Love Through The Lens: NYC Family Photography
Planning a family photoshoot is an exciting and memorable experience––the build-up is almost as fun as the photo session itself! You get to plan the coordinating outfits, pick the perfect location, and chat with your photographer about what style best suits your needs. Still not sold? After diving into this article, you’ll be ready to plan that photoshoot, get the family together, and take stunning photos, giving you priceless memories.
The Value of a Family Photographer
With everyone being a self-proclaimed photographer with millions of photo editing apps, you may ask yourself – why you even need to hire a professional photographer? Aren’t the photos of my kids on my cell phone good enough? Of course, you are capturing precious moments of your children’s childhood. But there is something about a family photoshoot that captures moments your cell phone just can’t.
Capturing Memories
Family photography captures a moment when you and your loved ones are all together in one location, just being yourselves. It’s natural, it’s fun, and it brings a sense of your lifestyle that isn’t easily captured. This is when planning a photoshoot becomes a necessity.
What makes these moments so special? Moms and dads, I’ll fill you in––you actually get to be in these photos. Not on the sidelines, not caught off guard, but fully immersed in spending precious fleeting moments with your loved ones. Your presence in these photos is not just a part of the frame but a part of the story, making these memories even more meaningful.
Photography Keepsakes for a Lifetime
Once you get these photos, you’ll be thrilled to have these memories to cherish for a lifetime. These mementos of your small children will be something you can look back on and enjoy. For those of you with little ones, time flies by quickly. Your children will grow up and see how loving their family was and how fun these photoshoots were. They may even share these moments with their future children, keeping your legacy alive and well.
Tangible Photos
Everything is on our phones nowadays—doctor’s numbers, bills, grocery lists, to-do lists—but our precious family photos shouldn’t be one of them. I know we all do it. We capture birthday parties and days at the zoo. But when it comes down to professional photography, this is one time you can leave the digital files behind and grab some real-life printed photos. Not only are these photoshoots meant to be passed on to future generations, but they can also be proudly displayed in your homes. It’s the one piece of home decor that really brings in a sense of home, comfort, and love. These photos are unique, capturing the essence of your love and bringing a sense of joy nothing else can.
Recognizing the Expertise: Professional Photographers vs. Amateurs
When searching for a professional in NYC, you may run into thousands of photographers promising the same photography experience. And, well, this isn’t the case––we all have to start somewhere. But there are some things to consider before choosing your photographer and booking your photoshoot.
Creativity and Vision
You can spot a professional by the way they express their creativity. Most amateurs will show a blend of photoshoots of styles that seem to be photographed by different people. You know you’ve spotted a professional when their clean portfolio showcases a unique style perfected over the years. This photography has a clear vision and lets you, as the client, know exactly what you’re getting the day you book.
Client Relationships
Most professional photographers in NYC will have established photography-specific relationships with clients. They likely have a high reputation for providing high-quality work, being personable, and having a vibe that makes the photoshoot feel effortless. Amateurs mostly shoot their photography out of enjoyment or on a freelance basis, making it more challenging to develop good client relationships.
Experienced Photography with Children and Babies
A professional New York City photographer will know how to approach unruly toddlers and get the shots you want without making a fuss or causing unnecessary drama. This is key when snapping those heartwarming photos of your baby or toddler. These photographers have the knowledge and easygoing approach to make kids feel comfortable. They also have the expertise of when to capture the right moments and how to bring the kids together to have a blast during the photoshoot. Amateurs often have little photography experience with children and can cause some tension while trying to get the shot quickly. You’ll spot a professional when you see a portfolio of well-photographed little ones.
Finding The Best Photographer in New York City
Now that you know how to pick the photography pros, what should you look for? Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to family photography? Are they all the same price? Don’t worry. Finding the best photographer in New York City is not as daunting as it seems. You can find the perfect match for your photoshoot needs with a few simple steps.
Define Your Photography Needs
When looking for a photographer in NYC, you don’t want to choose an individual specializing in another type of photography just because they have good reviews or prestigious awards. Make sure you search for a New York City photographer who specializes in your specific needs. If you have a newborn or young children, look for photographers with experience in this area. This ensures the photographer understands the unique challenges and can capture the best moments during your photoshoot. It also makes the photography experience more enjoyable for everyone involved, and you’ll be more likely to receive the photos you’ve envisioned.
Online Research: Check Social Media, Reviews, and Portfolios
Social media—love it or hate it—is here to stay and can be really beneficial in choosing your family’s photographer. When searching for an NYC-native professional, jump onto their social pages and see how active they are, previous photoshoots, whether their vibe matches yours, or whether their style isn’t what you have pictured. This is the best time to view online portfolios and go through some of their recent reviews to see what other families thought about the experience.
Schedule Consultations and Discuss Pricing and Packages
Most photographers will offer to schedule a consultation to discuss your vision and what you expect on the day of your NYC photoshoot. This way, there is clarity and clear contracts about what style and vision of photography you receive. It also allows you to get to know the photographer and see if you could mesh and feel comfortable getting those one-of-a-kind photos. This is also the time to discuss pricing and photoshoot packages and see if they have any deals or if they even fit into your decided budget. Every NYC photographer is different, and just because they ask for expensive pricing doesn’t always mean they are the best of the best.
How to Ensure a Successful New York City Family Photoshoot
You’ve found the photographer with your desired photography style and nailed down the budget, so what else can you do to ensure a successful photoshoot?
Choosing a Meaningful Location
As you know, many beautiful photo locations are strewn about NYC. But it’s best to choose a location meaningful to you specifically. It can be Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Times Square, or even the Conservatory Garden at Central Park. You may even want to make it full circle and choose your proposal location, where you had your first date or any other memorable moment.
Outfit Coordination: The Do’s and Dont’s
You’ll want your family to look their very best on the big photoshoot day. The key to picture-perfect portraits is coordinating outfits, not matching. Coordinate outfits by wearing like colors and mixing up the textures to make the outfits look similar but not the same.
Make Time for Traffic and Tantrums
The night before the family photoshoot, take some time to prepare everything you need for the next day. Bring whatever you need to make the day go smoothly. This includes snacks, water, extra clothes, diaper bags, makeup, and personal care items. You’ll want to ensure you arrive at your photoshoot on time so you have all the opportunities to get the perfect shots. So, leaving on time or even a bit early is critical to avoiding New York City traffic.
Bring Things for the Kids
Since you are traveling around NYC to a photoshoot location, it’s no secret kids tend to get a bit irritable having to stay in one place for extended periods. Bring some items for your littles to take some stress away from the day, such as toys, snacks, and maybe even their favorite treat. Bring a few items that the kids can play with that are easy to pick up and don’t make any mess. Speaking of mess, bring an extra pair of clothes. You’d rather have a change of clothes for the kiddos, just in case. This eases any potential stress from spills or dirt hills.
Final Thoughts on NYC Family Photography
As we wrap up our family photography journey, it’s safe to say you are ready to make an informed decision. Lock down a photographer, round up the family, and capture those silly smiles, heartfelt hugs, and genuine laughs in a unique photoshoot. For more questions or an opportunity to talk, reach out to us, and we can make your family photography wishes come true right here in New York City.