? Or my kiddos jumping on the bed? Cute. But who doesn’t have those photos?
And speaking of my kiddos, will they cooperate? Will they look at the camera when needed? With what will I bribe them? Will the photographer be able to entertain them; keep them happy and engaged; coax a natural smile out of them? And do all of this within the limited amount of time had during the session?
I’ve designed my sessions to remove all these worries from the equation. They’re about photographing your family’s uniques way of being. You don’t have to coordinate outfits. You’ll not be asked to pose. Nor will you be asked to smile. In fact, all moods, emotions, and behaviors are expected and accepted, including meltdowns, shutdowns, avoidance, or refusal to participate. All this, and you’ll still get endearing family photos that you’ll love! So just breathe.
Now, let’s get you session-ready!
“Session Prep Guide” makes it sound like there’s much to be done before your session. But don’t worry. There isn’t! This guide is written simply to inform you of what to expect during our collaboration. It also contains a few helpful tips, so it’s worth reading once you’ve got downtime!
One week before session.
-
If you opted for the payment plan, remember to visit your client portal and pay the remaining balance.
-
If you’ve made special arrangements for the session that require your attention confirm them prior to the day I arrive. For instance, if you’ve hired me to document a session on the day of your kiddo’s birthday, and you’ve ordered a cake, call the bakery to confirm your order.
-
Some kiddos might feel a bit out of sorts when a stranger shows up to hang out. For young children, it can be helpful to ease any potential anxiety by telling them you have a friend coming over — and that he’s bringing a camera to photograph how we play and care for each other. Be upfront with older kiddos: “A photographer is coming to take family photos, but it’s not what you think! We’re doing something different this time around. The photographer is going to hang out with us for much of the day, taking candid photos. That way, no one has to worry about dressing up, posing, or smiling in a way that doesn’t feel natural.”
-
When talking to your kiddos about the upcoming session, don’t promise an after-session reward for participation. Doing so metaphorically “bruises the wine”. It might apply pressure to perform or leave them feeling impatient and eager for the session to end. This change in dynamic alters the outcome of your images, possibly leaving them feeling less genuine and more performative. Instead, treat the day as a reward. It’s a day set aside to make tent forts, battle dragons, or play at the beach!
-
This is a hard one. I know. Have I mentioned that I have a teen? But you probably didn’t hire me to photograph your family hanging out with their devices or in front of the t.v. for much of the session. Consider having a family meeting and make a plan to limit screen time during your session. Discuss what enjoyed activities y’all can do instead. Consider giving your devices a “holiday”. Tuck them away somewhere so the attention often paid to screens is circumnavigated. This doesn’t mean missing important calls or texts. Keep phones within earshot, just not on your person.
One week before the session.
Payment
1
If you opted for the payment plan, remember to visit your client portal and pay the remaining balance.
Confirm arrangements.
2
If you’ve made special arrangements for the session that require your attention confirm them prior to the day I arrive. For instance, if you’ve hired me to document a session on the day of your kiddo’s birthday, and you’ve ordered a cake, call the bakery to confirm your order.
Communicate with kiddos.
3
Some kiddos might feel a bit out of sorts when a stranger shows up to hang out. For young children, it can be helpful to ease any potential anxiety by telling them you have a friend coming over — and that he’s bringing a camera to photograph how we play and care for each other. Be upfront with older kiddos: “A photographer is coming to take family photos, but it’s not what you think! We’re doing something different this time around. The photographer is going to hang out with us for much of the day, taking candid photos. That way, no one has to worry about dressing up, posing, or smiling in a way that doesn’t feel natural.”
Participation is the reward.
4
When talking to your kiddos about the upcoming session, don’t promise an after-session reward for participation. Doing so metaphorically “bruises the wine”. It might apply pressure to perform or leave them feeling impatient and eager for the session to end. This change in dynamic alters the outcome of your images, possibly leaving them feeling less genuine and more performative. Instead, treat the day as a reward. It’s a day set aside to make tent forts, battle dragons, or play at the beach!
Plan to limit screen time.
5
This is a hard one. I know. Have I mentioned that I have a teen? But you probably didn’t hire me to photograph your family hanging out with their devices or in front of the t.v. for much of the session. Consider having a family meeting and make a plan to limit screen time during your session. Discuss what enjoyed activities y’all can do instead. Consider giving your devices a “holiday”. Tuck them away somewhere so the attention often paid to screens is circumnavigated. This doesn’t mean missing important calls or texts. Keep phones within earshot, just not on your person.
One day before session.
Remind your kiddos that a friend is coming over to hang out, and he’ll be photographing how we play, care for each other, etc.
Remind family members that screen time will be limited; instead, they’ll engage in other activities. Model excitement by letting them know what you’re looking forward to.
If you’ve planned any special activities, ensure you have what’s needed to make those activities happen.
Ready yourself for acceptance! Remember, all moods, emotions, and behaviors are welcome during the session. This includes meltdowns, avoidance, or refusal to participate. Tomorrow is about photographing your family’s lived experience!
Eat well, stay hydrated, and get as good a night of rest as you can.
One day before the session.
Remember to:
Remind your kiddos that a friend is coming over to hang out, and he’ll be photographing how we play, care for each other, etc.
Remind family members that screen time will be limited; instead, they’ll engage in other activities. Model excitement by letting them know what you’re looking forward to.
If you’ve planned any special activities, ensure you have what’s needed to make those activities happen.
Ready yourself for acceptance! Remember, all moods, emotions, and behaviors are welcome during the session. This includes meltdowns, avoidance, or refusal to participate. Tomorrow is about photographing your family’s lived experience!
Eat well, stay hydrated, and get as good a night of rest as you can.
Session day
-
Documentary sessions aren’t about you looking your best. They’re about you being you. So forget about coordinating outfits or dressing to the nines. Wear what aligns with your day-to-day style. This applies to all members of the family. Let them bring their sense of fashion to the session — whatever that looks like! Remember to consider the day’s activities and environments, though. Make sure the clothes fit what the day might bring. Oh, and one more thing. Mess happens. If your kiddos clothes get dirty during the session, no worries!
-
A lived-in home is a storied home, so you need not concern yourself with its state of cleanliness. There’s no judgement here because the struggle to keep a house tidy is real! I know. I’m the parent of a teen whose highest priorities have nothing to do with a clean environment.
-
A gentle reminder: you’ve hired me to photograph family members, not to supervise them. You’re the caregiver of your kiddos (and anyone else in the household that requires care) at all times. If I’m left alone with your kiddos, it’s as if they’re unsupervised. For example, if I’m left alone in a room with permanent markers and your kiddo goes Michelangelo on the ceiling, my job isn’t to stop it; rather, it’s to document it so you can look back decades from now and say, “Remember when…”
-
I’ll spend our time together hanging out with my camera at the ready, meandering after people, and waiting for moments to reveal themselves. I’ll follow anyone and everyone around if I feel a photographic opportunity might present itself. But my role as a photographer is to document your family’s unique way of being with care, and empathy. This entails prioritizing your wellbeing over photographic opportunity. That you feel safe, seen, and celebrated during our collaboration is of the utmost importance to me. Remember: I won’t enter a room with a closed door. To me, a closed door communicates privacy.
On a side note, emotive images aren’t made by photographing non-stop. I will put my camera down at times. That doesn’t mean that I’m not working. I’m always observing: looking at lighting, considering composition, and anticipating organic moments.
-
Memorable images don’t come about by always standing upright, at eye-level, several feet away; especially, when working with active kiddos in dynamic environments. I might climb furniture or lie on the floor to make an image. I’ll get in close with the camera. Quite close at times. The said, remember: my priority is your wellbeing. If climbing on a new, pristine couch causes too much stress, let me know. Likewise, if getting into someone’s personal space causes overwhelm for anyone in the family, let me know. A photography session should not be a stressor!
The day of your session.
Forget fashionable.
1
Documentary sessions aren’t about you looking your best. They’re about you being you. So forget about coordinating outfits or dressing to the nines. Wear what aligns with your day-to-day style. This applies to all members of the family. Let them bring their sense of fashion to the session — whatever that looks like! Remember to consider the day’s activities and environments, though. Make sure the clothes fit what the day might bring. Oh, and one more thing. Mess happens. If your kiddos clothes get dirty during the session, no worries!
Don’t stress over mess.
2
A lived-in home is a storied home, so you need not concern yourself with its state of cleanliness. There’s no judgement here because the struggle to keep a house tidy is real! I know. I’m the parent of a teen whose highest priorities have nothing to do with a clean environment.
Caregiving.
3
A gentle reminder: you’ve hired me to photograph family members, not to supervise them. You’re the caregiver of your kiddos (and anyone else in the household that requires care) at all times. If I’m left alone with your kiddos, it’s as if they’re unsupervised. For example, if I’m left alone in a room with permanent markers and your kiddo goes Michelangelo on the ceiling, my job isn’t to stop it; rather, it’s to document it so you can look back decades from now and say, “Remember when…”
My presence.
4
I’ll spend our time together hanging out with my camera at the ready, meandering after people, and waiting for moments to reveal themselves. I’ll follow anyone and everyone around if I feel a photographic opportunity might present itself. But my role as a photographer is to document your family’s unique way of being with care, and empathy. This entails prioritizing your wellbeing over photographic opportunity. That you feel safe, seen, and celebrated during our collaboration is of the utmost importance to me. Remember: I won’t enter a room with a closed door. To me, a closed door communicates privacy.
On a side note, emotive images aren’t made by photographing non-stop. I will put my camera down at times. That doesn’t mean that I’m not working. I’m always observing: looking at lighting, considering composition, and anticipating organic moments.
Positioning myself for moments.
5
Memorable images don’t come about by always standing upright, at eye-level, several feet away; especially, when working with active kiddos in dynamic environments. I might climb furniture or lie on the floor to make an image. I’ll get in close with the camera. Quite close at times. The said, remember: my priority is your wellbeing. If climbing on a new, pristine couch causes too much stress, let me know. Likewise, if getting into someone’s personal space causes overwhelm for anyone in the family, let me know. A photography session should not be a stressor!
Six weeks later
Within six weeks of your session, you’ll receive a curated gallery of fully edited high-res digital photos made available for download through a private online gallery, as well as a print release. You’ll also have an opportunity to order prints. As with your planning session, you can order items online or we can schedule a time to meet in person. Whichever works best for you.
Past Project
The Atlas Project
A bold reimagining of a timeless brand.
Let’s Work TogetherIf you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.