Tips for your family pictures at the beaches or park

With Lily and Ander around, and almost being nice outside, it comes naturally to go back to do a lot more family pictures. For the beaches area or Woodbine park ( in Toronto ) there is no travel fee! so have a nice day at the beach and book your session.
Do not worry though, I still do sexy shots, but when you hire me you have the advantage that I am looking out for you and making you look good. It’s not just about the kids. All though they are cute.

1- Just bring your individual taste to the picture. A good rule is parents neutral and kids can go crazy. Avoid the typical jeans and the exact same white t-shirt. A nice one is for boys to wear jeans and girls dresses.
2- DO NOT WEAR BUSY PATTERNS. I can date a picture from a pattern. Keep it simple. Also, avoid big trendy logos on boys shirts. Except Batman. ( I love Batman- or any superhero motif for that matter ). Boys look great with a shirt with a collar, even if it’s a golf shirt.
3- Wear something that you’ve tried and tested. It has to be comfortable, it has to fit, it has to boost your confidence. It shows in the picture.
4- Makeup. For this one put on some mascara, blush and lip tint as a minimum. Foundation and eyeliner are a bonus, and undereye concelear is needed most times 🙂 . Lips stains are the way to go to have a natural reddish pout that lasts through the shoot.

For guys: brush your eyebrows, if you have dark eyes circles you can even wear a dab on concealer. Be careful when you shave to avoid nicks and do wear lip balm for a smooth pout.
5- Hair. Natural is best, hats… only if you really want to and you wear it every day. Style your hair the day before, it looks more natural and less done. Spray fly-aways.
6- Shoes- slip on shoes so we can go in the sand. Heels for mom look great but have an extra pair of flats so we can walk around grassy areas without sinking


EXTRAS
– A baby or picnic blanket to avoid grass stains and sand travelling other places.
– A favourite toy for me to hold to keep baby/kids attention.

LOCATION
– Your home is easier for the smaller members of your family. Clear a room of toys and  that is it! We will venture outside weather permitting.
– The beaches! Where I mostly shoot. it has everything, a park area, a dock area with water and the sandy beach.

TIME
Best time to shoot outside is before 10 am or before sunset ( spring and summer around 6:30 – 7 pm )
Indoor shoots – around your babies nap time – babies have a good mood window – usually mornings.

POSING
We are aiming for natural and casual but have some things in consideration.
Keep it touchy-feely, look into each other, tickle – play and interact.
For group shots inspiration: http://pinterest.com/marlenjames/group-family-poses/ will keep posting!
Toddlers are especially tricky and buzzfeed agrees: http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/reasons-kids-are-pretty-much-just-tiny-drunk-adults. It makes me giggle. The thing is to keep them occupied, that’s where the park comes in handy. And the action shots are sometimes my favourites.