Fall shoots are underway, which is peak season for family photos! I know family photos can be stressful for a lot of people. Maybe it’s because you've had a bad experience in the past; or maybe you are nervous how your kids will behave; or maybe it’s your family’s first time doing a photo shoot! Whatever the reason may be, here are my 5 BEST TIPS for a successful photo shoot so you can get the most out of your photography experience!

1) Plan your outfits ahead of time.

I recommend to start planning as soon as you lock down a date! Trying to figure out everyone’s outfits the day of your session can be stressful, and leave you feeling rushed and disorganized.

I recommend to layout ALL your clothing next to each other once you have a general idea of your color scheme. Seeing all the pieces come together will help you make any adjustments and/or determine if you need to purchase any items.

Need outfit tips and inspiration? Check out my Fall and Winter Pinterest board!

2) Eat a snack beforehand.

Who else get hangry when they're hungry? We’ve all been there, and kids will especially be less likely to cooperate when hungry. Thus I highly recommend having a snack about 1 hour before the shoot. I also encourage you to pack a few snacks in your bag just in case!

Happy kids = happy photos!

3) Leave extra time to get ready.

Feeling RUSHED is a very stressful feeling. I HIGHLY encourage to give yourself lots of extra time to get the whole family ready. Leave MORE time than you think to accommodate showers, getting dressed, hair styling, etc.

When a family shows up to a photo session rushed and disorganized, it often impacts the session and leaves a stressful tone during the shoot. However, if a family shows up relaxed and happy, I can’t emphasize the difference it makes in photos!

4) Prepare your spouse and children.

Shoots go so much more smoothly when BOTH parents are cheerfully participating in the shoot (and your kids pick up on it, too!). If your spouse dreads getting photos taken, please let them know I’m going to do everything I can to make the shoot relaxing and fun. I also want to provide a gentle reminder on how important it is to capture family photos. These are precious images that will capture your LEGACY and will be cherished for future generations!

Also, let your kids know how long the shoot will be, and ask them what photos THEY are hoping to capture. Give them a chance to participate and let them feel like this shoot is for them, too. I love hearing their ideas because sometimes they are truly the best ones!

5) Relax, enjoy the moment, and have FUN!

If your baby starts fussing or your child won't cooperate, please do not stress! I’ve seen meltdowns, diaper blowouts, and much more, so please do not feel embarrassed or stressed if things happen.

Please also know for some kids, it takes some time to warm up in front of the camera—and that’s OK! If they are feeling shy or uncooperative, I will take another approach so they can start opening up and feel more comfortable.

Just relax and leave it to me to walk you through the session despite the meltdowns! Trust me, your photos will turn out SO much better when your faces are RELAXED vs. tensed!

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Genevieve Fu, the artist behind G. Lin Photography, specializes in lifestyle newborn and family photography and is based in Durham, NC. Known for her natural, genuine, and candid style, Genevieve has been voted as one of the "Best Photographers in Durham" by Durham Magazine for three years in a row, and is the premier choice for family and newborn photography in the greater Raleigh-Durham area.

I had the best time photographing this gorgeous sunset maternity session for my dear friends (and neighbors!), Marlee and Caleb! They are truly some of the sweetest and warmest people we know, and it has been such a huge blessing to us to have them in our lives!

We captured maternity photos last month during the beautiful golden hour, and the light was unbelievable! The warm, soft glow of the sun is just so stunning. Also, did you know we captured these photos in our neighborhood? It was beautiful! No matter the location, I’m here to tell you that it’s truly about the LIGHT, composition, and moment that really makes a great photo. If you worry that your home or neighborhood isn’t photo-worthy, leave the work to me—it’s my job as a photographer to figure out the best angles and poses to photograph you! :)

Scroll down to see more of my favorite highlights from this gorgeous maternity session! Can’t wait for Baby L to arrive and join this wonderful family!

A Special Note on Safety and COVID-19:

To help ensure a safe shoot for clients, I wear masks for all sessions and do my best to maintain proper social distance. If you are considering a maternity or newborn photography shoot, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact me and I can provide you with more details about how I’m handling safety during COVID-19.

Are you in need of Durham Newborn Photographer or Maternity Photographer? I'd love to work with you and capture this special season of life! You can get in touch with me by sending me an inquiry here. I'm proud to serve the greater Triangle area including Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and beyond.

Having your grandma and GREAT-grandma visit is truly a special moment! This great-grandma was visiting from the PHILIPPINES, and it was an honor to be able to document her time with her great-grandson and granddaughter. One of my favorite moments was capturing how fascinated baby J was of his grandma’s glasses. He literally took her glasses off in the middle of the shoot and waved it around, and then whacked her in the face with it! He found it to be so funny and laughed SO hard! He was just oh so cute to get mad at, and the smiles on everyone’s faces were priceless :)

Scroll down to see more cute photos and enjoy some of my favorite highlights!

A Special Note on Safety and COVID-19:

To help ensure a safe shoot for clients, I wear masks for all sessions and do my best to maintain proper social distance. If you are considering a family photography shoot, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact me and I can provide you with more details about how I’m handling safety during COVID-19.

Are you in need of Raleigh Family Photographer? I'd love to work with you and capture this special season of life! You can get in touch with me by sending me an inquiry here. I'm proud to serve the greater Triangle area including Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and beyond.