Location
Choose a location that reflects your lifestyle. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, then a park or hiking trail could be a great location for you. If you are more likely to relax at home, then we could take photos at your house or favorite coffee shop. If you're more drawn to a city lifestyle, we could wander around an urban area for your portraits. Think about your hobbies, sports, and daily activities, and pick a setting that will be meaningful to you when you look at the photos many years from now.
Timing
The best time of day for portraits is about two hours before sunset, when the sun is lower in the sky and the light is flattering.
Clothing
Wear clothing that is comfortable and will not distract. You may end up doing a lot of walking during your photo shoot, so wear comfortable shoes. Choose colors that look good next to the colors that the rest of your family will be wearing. I recommend solid colors or simple patterns; avoid bold patterns that will draw attention away from your faces in the photos. I don't recommend having everyone in the family wear the same clothing, because I want each of you to showcase your own personalities.
Make up
Wear the same style of make up that you would wear on a normal day. Select colors that look natural on your skin tone, and avoid experimenting with new colors before the photo shoot. Consider bringing powder or blotting papers to eliminate shine during the photo shoot. You want to look like yourself in these photos, so avoid experimentation with makeup colors or hairstyles.
Children
Choose a time of day when your children have been fed and are well rested. Let your children run around and have fun during the photo shoot -- in fact I actively encourage it. Children's most beautiful expressions occur when they are doing something fun. I'm likely to run around with them, to keep the mood lighthearted and fun. I will not ask your children to sit still and smile for the camera unless I feel that they are in the mood for it.
Activities
Plan an experience that will make the photo shoot fun for your family. Bring your guitar, ride your bikes, go to the zoo, or have a picnic with the kids. When your kids are grown up, they will remember the great day they had with their family when those photos were taken.
