It can be said that out of the millions of photographs we are bound to be a part of in our lives, none will have as much importance or significance as those involving loved ones; the family portraits. Even with the level of importance placed on the family photographs, they are perhaps one of the most difficult pictures to get right and at the same time prepare for. The following are 3 essential things to get ready for the portrait:

• Get the right photographer

Over the years, the camera has evolved from the old flash and bang to a sophisticated digital tool. As a result of this, anyone that has interest in photography can definitely find it easy to take photographs. All that is needed is the right camera to aid in this endeavor. However, for the sake of getting quality family portraits, a true photographer is needed. When seeking the services of a professional photographer, there are certain steps that must be taken:

• View the portfolio
• Compare the work of the photographer to that of others
• See which photographer highlights the family members and their uniqueness
• Come to a decision about the photographer that suits your needs
• Reach out to the photographer
• Have a discussion about your needs and listen to the photographer’s input
• Agree on terms and conditions and set a date to shoot the family portraits

Location

Having found the photographer that can deliver on your requirements, the next thing to decide would be where you would like the photographs to be taken. The photographer can only offer his skill as well as opinion as to the taking of the family portraits. But which location would you prefer the photographs be taken. Do you want a studio portrait with a wallpaper background or would you prefer having the portrait taken in a certain room of your house or would you prefer something more outdoorsy? The location choice is of huge significance as it determines the originality of the picture and if the family members feel comfortable in the location. Be sure to get your photographer’s input on this.

Clothing

Another significant aspect of your family portraits is the attire that has to be worn over the course of the shoot. Now seeing as the location choice determines the type of clothing you wear in most cases, there can be an underlying theme of the shoot so that every aspect from clothing to location all tie in to each other. If not, the photographs might end up looking odd. A good way to determine the clothing to be worn for a shoot is by focusing on the purpose of the shoot. For example, is the purpose of the family portraits meant to be for a gift card, post card, Christmas card or for decoration on the mantle piece? If it is for a Christmas card, then you can have clothing that exudes the joy of Christmas and if it is for another purpose, the clothing can reflect this.