11 Tips for Taking Awesome Family Holiday Photos w/ Wayfaring Wanderer | Boone Photographer

November and December are, undoubtedly, the busiest months for families looking to have the perfect photo captured for their annual holiday card or easy gift-giving. I send out a handy email with tips to help prepare my clients for their family photos a few days prior to the date we are going to take family pictures. I want to set everyone up for successful family holiday photos this year, so I decided to turn the email I share with my clients into a blog post.


All of the families that I will be working with is something that I look forward to because I love observing and capturing the close connections you have with your loved ones. I can't wait to meet all of the new families I'll be capturing this season during the holiday sessions at the What Fir Tree Farm on Dec. 6th & 7th (btw, I still have a few times lots available. Contact me for more details!).


No matter what season of life you are in whether you are newly engaged or a growing family, these tips can help take the stress out of the process. If you keep these insights in mind you will have a great time and end up with some awesome family pictures that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy!


12 Tips for Taking Awesome Family Holiday Photos. 

1. Coordinate your wardrobe, but not too much! - There is a fine line between coordinating and being too matchy matchy. Make this easy by choosing one main color and then select other outfits with complementary patterns or colors (think earthtones or varying shades of the same color) to build on the overall style for the family.


You do not have to match. In fact, it looks better when you don’t. A pop of color is always great! You’ll want to steer clear of shirts with large logos and limit patterns to only one person because it can be distracting otherwise. Above all, make sure you are comfortable in whatever you decide to wear, too!


2. Dress for the weather! I recommend that you check Raysweather.com to see how the weather is going to be for the location we are shooting in. If it is going to be cold, wear sweaters, coats, and gloves. We can briefly remove these items (for adults) if you want photos without them; however, it's best to be warm and cozy because if you're freezing it will, oftentimes, show in your photos and it's not really flattering. Make sure that everyone is bundled up and has on enough layers to stay warm. It's better to have more than what you need than not enough, I say, especially since these holiday family sessions take place outside!

3. Get Plenty of Rest! - Get to bed early and get a good night's sleep. Happy children = beautiful portraits. Rested parents = beautiful portraits. Also, when scheduling your time for photos don't forget to factor in naps and when those usually occur.

                       

4. Make Sure You Eat! - Fill the bellies of all session participants beforehand, if possible. This is especially true for young children and DADS! No one is happy when they’re hungry. Have snacks and water on hand just in case. Snacks can also be good for “bribing” the tots because they like to have treats to look forward to after the family photos are done! My suggestion would be to make sure that whatever snack you bring isn't too messy like crackers and won't turn their mouth blue like a lollipop. Nope, I won't photoshop that out either! :P



5. Don't Forget Props! - Bring along any small, meaningful items you'd like to incorporate into your session. A handmade quilt is a great prop to include and it can be used for sitting on the ground and staying warm! Comfort items for the little ones are also a good idea to include such as a special stuffed animal or toy. Think about what you might and might not want showing up in your final images. You don’t want to bring items that are too large or that will distract from their smiles!

                       

6. Arrive Early! - Arrive 15 minutes early to give yourself plenty of time to prepare and for last minute issues that may arise like a bathroom break if there is one nearby. Any amount of time that you're late to a photoshoot will directly impact the length of your session. Meaning, it will be deducted at the end which shortens the amount of time that you have.


7. Relax and just have fun! - The best photos are the candid ones of you being a family rather than the posed ones. We'll get some of those, too, but try to relax, play, and be yourselves. Don't focus on what you want the result to be and just enjoy the experience. You’ll get the best (and most natural) photos that way. My goal is to capture real moments as they unfold.

If mom and dad are stressed, then chances are the kids are going to pick up on that. Do your best to go into the shoot as relaxed as possible and realizing things might get a little hectic! With that being said, I'm all about making the shoot as fun and laid back as possible, so we'll do our best to keep everyone happy. Just know that if your toddler doesn't want to sit still that it's totally okay. Sometimes we have to let the little ones call the shots in order to keep the peace and their cooperation!


8. Be in the Moment! - Don’t feel as though you must be looking at the camera at all times in order for me to capture magical moments. Mom and Dad can be looking at the baby, Mom and Dad can be looking at each other, etc. Switch your gaze from the camera to your loved ones. Of course, I will let you know when I want you to do something different by directing you, so don’t worry about how you’re doing because I like to guide you along the way.

                     

9. Crazy is OKAY! -The main objective of ALL of my photoshoots is to ensure that everyone is having a good time. I want your experience to be fun and stress free even if things don’t go according to plan and smiles don’t happen on cue. If you have a toddler, it's likely they will have their own ideas about what they want to do, which is perfectly fine.


I’m used to toddlers keeping me on my toes so it’s not a problem if they want to break free from Mom and Dad to explore on their own. I will gladly follow with my camera in-hand as they play! Taking tiny breaks helps them go the distance so they aren't being bombarded with posed shots the whole time, too, so it's a win/win.

10. Watch For Preview! - Wait anxiously for your sneak peek and start planning how you'd like to display your new images. I recommend that you "like" the Wayfaring Wanderer FB page if you want to see a preview within 24-hours! Another sneak peek with a handful of images will also be posted within 7 days here on the blog while you're waiting to see your final images, so be on the lookout for that, too! It, typically, takes 14 business days before you'll get notification that your final gallery is ready to be viewed. My holiday turnaround time this year is a lightning fast 48-hours!

11. See it for yourself! - Last but not least...spend a quick 10-minutes watching this video with more great tips on achieving “Family Photos with Natural Emotion” which is something that I strive for when photographing families.

Let me know if you found these tips useful or if there's anything that I should add. I'd love to hear from you in the comments! 

If you want to be notified when I release details of my next giveaway or promotion, I encourage you to subscribe to the Weekly Wander so that you can be the first to know as soon as details are announced! **NEW** Christmas Family Photo Session dates will be published in this week's newsletter, and those on my list will get first dibs on the special offer I'm sharing! » GET NOTIFICATIONS

Boone NC Wedding Photographer | Wayfaring Wanderer | Jessica MacedaHi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

Featured LINKS }

» Remove Holiday Stress w/ SHORT + SWEET Family Photo Sessions
» Snider Family Adventure on the Greenway Trail in Boone, NC
» No More Boring Family Photos! | Choose Your Adventure Family Photography
» Pennington Family Adventure at Valle Crucis Park 
» Scott Family Hiking Adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Snider Family Adventure | Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

Meet the Snider family! They were the winners of the "Share the Wander" photo contest I did this month. To WIN a family photo session with me all they had to do was share an image from any family adventure and post it directly to the Wayfaring Wanderer FB page along with a sentence or two about the picture and why you love going on adventures with your family. I'm a sucker for a good story!

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

Kelly posted an adorable image of Ian with Fina Mae on his shoulders and captioned it with,

"This is a snapshot from our first beach adventure as a family this September. It was so much fun to enjoy the ocean with our little girl! She loved the wind and water and getting to spend loads of quality time with daddy and mama. We love the way being parents allows us to see the world with new eyes."

It didn't require soliciting your FB friends for a bunch of likes, I simply put the names of all of the entries in a jar and picked a submission at random. While I think all of the families that entered would have been a blast to work with, I'm so happy that Kelly participated in the contest and won the session because they were such a sweet family to work with.

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

I know them already since they live in the Boone area—it's such a small town—and we have also purchased from their booth on occasion at the Watauga County Farmers' Market.

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

I've also had the pleasure of being the wedding photographer at an event where Kelly and Ian played music for the couples' ceremony. They are an incredibly talented family and make beautiful music together. Kelly is also in a band, The Sheets Family Band, and they play old-time music at events and weddings, too.

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

I was serenaded by the couple as they sang a song about a rooster to soothe their baby girl when she started getting finicky.

It was surprising how calm she was throughout most of the session, although smiles were harder to come by despite the ridiculous noises I was making to amuse her.

Fina Mae was attached to her banjo-shaped wooden rattle, it kept her pretty happy. There's no doubt that she'll be playing along side her parents in no time!

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

Their family photos took place on the Greenway Trail here in Boone, North Carolina where we braved the wintry weather for their holiday session.

Miss Fina Mae was eight months old on the day we did their pictures. I'm glad I got to help them celebrate this milestone by capturing the memories of this special day for them.

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

After we met up, they told me that it's been a while since they've visited the Greenway Trail. They don't live in town so it's not a place they venture to. I'm happy that it was a new adventure for the three of them. I love shooting at this location and do so regularly because it's such a pretty spot for outdoor family photos!

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

I inadvertently sent the three on a detour because they parked at the opposite end of where we were supposed to meet, so they had to trek a bit to get to the area where I was located.

I felt so bad that they had to walk further than they needed to, but they didn't seem to mind, and I suppose it was a great way to get their blood pumping before the photoshoot!

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

One of my main concerns of any session during the winter is to ensure that the baby / toddler / children stay cozy and are bundled up; I'm super paranoid about babies staying warm!

As soon as I saw the family walk up, I didn't waste any time starting our session. We jumped right in because I wanted to make the most of our short 30 minutes together, and because it was freezing!

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

As brief as our time may have been it was a pleasure photographing this snugly family of three. Thank you so much to the Snider's and everyone who participated in the Share the Wander Photo Contest for a Short + Sweet Session with me!


It was a lot of fun reading the entries and seeing your adventures in the photos that were shared. All of those happy faces reminds me of why I'm so grateful to do what I do because I get to be a part of creating memories just like this for the families and couples I have the honor of working with.

Short + Sweet Family Photography Session WINNER | Boone, NC Photographer

 Thank you for your support, it means the world to me. Because of you I get to do what I love another day! 

If you want to be notified when I release details of my next giveaway or promotion, I encourage you to subscribe to the Weekly Wander so that you can be the first to know as soon as details are announced! Christmas Photo Session dates will be published in this week's newsletter, and those on my list will get first dibs on the special offer I'm sharing! » GET NOTIFICATIONS

Friends of WW that don't live close enough to WIN a photosession with me, I'll be hosting a series of giveaways after Thanksgiving that include some of my favorite things because I don't want you to feel left out! That's all I'm going to say about this for now. ;-)

Boone NC Wedding Photographer | Wayfaring Wanderer | Jessica MacedaHi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

Featured LINKS }

» Remove Holiday Stress w/ SHORT + SWEET Family Photo Sessions
» No More Boring Family Photos! | Choose Your Adventure Family Photography
» Pennington Family Adventure at Valle Crucis Park 
» Hersey Family Reunion Adventure on Lake James, NC
» Scott Family Hiking Adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Remove Holiday Stress w/ Short + Sweet Family Photo Sessions | Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Photographer

"You must have the patience of a saint!" Alyce proclaimed. "I promise you, it's not the first time I've had to deal with something like that! It happens pretty often." I assured her.

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography

We both couldn't help but laugh as we recalled the full-body tantrums that their two-year-old toddler, Kelby, was having during our family photo session earlier this week at Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, NC.

I got to see the kid-free couple the next night at Speakeasy Tattoo's Annual Beard & Moustache Competition so we recounted the ups and downs with beers in-hand.

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography | Bass Lake Blowing Rock, NC

In all honesty, I'm used to headstrong youngsters that have a mind of their own. It's rare for kids to cooperate without some (or a lot of) coaxing, which is why it's imperative to have some tricks up your sleeve.

You're doing good if you can get them to comply whether it's through bribes or turning it into a fun game. Even then you still might not be lucky enough to get them with a smile on their face!

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography | Bass Lake Blowing Rock, NC

No matter how crazy the session might feel during our time together, I always manage to walk away with authentic images that will bring you happy memories regardless of how effortless the photoshoot was. It's the reason I have a system and why I like to spend time helping my clients plan and prepare for their family pictures beforehand.

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography | Bass Lake Blowing Rock, NC

Of course, we ALL want the session to run smoothly without any hiccups but that's not the reality most of the time. Adventures don't work like that, but that's why they are fun!

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography | Bass Lake Blowing Rock, NC




The family and maternity photography I did for the Miceli family (pictured below) on the Greenway Trail in Boone, NC was another session that presented some obstacles because the weather wasn't agreeing with us. 

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NC

You would never be able to tell by how graceful this mama looks but there was a whole lot of craziness going on while this maternity photo was being taken. We were enduring some super strong winds and frigid Boone weather. Fingers were frozen and tears were turning to icicles (pretty much). 

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Maternity Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NC

Just before we were getting ready to cut the session short by 15-minutes and retreat to the warmth of our vehicles, I urged her to let me take a couple more shots by herself since Dad and toddler weren't having any more of it. I'm happy to be the "just one more shot" person when I need to be because she looks so lovely!

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Maternity Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NC

It's true, your family pictures might not go according to plan because there are a ton of factors that could potentially affect the outcome, but I can guarantee that it will be an adventure and that afterward I will deliver images you will love even if they aren't "perfect!"

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family & Maternity Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NC

Outdoor family photography sessions can be unpredictable when it comes to how your children might react or how the weather will affect the photoshoot, but I *am* incredibly patient and extremely flexible, and it's my job to do whatever I can to make the most of any challenging situation we're dealing with whether it's super high winds and bitter cold or temper tantrums.

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Family & Maternity Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NC
Short + Sweet Sessions are geared toward adventurous families that enjoy spending time together outdoors making new memories. I'm taking the fuss out of getting your pictures made, 30-minutes is just enough time to capture the family and keep things simple. And with my lightning fast 14-day turnaround, you'll have your family pictures in time to use for holiday cards and photo gifts.

Boone & Blowing Rock, NC Maternity Photography | Greenway Trail Boone, NCSHORT + SWEET SESSIONS are 299 + tax and you get a 30-minute session for up to four (4) immediate family members—$25 per person after four, minimum of 10 high-resolution digital downloads, & all images will be posted in an online PASS gallery within 14-business days of your session. This package is part of the portrait marathon that will run until December 7th, 2014.

ALL ADVENTURES INCLUDE:

» Location of your choice in Boone, Blowing Rock, or Valle Crucis, NC (depends on availability)

» Minimum of 10 high-resolution digital downloads

» A lightning fast 14-business day turnaround time

» Website to share with family and friends for viewing and ordering

» A mobile (iOS or Android) app so you have access to your photos on and offline

» Instant access to high-resolution digital downloads—no waiting for a DVD in the mail

» Online backup for 10-years so you can rest assured that your memories are safe for a decade

The dates I have available in Nov & Dec are extremely LIMITED and are on a first-come first-serve basis, so you must ACT FAST! Keep in mind, too, that the longer you wait, the colder it gets! You have until December 7th to book a family holiday photo session with me before I close down until January 2015.

Visit the session shop for more pricing details. » BOOK ONLINE

I'm hosting a few fun giveaways this week for the WW Friend of the Week (details were released in last week's newsletter), and a special Geocaching Giveaway that will be announced in this week's Weekly Wander. Weekly Wander subscribers will get the details first. I recommend that you get notifications so you don't miss those announcements! » GET NOTIFICATIONS

Boone NC Wedding Photographer | Wayfaring Wanderer | Jessica MacedaHi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

Featured LINKS }

» NOVEMBER PORTRAIT MARATHON
» No More Boring Family Photos! | Choose Your Adventure Family Photography
» Pennington Family Adventure at Valle Crucis Park 
» Hersey Family Reunion Adventure on Lake James, NC
» Scott Family Hiking Adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

Just one day after Dennis proposed, I received an email from Kim inquiring about engagement photos. They wanted to go back to the spot where he popped the question and was wondering if Linville Falls was a place I would consider going.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

I eagerly emailed her back with a response and told her how much I love hiking there myself, and that working with adventurous folks is what I do so this type of engagement photography was right up my alley!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

We couldn't have asked for better weather on the day of their engagement pictures. It was unseasonably warm for this time of year but it made for a beautiful Fall day! Even though it was past the peak of the season, that didn't stop vacationers from visiting Linville Falls to catch a glimpse of the popular waterfall. There were so many people there that day that it was nearly impossible to find a parking space!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

Normally, when I meet with a couple I haven't had the opportunity to see them face-to-face since they aren't from the Boone area, so it's kind of a game to guess who it is I might be looking for sometimes. I was up at the visitor's center searching faces, trying to find someone else who was also looking around. I finally spotted Kim and Dennis after I noticed them studying the folks walking by. They were also a dead giveaway once I saw that they were wearing matching Panthers jerseys!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

After a change of clothes, we started their session at the bridge behind the visitor center since there was still a little fall color left on the trees. As I mentioned earlier, this place was packed so there were tons of people walking by and watching us. Yep, it was a little uncomfortable and awkward for them to be looking into each others eyes and smooching in front of complete strangers but they carried on and laughed a lot despite the curious onlookers!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

The next stop was to hike to the spot where Dennis proposed which was a smaller trail called Dugger's Creek. There was a small cascade there where a narrow bridge crossed the gentle stream. It's where he stopped Kim in the middle of the bridge and got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. I totally had him reenact the scene, of course!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

Our original plan was to then hike down to the bottom of the Linville Gorge and finish out the rest of their engagement photos on the river, however, time got away from us with the hiking back-and-forth and multiple outfit changes.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

Once we were done taking photos up top near the parking area, we weren't going to be able to hike down to the bottom. I feared that we wouldn't make it back up before losing light, and I didn't want to take that chance, especially since the ranger told us that it took 1-hour round-trip and that was all the time we had before the sunset. It was a little disappointing but we came up with another idea instead.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

The Linville Falls Winery was just around the corner, and it was also a place that they visited the weekend they got engaged, so we quickly hiked back to the vehicles, huffing and puffing all the way, and headed over to the winery before they closed.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

We almost didn't make it because they were closing in the next 6-minutes, but that gave us just enough time for Kim and Dennis to grab a glass of their Blueberry Wine, so they could sit and enjoy a sip or two before we continued their engagement shoot.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

The grapevines made for a perfect place to traipse around for their engagement portraits! I'm really glad that its where we ended up even though it wasn't part of the plan because I love the images that I captured of this fun-loving couple bathed in golden light.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

It was funny that on my way to meet Kim and Dennis for their session that I passed by the winery and though that it would be a nice place for engagement pictures. I didn't realize at the time that that's where were would end up!

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

That's what going on adventures is all about! Sometimes things don't go according to plan so you have to go with the flow and that's what Kim and Dennis did.

Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure | Boone NC Engagement Photographer

CONGRATULATIONS to Kim + Dennis on your engagement and upcoming marriage. I wish you two lovebirds epic adventures in life and love, and I hope that your relationship and connection will grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement at Linville Falls. I had such a blast with you two! Hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I work on your full gallery.

Ready to book your exclusive Choose Your Adventure Session?

Simply send me an email at wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com or message me through my website contact form and I'll get you on the schedule ASAP! Availability is limited, only 10853 spaces left for engagement photos in 2014!

I'm hosting some fun giveaways in November for the Fan of the Week and a special Geocaching Giveaway that will be announced in this week's Weekly Wander if you want a chance to WIN a FREE session. Weekly Wander subscribers will get the details first. I recommend that you sign up for notifications so you don't miss those announcements! GET NOTIFICATIONS

Boone NC Wedding Photographer | Wayfaring Wanderer | Jessica MacedaHi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

Featured LINKS }

» Choose Your Adventure Portrait Marathon (Nov ONLY)
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure
» Ali + JB's Engagement Adventure at Grandfather Golf
» Logen + Nick's LGBT Engagement in Downtown West Jefferson