Family Portrait Preparation Tips | Carina Photographics

Family Photo Session Prep Tips

Family portrait sessions can be so much fun! However, sometimes people feel intimidated about how to plan for a successful photoshoot. As a family portrait photographer, I get a lot of questions about preparation for family sessions. I’d like to share some simple tips to help you prepare for your portrait photoshoot:

Family Photoshoot Preparation Tips

~ Set your children(s) expectations in advance: let them know a few days in advance, as well as let them know it will be a fun time to spend together!
~ Give yourself plenty of time to get ready: hair or wardrobe malfunctions, bad traffic, or other problems can derail your portrait session. Give yourself plenty of time so you are calm and ready for your session.
~ Make sure the kids are fed and well-rested:
~ Consider props, toys, mementos or special types of photos you want in your session: a favorite stuffy or toy, or even an heirloom quilt, can help to personalize the session for your family.
~ Bring snacks for the kids: consider easy, portable snacks such as cheese cubes, crackers, jelly beans, etc. Steer clear of chocolate, bright juices and other messy snacks.
~ Express yourself and tell your story: we’ll be photographing you together as well as alone, so personalizing for each family member will help capture your unique story.
~ Let kids be kids and give each child time to shine: running, playing tag, tickle fights – all are fun activities for your family and help get amazing photos of you together as well as individually.
~ Have fun! This most important advice will help guarantee portraits you will love!

More Family Photoshoot Info

Need some ideas for locations or activities for your family portrait session? Take a look at my Family Portrait Photography Ideas blog post for more information.

Need some ideas for wardrobe styling for your family photoshoot? Take a look at my Family Portrait Session Style Tips blog post for some ideas.

Be sure to let me know if you have any other questions or would like to book a family photoshoot. I would love to help you achieve the family portrait photography of your dreams!

Family Portrait Style Tips | Carina Photographics

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Family Photo Style Tips

Family portrait sessions can be so much fun! However, I know that sometimes it can feel as if the planning and preparation for a portrait session can be more work and stress than the session itself! As a family and child photographer, I get a lot of questions about style tips in preparation for family sessions. I’d like to share a simple list of things to keep in mind when preparing for your portraits:

Family Session Wardrobe Tips

~ Consider dressier options (sport coat, dress, etc.)
~ Be comfortable. Select clothing that compliments you well.
~ Avoid matching, but compliment and coordinate together in color, style and level of formality.
~ Choose predominantly solid colors (not white).
~ Avoid sleeveless tops, baggy clothing, large logos, clashing patterns, cargo shorts/pants, sweats or track suits, athletic shoes, flip-flops, crocs, and men’s sandals.
~ Layers and textures translate well.
~ Remember details! Accessories, nails, shoes, etc. The level of care on the little things add up.
~ Feel free to bring multiple outfit options. I can give advice on which options work best together.
~ Don’t stress – family photos will be fun if you let yourself enjoy the experience!

More Style Info

Feel free to check my Pinterest “What to Wear // Families” board for visual representations of wardrobes that work well together.

Be sure to let me know if you have any other questions. I would love to help you achieve the family portrait photography of your dreams!

Need some ideas for locations or activities for your family portrait session? Take a look at my Family Portrait Photography Ideas blog post for more information too!

Family Portrait Session Ideas | Carina Photographics

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Awesome Family Photo Ideas

One common question I receive from families is how to plan their portrait sessions. They are often unsure where to go or what to do. Today I’m going to talk more about family photo ideas. I’ve got options that will help spark ideas to plan your own portrait session.

Personalize Your Family Photo Session

Sometimes, a studio would be perfect for your family photos. Other times, you may want to select locations or activities that are more meaningful to you. When considering options, think about the interests in which your family is involved, and how you like to spend time together. Also think about activities and locations you all enjoy. If you select something important to you, then you are well on your way to creating a memorable experience. Family portrait sessions last around one hour, depending on the location and activity. When outdoors, we generally work in the last two hours before sunset. When indoors, we can work almost any time.

Some location/activity ideas include:
> My St Paul photo studio
> Your home (outdoors or indoors)
> A favorite park
> Riding a rented trolley, canoe or boat
> A fair or carnival with rides
> A destination or public garden
> A barn
> A bowling alley
> Ice or roller skating rink
> A playground
> A baseball field

As a family portrait photographer, I am happy to give advice for family sessions. I not only help with location and activity ideas, but also consult with all my clients on wardrobe selection, artwork selection and more. Contact me if you would like to work together for your family portraits!

Need some style tips for your family portrait session? Take a look at my Family Portrait Style Tips blog post for more information too!

Baby Family Studio Photography | Schierman Family

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Baby Photographer St Paul MN

Amanda gave me a call one day – she and her husband Scott just had their first baby, Harlowe, a few months ago, and they wanted some family photos and artwork to capture this amazing time in their lives. It was perfect to celebrate the beginnings of their adorable little family!

Baby Photography MN

Amanda, Scott and baby Harlowe came out to my studio one morning. Harlowe was dressed in the most adorable green velvet dress along with a beautiful flower crown! She was a pretty curious about the studio and all the crazy props and equipment, and was very cooperative with mommy and daddy. She was being so adorable, including showing off how much she loved rubbing her face in her daddy’s beard!

After their session (and Harlowe’s nap) they returned to my studio so they could review the photos from their session and choose their favorites. They ended up with a beautiful Graphistudio photo album of their session, along with a few matted fine art prints of their favorites. They are so gorgeous!

Thank You!

Thank you, Schierman family, for working with me for your baby photography. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your Graphistudio photographs and photo album!

If you’d like to work together for your family and baby photography, give me a call or send me an email soon!

BONUS: Make sure to take a look at other baby and family sessions I have photographed, including the Archbold family, the Ford family and the Huntwork family.

Extended Family Studio Photography | Sewich Family

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Family Photographer St Paul MN

I received a call from Jessica one afternoon. Her mother- and -father-in-law were celebrating their 50th anniversary, and she and her husband wanted to gift them with an extended family portrait session and wall art to adorn their home. What an amazing gift! So I would be photographing their mother and father, Jessica and her husband, along with her husband’s brother and his wife and kids too.

Extended Family Photography

The day arrived and they all came into my St Paul photo studio. I captured photos of the whole extended family together, as well as each individual family grouping, and even the kids alone too. They were great sports and had fun, and were amazed at how quickly the entire process happened.

After their session, several of them stayed behind to choose their favorite photos and then select their favorite wall art. They loved their pictures! They ended up with a gorgeous Graphistudio wall art collage of five photos along with a few shelf blocks featuring a few other favorite photos.

Thank You!

Thank you, Sewich family, for working with me for your extended family photography. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs and wall art!

If you’d like to work together for your extended family studio photography, give me a call or send me an email soon!

BONUS: Make sure to take a look at other family sessions I have photographed too, including the Archbold family, the Ford family and the Huntwork family.

Family + Baby Studio Photos | Archbold Family

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Family Photographer St Paul MN

Diane and her husband Nick had just welcomed their third child into the family and were busy with three little ones under three. Diane gave me a call one day because they wanted to celebrate their newly completed family with their first big family photo to adorn their home. It was a perfect time to celebrate the beginnings of their adorable little family!

Family Photography MN

The five of them came out to my studio one November day. The kiddos were so cute – very happy and cooperative. They had clearly been practicing their best “cheese” looks, and gave me lots of big smiles. It was so fun working with them! I think my favorite point was the “tickle fight” where they all had the biggest smiles and laughs!

After their session, Nick took the kiddos home for naps so Diane and I could review the photos from their session and she could choose her favorites. They ended up with their five favorite photos featured on a beautiful Graphistudio acrylic wall art collage. It is so gorgeous!

Thank You!

Thank you, Archbold family, for working with me for your family photography. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs and stunning wall art!

If you’d like to work together for your family and baby photography, give me a call or send me an email soon!

BONUS: Make sure to take a look at other studio family sessions I have photographed too, including the Ford family and Huntwork family and the Schierman family.

Newborn Family Photography MN | Ford Family

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Newborn Family Portrait Photography

I’ve worked with Safiyyah + Rory for several years now, ever since their Aria wedding several years ago. They recently added a new member to their family as their second child Amara was born! They wanted to celebrate the occasion with a newborn and family session, and would also be capturing their son Remy’s 4-year-old portraits as well. We had captured Remy’s newborn photos as well, so this would be an awesome addition to their collection.

The Ford family came out to work in my St Paul studio when Amara was about two weeks old. We worked together for about an hour and captured some amazing photos of all four of them, as well as each of them with Amara, and of course Amara alone. Remy was an absolute ham and perfect model for me, always cooperative and flashing the perfect smile right on cue.

After their session, we reviewed their photos, and then they chose their favorites and we designed their art pieces. They ended up with a photo album of their favorite photos, along with a stunning collection of wall art. Everything was so beautiful, and they were so excited when they saw the final artwork in real life! As usual, all of my artwork is crafted in Italy by Graphistudio, and it was just spectacular.

Thank You!

Safiyyah, Rory, Remy and Amara, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful family photography! I had so much fun working with you, and I hope you love your portraits and wall art!

If you are considering newborn and/or family photography, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at some other newborn and family sessions I have photographed including the Kelly family’s studio newborn session, the Huntwork family’s newborn and family session, the Archbold family’s studio family portraits, and the Ford family’s one year MN Landscape Arboretum family photos too!

Minneapolis Family Photography | Dyrud Family

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Minnehaha Creek Family Portrait Photography

Rachel and Chester called me one day wanting portraits of their family, including their little one-year old son Truman. They had never had professional family photos before, and were excited about having artwork created to capture this time in their lives (before their new baby would make her debut in the winter!) I was so excited to work with them.

We met up one early autumn morning at Minnehaha Creek near their Minneapolis home. Little Truman was very busy, but he sure loved spending time with the toys and stuffies I brought along for the photoshoot. We ended up with nearly an hour of time together, which is pretty long for a little guy! He had fun running around the park, running over the bridge, checking out the leaves, and just all around having fun with his parents.

After their session, they came out to my St Paul photo studio to review the photos, choose their favorites, and design their art pieces. They ended up with a photo album of their top 20 photos, along with a stunning piece of wall art with their top favorites. Everything was so beautiful, and they were so excited when they saw the final artwork in real life! As usual, the artwork was crafted in Italy by Graphistudio, and it was just spectacular.

Thank You!

Rachel, Chester and Truman, thank you so much for working with me for your beautiful family photography! I had so much fun working with you, and I hope you love your portraits, album and wall art!

If you are considering family photography, contact me soon!

BONUS: Take a look at some of my other family photography including this MN Landscape Arboretum family photoshoot, a maternity and family studio photoshoot, and a studio family photoshoot!

Hmong Family Traditional Dress Portraits | Lor Family

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Traditional Family Photography

One day last winter, I received a call from a woman who was looking for a photographer to capture her female family members wearing traditional Hmong dresses. She and her sisters had wanted to gift these portraits to their mother to adorn her home with the beautiful photos of her family in their traditional homeland dress. I was so excited, I couldn’t wait!

MN Family and Child Photography

The day arrived and the whole family came out to my studio – mom with 4 daughters and one grand-daughter. It was so fun! Mom was obviously delighted by such a meaningful portrait to show her children’s love for her and thanking her for working so hard for them all those years. Even their slightly shy toddler was obviously tickled to hang out with grandma for the day (as well as the toy fox I let her play with.) She was just a bundle of giggles!

After their session, the sisters came back to my studio to choose their favorite portraits and wall art to gift their mom. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of their wall art from Graphistudio in Italy – and the look on their faces when they see their stunning new artwork!

Thank You!

Thank you, Lor family, for working with me as your family photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photos!

Make sure to take a look at other family sessions I have photographed too: Long Lake Regional Park family photos, MN Landscape Arboretum family photos, and studio family photos.

If you’d like to work together for your family portraiture, contact me soon!

Newborn Photography Minneapolis | Huntwork Family

By Joanna Carina Leave a Comment

Newborn Photographer St Paul MN

I met Maddie several years ago at a wedding we worked together. We became fast friends! I was so excited when I found out that she and William were expecting a new addition to their family in a few short months! And then I was lucky enough to be able to work with them for their maternity photography as well as their newborn photography at my St Paul studio.

Baby Photography MN

Maddie and William brought their sweet toddler Freya as well as their newest bundle of joy, Gannon, to my St Paul photo studio. We worked together for just about an hour, or as long as the kiddos would last. We found some great wraps and wardrobe colors that would work well together. Then we had plenty of time for photos with mommy, daddy AND big sister. Little Mr G was the perfect level of sleepy and content to go along with pretty much anything. We captured photos of the four of them together, each parent with G alone, a few with big sis, and then little Gannon himself.

Thank You!

Thank you, Huntwork family, for working with me as your newborn photographer. I had so much fun working with you, and I am thrilled that you love your photographs!

Make sure to take a look at other newborn sessions I have photographed too! Kelzer Family, Ford Family, Svendsen Family, Troldahl Family, Gangl Family, Ranheim Family

If you’d like to work together for your newborn baby photography, give me a call or send me an email soon!