Happy Friday! I’m really blessed to say that my photography business is flourishing. I am truly amazed by all the wonderful people that come to be in front of my camera in beautiful Oahu. With that said and having photographed a few hundred families, I’d like to offer some photo shoot tips. “WHAT?! Don’t we just show up and you take our pictures?” Well, yes and no. Oahu, Hawaii, or any of our beautiful islands is absolutely tropical paradise, but there are some things that you should know to better prepare yourself for an awesome time with me, shooting the breeze (pun intended!)
Tip #1: Bring water. Depending on when our session is, morning or sunset, it’s always a good idea to bring some water for yourself and those with you (especially those kiddo’s!). Especially during the morning, as the hour goes by, the sun gets higher and the weather get’s warmer. Sometimes there is a welcome, refreshing breeze, sometimes there is not. We also do not stay in one spot and often times we are walking in the sand, to get to where we need to be. Having some bottled water with you will hydrate you and keep you breezy.
Tip #2: Wear sun protection. I know this sounds like a No Brainer, but this is extremely important for your little one’s that are out there in the sun with us. Family memories are fun, but little sun burns on young skin is no fun, so please remember to lather up really well before our session.
Tip#3: Be sure the kids are well fed beforehand. Mom’s and dad’s biggest wish is for their children to cooperate for the hour during our photo session… full tummies go a long way. Bring snacks if you have to! I don’t mind at all… as long as you share with me 🙂
Tip #4: If you have scheduled a sunset shoot, be mindful of your activities during the day, especially with young one’s under 6. A full day of play under the sun AND a sunset shoot might be more than what they can handle. Not to mention, it becomes a challenge for mom and dad during our shoot as well.
Tip #5: Now listen up mom’s (and dad’s too), don’t be a Helicopter Mom. What’s that? Don’t hover over your children, pretty please!? This tends to put the kids in a sour mood right away… especially the pre-teens… oh boy, with the pre-hormonal stuff going on and the “Stand up straight!” or the dreaded “Don’t smile like that!” from mom or dad… well, this doesn’t go over too well with them and I can see it in my camera (I’ve got 3 of them at home, so I can totally relate, see the pic above- I call them Happy, Grumpy and Dreamy. Those are mine.). So mom’s, leave the comb at home, try to bite your lip a little bit and relax. Let the kids be kids and be good with that going into our photo shoot. The more they are relaxed and themselves, the more they will open up to my camera and their true personalities will shine through.
Tip #6: Be ok with things not going with how you planned in your minds eye. This is a huge one. Beautiful images take work…. The images that I capture for my families, we have a TON of fun, I mean LOADS of FUN, but we also have to “work” to get the photos in that perfect location. We will be walking in the sand, someone might stub their toe on a hidden rock in the sand, toddler boy will throw sand everywhere, we will probably get wet, baby girl will be crying 15 minutes into our session and be done, all the ladies out there, your hair WILL move in the wind/breeze (wind blown hair is sexy hair!!) , we may be tiptoeing strategically through lava rock to get to the other side, it might by totally overcast with no sunset, it might sprinkle a little rain, your flip flop might be carried away into the surf! … stuff will happen and be OK with it. Be in the moment and just enjoy!
Tip#7: Come prepared to have fun! Come prepared to let your guard down a little, flirt with your husband, flirt with your wife, hug your kids as tight as you can, LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH, HUG, HUG, HUG, hold hands, take a moment and tell each other that you are thankful for each other! Give me your love and I will show it to you!
Tip #8: What kind of wardrobe should you wear? Click this link and read through my suggestions.
Tip #9: Trust your photographer. Trust me. No doubt, you’ve been through my website, found me on Pinterest, checked out my FaceBook FanPage, read some Yelp reviews, peered into my personal iphone pics through Instagram…. and you said to yourself, “OH MY GAWD, She HAS to take our photographs!!” Just know that I would be honored to. Photography is my full time passion, besides raising my kids to be responsible adults, this is what I do when I’m not sleeping, keeping house or eating. I love to photograph the connection and unspoken love between people. I’m just one of the lucky ones who get’s to call Hawaii my home and this beautiful island in the Pacific is the backdrop to your connection when you get in front of my camera. Call it what you want: “pictures, photos, portraits, candids,”…. They are your vacation memories and I’m really happy to be there with you capturing it. I can’t wait to meet you!
Tip #10: Just enjoy and live Aloha…
