I’ve had photos done over and over again over the years, but this last session I realized something powerful. Something that changed the experience of the photos.
In the past, I’d simply told my family we were having family photos done. “This is going to be fun!” “It’s so special!” Please listen to the photographer, or please listen to me.
I had visions in my head about how I expected the session to go, how it would look and feel, but it stopped there. Those details felt too immense and nuanced to even consider communicating.
The years passed and I grew. And somewhere in those years I learned to communicate my needs. I realized that for our session I could be very clear with my family about what I expected of them. More than just “listen to the photographer.” The kind of deep down in your heart expectations, the stuff you wish would happen. I would say it.
In my case, I told them “I want you to run up to me as many times as you can. I want you to hold my hand, give me hugs. You couldn’t hug me enough! You couldn’t hold my hand enough!” And I told them this several times over the week leading up to the session, including a reminder on the way to the session.
I did the same with my husband. “I want you to be affectionate, I want your hugs!”
These are the kinds of details I wanted to be captured in the photos. In the past, I just hoped they’d naturally happen. And those moments did occur, but not as often as I’d hoped. And even when they did, the photographer didn’t know how much I wanted them captured.
The session where I communicated these wishes directly to my family many times, we have so many snuggles!! My kids were so kind and affectionate with me! It was a dream.
How do you know what you want?
That, I can’t say. I’d say imagine the images in your mind, and grasp on to any detail that comes forward. What is happening? Is everyone really put together and looking their best? Is everyone smiling at the camera? Or is everyone doing their own thing, together, in a very natural way?
The moments we envision capturing are not the same, and you’re totally free to embrace and honor yours.
Another pointer (and I did not communicate this with my photographer, but I will next time): tell your photographer what you told your family! Then they’ll know what moments to keep an eye on for you.
I hope this helps. I think it’s one of the biggest levers you can pull to get the most out of your photographs.