https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 15:01:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professional-family-photos-ideastips-props#post-2345987 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:27:24 +0000 HLK208 2345987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't go with props just because they don't look very natural or timeless to me. I let my photographer know beforehand that we really wanted a portrait style photo of our family most and then individual portraits of the kids. The other photos were just of the kids playing together. My 1 and 3 year old only lasted about 10 minutes for the portraits (but she got some decent ones within that time) and then they were happy playing, dancing, chasing each other for the rest of the session. Which was good because the photographer captured their REAL, true smiles during that time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professional-family-photos-ideastips-props#post-2345976 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:20:04 +0000 mauxie 2345976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Yes-- I think the kids always turn out especially cute in the candid ones. </p> <p>Just went through the photog's blog and saved a few pics of hers that I'm hoping we can mimic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professional-family-photos-ideastips-props#post-2345914 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:22:39 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2345914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: I look up different family poses that I like and ask the photographer to grab some of those. I also like the candid ones that really capture the love without being posed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professional-family-photos-ideastips-props#post-2345906 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:16:18 +0000 mauxie 2345906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a mini session for fall family photos scheduled for this weekend, and I'm curious to know if any of you have any tips or (small) prop ideas. We'll likely be using these photos for our Christmas cards. </p> <p>Last year, my sis took our pics so the kids were comfortable and it was very laid back. She let me check the viewfinder as she took photos and I would tell her what I liked/didn't like. </p> <p>This year, we are going back to using a professional photographer. I used this lady 2 years ago and her style is more journalistic. She doesn't set up the shoot (at a park) in any particular way, and doesn't really provide props. I'm okay with no props but at the same time, think they might be useful in getting the kids (1 and 3) to cooperate, hehe. </p> <p>I had asked her last time to give us a bit more direction since DH and I both feel kind of awkward in front of the camera. She did, to a degree, but most of her shots were just candid (walking around the park, LO holding a stick and smiling, looking at the nearby horse stables). They did turn out nice but I also would like some more portrait type family shots. Towards the end of the session, she laid out a blanket for us and we took some more staged-looking photos, but I didn't end up purchasing those..... </p> <p>Should I kindly ask her again from the start to give us some direction? Should I bring some examples of what I like (on my phone)? </p> <p>When you're on a family-shoot, do you just smile and pretend you're doing things as you naturally would around the park, lol?? I just feel so self conscious around cameras as it is! I would rather be told "sit/stand this way and look here!" </p> <p>Any info/tips appreciated. Thanks! :) </p>