Portland Family Photographer – Outdoor Fall Photo Session

Tips for helping your Family Photo Session go smoothly by Portland Family Photographer Emilie Phillipson Photography.

Let’s start with a scenario.

Scroll down, please.

Scenario: You hired me for photos. You want dreamy images. You want candid images of your family. You want (correction: need) adorable, emotional photos of yourself with your babies. You want a Christmas Card Photo. You want to document the amazing little features on your children’s faces because they’re growing up just way too darned fast.

You are also very worried that your children won’t cooperate. Maybe you’ve described them as feral before (mayyybeeeee looking at myself). Maybe you’re not feeling the love with your spouse because there *may* have been a little stress-induced quarrel trying to get out the door.

Has this scenario ever happened before? Guess what? You’re not alone.

I know how stressful it can feel to get ready for a photoshoot. I know this because we get our own photos done each year, too. I want you to feel relaxed when you’re with me. I want you to enjoy being engaged with your family and think of our time together as an outing with your family and a chance to make memories–not something to anxiously (and awkwardly) get through and checked off your to-do list.

So how do we get there?

One, it starts with the whole EPP experience. I take care of as many things as possible before your session so that you can focus on your family. Wardrobe? I gotcha. I have tons of client dresses and even some kid outfits you can try on before your session. I also help style a whole coordinating look. Picking a location? I have a whole guide that covers all corners of the Portland area for that! Worried your kids won’t cooperate? Husband not thrilled to be doing the photo thing? I have a solution for that, too! Hi, I’m Emilie and I like to take care of my friends. Prep, prep, prep. You won’t go into a session with me feeling blind.

Two, we get there by saying goodbye to your expectations of what you think a photo session should be like. We are not trying to coerce fake smiles and stiff-straight bodies out of your children. We are not trying to get through a shot list of xxx groupings of people combos as quickly as possible. That’s just not grounds for any sort of natural, loving, playful, fun, emotive imagery.

Will I get a group photo of everyone looking at the camera? Absolutely.

Will I still be able to capture gorgeous portraits of your beautiful babes? You bet. But I promise, we aren’t going to be able to artfully showcase relationships by forcing you and your kids to awkwardly stand next to one another, stiff as a board. And honestly, those are just not the memories I want to you associate with our time together, either. So let go of your expectations, let go of photo session memories of the past, and let’s have fun and create some magical moments that are true to your family. I’ll lead the way; you just need to show up, follow, and do what you do best, which is to love on those babies of yours.

Fall Outdoor Photos with Portland Family Photographer Emilie Phillipson Photography based in Portland, Oregon

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to walk you through my process and start dreaming up a beautiful session with you and your family!

If you want to inquire, ask a question, or say hello, you can always email direct or drop an inquiry here! Until next time, Emilie.