The Ultimate Family
Photoshoot Prep Guide

Because your family’s love story deserves to be documented properly!

14 min read

Hi mama, I'm so excited you're here. Thank you for trusting me to capture the loves of your life. I take this job very seriously, and my goal is to give you photos you'll want to brag about forever! ✨

Before we get into outfits and snacks and all the practical stuff, I want to tell you what a family session with me is actually about.

It's about giving your family a beautiful, fun, unhurried hour together where the only goal is to enjoy each other. Photos are the souvenir, but the experience itself is the gift. Your kids will remember this day. The running around, the snacks, mom and dad goofing off, the photographer who let them be wild. That's the core memory I want to help you create.

And one more thing, mama. This session is also for you. You are usually the one taking the photos, the one capturing every milestone and every random Thursday for your family. Today, you're in the frame. You belong in your family's love story, and these photos are going to prove it.

Now grab a cup of your fav. beverage and let's plan something beautiful together ♥️

Family of five enjoying a picnic in a lavender field at sunset, with two children sitting on an adult's lap, a woman lying backwards, and a man sitting with one child on his lap captured during a golden hour family photo session at La Maison Lavande

What to Expect From Your Family Session

Family sessions with me are about connection, not posing. Here's the quick rundown:

  • Length: About an hour. That's plenty of time to capture lots of variety, move through a few small spots within a bigger location, and still leave room for breaks and snacks (and the occasional toddler meltdown, which we will absolutely roll with).

  • Where: Outdoor or in-home, your choice. I'll walk you through both options below.

  • Who's in the photos: The whole crew. Parents, kids, pets, grandparents if you want them. This is the family session, so bring your people. just please let me know in advance if the grandparents will attend so I can plan accordingly.

  • The vibe: Playful, warm, real. We'll do prompts and games more than poses. The kids will run, climb, laugh, sometimes refuse to participate, sometimes steal the show. All of it is welcome.

Here's the most important thing I want you to know up front: we do not need "well-behaved" kids. We need your kids. Your wild ones, your shy ones, your goofballs, your kid who refuses to smile on command. Their real personalities are exactly what you'll want to remember when you look at these photos in ten years. Not a cookie-cutter version of them. Not the polished holiday card version. Them.

So please don't stress about your kids being perfect. That's not the goal. The goal is real.

A woman and a young girl are laughing and having fun outdoors, with trees in the background during an outdoor family photo session at the Botanical Garden, Montreal
A woman and a young boy are lying on the grass outdoors, laughing and hugging each other at sunset, with purple flowering bushes and trees in the background enjoying an outdoor family photo session at La Maison Lavande, Quebec
A woman and man looking at each other and smiling through a window, holding a baby between them, with reflections of bookshelves on the window glass captured during an in-home family photoshoot in West Montreal
A family of three outdoors, with a woman and man kissing while a young girl is sitting on the man's shoulders, smiling and laughing captured during a family photo session at the Montreal Botanical Garden

Outdoor vs In-Home: How to Choose

Outdoor Sessions (my favourite for families)

Outdoor sessions are the most fun for families, hands down. Why? Because the kids get to do something. They're not just standing around waiting to be photographed. They're exploring, running, playing, picking, climbing, hunting for bugs.

My favourite outdoor family spots in and around Montreal:

  • The Montreal Botanical Garden — slow paced, massive, full of little pockets where kids can play and explore. Beautiful in every season.

  • Flower picking and fruit picking farms — these are gold for families with young kids. The activity keeps them engaged and we get the most natural, joyful photos because the kids are genuinely having fun.

  • Maisonneuve Park — easy access, stroller friendly, classic Montreal greenery.

  • La Maison Lavande — dreamy in summer if you're into that golden lavender field vibe.

  • Cap-Saint-Jacques — perfect for beachy, romantic, golden hour sessions.

If you have a park or spot that means something to your family (your favourite picnic place, where you got engaged, the playground your kids are obsessed with), tell me. We can absolutely use it.

In-Home Sessions

In-home is the cozy, intimate option. Your space, your decor, your everyday rhythms. Morning light through the kitchen window, the kids in their actual rooms, the family dog underfoot. This is the choice if you want to remember exactly what life looked like at this stage, not just what your family looked like.

In-home is also a great option if it's freezing outside, raining, or if you have a baby who's not quite ready for outdoor adventures.

If you go in-home, I have a whole prep guide for getting your space camera-ready 👉 How to Prepare for a Montreal In-Home Photoshoot

Family enjoying time outdoors, mother's hand feeding croissant to father, children watching, in park during a golden hour family photoshoot at the Maisonneuve Park in Montreal
Family celebrating Christmas at home with children dancing and playing near decorated Christmas tree during an in-home family photoshoot in West Montreal

What to Wear

Outfits set the tone for the whole shoot. The goal isn't to look "matchy-matchy" but to look like a coordinated family unit who actually got dressed on purpose. Here's how to get there.

Start With Mom

You are the rockstar of the photoshoot, and I want you to look and feel like the goddess you are. ✨

So mama, pick your outfit first. Something that makes you feel beautiful and confident. Then build the rest of the family's outfits around yours. Coordinate colours and textures with you as the anchor.

A Few Quick Style Rules

  • Pick a palette of 2-4 complementary colours. Soft neutrals work beautifully in nature. Richer tones pop in urban or in-home settings.

  • Mix textures. Denim, linen, knits, soft cottons. Texture adds visual depth without anyone clashing.

  • Play with patterns sparingly. A few pieces with subtle patterns mixed with solids keeps things interesting without overwhelming the eye.

  • Dress for the season. Lighter fabrics for summer, layers for fall and winter, cozy textures for in-home winter sessions.

What to Avoid

  • Logos and neon colours. Both pull the eye away from faces.

  • Trendy pieces you won't love in five years. These photos will be on a wall for a long time. Go classic.

  • Uncomfortable clothing. If anyone (especially a kid) is fidgeting or tugging at their outfit, it shows. Pick clothes everyone can move and play in.

Quick Pinterest Hack

Search "[your photoshoot season] + family outfit ideas" and you'll find hundreds of inspiration images. You probably already own most of what you need. A little mix-and-matching usually does the trick.

Collage of four seasonal outfits: spring with pink floral dress, green shirt, peach top, cardigan, hat, and sandals; summer with white dress, blue shirt, beige shirt, shorts, hat, and sandals; fall with orange dress, plaid shirt, green jacket, jeans, boots, and hat; winter with cream sweater, cable-knit sweater, jean jacket, dress shirt, beige shorts, boots, and hat.

Want Help Choosing?

I love helping clients style their sessions. Text or email me a few outfit photos and I'll tell you what works best on camera. I've also curated a list of outfits I love for each family member 👉 SHOP MY EDIT HERE. You can shop directly through these links (I get a tiny commission, but the price is exactly the same for you).

Preparing Your Kids (and Keeping Them Happy)

This part matters more than the outfits, honestly.

The Real Talk

Here's what I want you to know going in:

  • Kids will be kids. Let them run, jump, get dirty, have fun. Their real personalities are what I'm here to capture.

  • No forced smiles. No "say cheese." That gives you awkward Chandler faces. 😬 We're going for real laughter instead.

  • Imperfection is the whole point. Snot, scraped knees, mismatched socks, a kid who insists on holding a stick the whole time. All of it makes the photo more theirs.

  • Potty jokes are allowed. That's when the real belly laughs come out and the photos get magic.

  • If a kid resists a direction, we pivot. No forcing, no negotiating. We just try something else.

  • Trust me and trust the process. Even chaotic moments turn into beautiful images. I promise.

Snacks and Comfort Items

Bring small, non-messy snacks for emergency hangry moments. Think:

  • Apple slices

  • Halved grapes

  • Marshmallows

  • Mini muffins

Avoid: anything sticky, anything that stains, anything that gets stuck in teeth (looking at you, oreos).

Bring comfort items (lovey, pacifier, favourite toy) only if you're okay with them showing up in some photos. Hide both snacks and comfort items until they're actually needed, otherwise we'll be wrestling them out of kid hands the whole session.

A Quick Word on Bribes

I get it. We've all been there. But try to avoid "if you smile, you get a treat" throughout the session. It usually escalates and the kids start performing for the treat instead of being themselves.

Let the session itself be the reward. An hour of dedicated play time with both parents fully present and zero phones? That's gold for kids. Most of them eat it up.

If you do want to promise a treat, say it once at the start of the session ("if we have fun together, we'll get ice cream after"). Not after every photo.

Help Me Help Them

A few things you can do ahead of time:

  • Brief your kids on what's happening. "We're going to spend time together at the park with a photographer named Jen. We'll play, take some photos, and have fun." The more they know, the more they cooperate.

  • Let me know about any concerns. Camera shyness, nap schedules, allergies, sensory things, whatever. I adapt my approach for every kid.

  • Give them a minute to warm up to me. When I arrive, I introduce myself, hang back a little, and let them check me out before I bring out the camera.

Family of five enjoying a lavender field at sunset, playing, laughing, and hugging each other captured during a golden hour family photo session at La Maison Lavande
A family of four having a picnic outdoors on a blanket, including a man, woman, and two young girls, with trees and fallen apples in the background during an outdoor family photoshoot at the Verger du Flanc Nord
A happy Black family of five enjoying time outdoors under a leafy archway, with two young boys playing and two adults sharing a joyful embrace captured during an outdoor family photo session at the Botanical Garden, Montreal

Including Your Pets

Yes, please bring the dog. (Or the cat, if your cat is the kind that tolerates this. You know your cat.) Pets are part of your family, and they belong in the photos.

Quick Prep Tips

  • Groom them a day or two before. A fresh brush-up makes a big difference. Don't book a groom the morning of (post-groom stress is real).

  • Bring treats, a favourite toy, and a sturdy leash. Treats keep their attention. A familiar toy helps them feel grounded. A leash is essential for outdoor sessions.

  • Practice basic stays. A quick refresh of "sit" and "stay" the morning of helps a lot.

  • If you have a high-energy dog, take them on a long walk before the session. Tired dog, calm dog.

If you're nervous about how your pet will do, tell me. We can plan the session around their needs (shorter pet appearance, photos at the start before they get over-stimulated, etc.).

A man and a pregnant woman playing tug-of-war with a dog in a backyard, with a wooden fence and trees in the background during an in-home maternity photoshoot in Montreal

Timing and Weather

Best Time of Day

  • Outdoor sessions: The hour or two before sunset (the famous "golden hour") gives you that warm, dreamy light that makes everyone look like a movie star. For families with young kids, I sometimes recommend morning sessions instead, when kids are fresh and not on the verge of a meltdown.

  • In-home sessions: Morning is usually best (around 9-10am, depending on the season). The light through your windows is gentle and the kids are typically in a good mood.

Weather

Light rain? Don't reschedule. I have several clear umbrellas and rainy sessions turn into some of the most magical, moody, romantic photos I make. Heavy rain or unsafe weather? We'll reschedule.

For winter sessions, dress warm and bring backup mittens. We'll work fast and take indoor breaks if you need them.

A man is blowing bubbles towards two women sitting in front of a mirror, surrounded by sunflowers and pink flowers in a garden during an outdoor family photo session.

On the Day Itself: A Few Simple Reminders

  • If you're unsure what to do, connect with someone. Hug, tickle, kiss, look at them. The connection is the photo.

  • Look at your kids like they're the cutest, funniest creatures alive. (Because they are.)

  • If your kid does something unexpected, go with it. That's almost always where the best photo comes from.

  • Don't tell the kids ahead of time that there's no discipline. Things escalate fast lol.

  • Eat before you arrive. Pee before you arrive. Trust me on both of these.

  • Bring water and any necessary kid supplies (diapers, wipes, tissues, band-aids, a hairbrush for last-minute touch-ups).

What Happens After the Session?

Once we wrap, I'll professionally edit your images with care and a whole lot of love. In max. 3 weeks, you'll get an online gallery where you can:

  • Download your favourite images

  • Order fine art prints and wall art directly through your gallery

  • Share with grandparents, aunties, and the group chat that's been waiting impatiently

A note from me: please print your photos. Don't let them live on a hard drive forever. Your kids should grow up seeing your family on the walls of your home. And mama, you deserve to be in those photo albums and on those walls.

Screenshot of Pic-Time, the gallery delivery software of Jen Blanco Photography.

A Note for Camera-Shy Moms

So many moms tell me some version of:

"I feel awkward in front of the camera." "I never know what to do with my hands." "I'm always the one taking the photos."

I get it. I'm the camera woman in my own house too. 🥲 But I promise: I'll guide you every step of the way. I'll use prompts, compliment your best angles, tell you when to fix your hair (or fix it myself), and help you feel confident and relaxed. I got you, mama!

You'll look back at these photos and be so glad you let yourself be in them.

If you want to read more about why this matters (especially the part where moms disappear from their own family albums), I wrote a whole blog about it 👉What Actually Happens During a Motherhood Session. Worth a read even if you're not booking a motherhood session.

The Fun Part Begins Now, Mama!

All of these are recommendations, not rules. At the end of the day, I want your whole family to feel comfortable, have a ridiculous amount of fun, and walk away with photos that capture who you actually are. If you have any questions, please reach out. ♥️

Jen!