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Lesson Info

How to Make Family Shoots Unique

just to kind of recap the morning stuff we spent on. I'm talking about photographing Children and doing all that fun stuff with them. I touched on it a little bit, but one thing you'll find quickly when you work with kids is you get requests to do a lot of other photo shoots because new babies were born. Um, the kids grow up faster than you. I've been in this years, and it's shocking to me the little kids that I photographed, and I've already done their senior portrait. Uh, so it's an interesting thing T when it's, like special, you have a niche that's so like, narrowed in like mind the styled kid shoots to try and keep that feel through all of your work. Because when people see your website, um, and they hire you, they expect they're going to get what they see, even if they don't see that on your site. That setting expectations. So the question arises. How do you if you decide to take it on, which I guess that's another discussion, and if it's even necessary, which I don't think it i...

s, um um, just decide step for a little bit I actually do all those other kind of shoots? Uh, newborns. I don't do, um, seniors. I do every once in a while, But it's the kids that I've formed relationship with over the years. So I feel like it can be more my style because I've known these kids so long. They know me, um, and then families ideo a little bit more often just because of the natural transition. When I photographing their kids to go and bring those periods in. So but I don't It's been very easy for me to not to not do the newborns to not dio the weddings, to not do those things. I don't feel like it hit my business. Um, I feel like I've done well with just the kids and focusing on that and keeping it there. But I do think that it's nice to be able to do a little bit more outside that cause I do enjoy the occasional family and the occasional senior, and, um so we're going to talk about how you still continue to make it your work. Sorry, I have to double whammy. Um, so back. Okay, so my focus is kid, that's just a given when you're looking at your own focus, it's important, I think, to see how you can transition. So for me, like when I do, the family shoots you saw in my questionnaire earlier? Um, a lot of those questions go into the family. She because I really want that focus to be the fun, because I that's another thing, too, is my family shoots are little kids. I I can't remember the last time I shot a family that was like, two teenagers. Um, it is a little kid. So and I think parents or more in that mindset and more accepting to do the genre that I do when their kids are a little like that. So I'm gonna kind of quickly go over the differences and the questions that I might ask a family compared Teoh when I'm just doing the kids. Um, so we do. I do the same thing with the heirlooms or momentos or things that they would want, um, captured. And I still ask the questions about the kids, the quirks and the unique things and all that kind of stuff. But then I also want to know the entire family style So I talked to them a little bit. Like I want to know, Are they like a laid back? Go with the flow family? Are they, You know, scheduled and on top of it and organized. And all those kind of things will come into play when we decide to do their do their photo shoot. Um, style can also be about the images because the images that they're going to print Teoh go into their house. So I kind of want to know that, too. Like, what's your style inside your home? How are we gonna make this part of you so that it's comfortable? So there's quite a bit of chat chit chat back and forth when, um, we're doing a session like that. Um, color. I even asked what colors are in their house. Um, cause I'm a little bit anal like that, and I like my pictures to go with my interior decor, um, and then touched on a little bit when I worked with Wil and Olivia earlier. How much I chatted with their mom about wardrobe, that always just as much as where we're gonna meet the location we always talk about, um, wardrobe and how we're gonna coordinate the family, um, send pictures back and forth. The family that's coming in today, uh, we had a cancellation, so they got in really late on the really laid on this. So we've been frantically going back and forth the past couple days, but just in those couple days, there was I don't know how I don't even have any Facebook messages. Um, e mails where I showed her pictures. She showed me pictures like it was It's definitely a very involved thing. And then even today, when she comes, she's gonna bring several options based on what we talked about. And we actually and all of this is done and we have provided all the girls are going to be dressed in the floor. And I guess so. It's that much work, and really all we're focusing on is mom and Dad. But I think that that, too, is something that helps replicate what my style is and my kid shoots is to make sure that it's fine to like that in the family shoots Teoh. I kind of interview them about fat past shoots that they've had passed family shoots like what was your favorite thing about the shoot. What was your favorite image from the shoot? Like I like to see it. Um, What didn't you like? What do you wish would have happened? Um, the mom today did get the questionnaire back to me and her. A lot of her questionnaire was based on the connection. They have, like, there are family that, like the example used before, like, they all climb into bed at night together and like, say, their nightly prayers. And, you know, they're together. I think she home schools if I remember correctly, But it's definitely there, very like a connected. And she that was One thing she said is like, I want our images to reflect that connection like that was big to her. That it wasn't just pretty posed pictures. She wanted to see that, Um, like she mentioned belly laughs and things like that so that those were good clues. When you hear belly laugh when you hear connection when you hear you know it's good clues that it might not necessarily be all about the posing and stuff, and more about how I can get them, get them Teoh, interact, um, or shoots that they like images that were not grabbed in previous sessions, like things that were missed, that they wish they would have seen in the recession. Um, like I said, the I asked for the I I asked favorite bedtime stories the favorite vacation they have take to get taken together. Not necessarily because I'm going to bring the book or because we're gonna go to that location, but because I think it tells you a lot about the family. Um, like earlier when I mentioned the Skippy Jon Jones book like that books Hilarious. So family tells me that you're fair. I'm like, OK, this family has a sense of humor, like or if it's like, you know, older classic book You're like, OK, this is like a classic. You know, you could just you can tell so much just by those those little questions. Um, kids questions are about the same, but I do send kids questions with the family ones, too. Um, yeah, So, basically, for me, keeping a true to my style with families is just keeping it whimsical and fun. And for me, whether that's good or bad, the parents are like the add ons It's all about shooting the kids. I get kids and fun. You know, place isn't this in law. I see the kids air settled and they're looking really cute. I'll be like, Oh, Mom, to slip in like it's very much about, like fitting the parents into where they fit in the scenario so I wouldn't be the perfect family photographer for a lot of people. But I feel like the people that like my work, I would appreciate that part of it. So, So something to think about when, um, when you're figuring out how to shoot the other genres. Another thing, too, which is nice, weird talking about earlier what to do when kids aren't feeling it or whatever the great thing about shooting families is, you could just, like, get rid of the kids for a while. And do I always do a little bit of a couple shoot? I think it's a nice will add on gift that most couples don't necessarily even expect with the family shoot. Um, there's usually less stress involved with moms, dads, whoever cause they've been planning for so long. And there's money invested and there's all these things and I think it's a nice little icebreaker to just let the parents be who they were before the kids even showed up. Like, um, a lot of times, dads aren't excited. And when you let them, like, cuddle on their wife and whisper in their ear and do those kind of things for a little while, sometimes it like the dads all of a sudden like Okay, maybe this is it isn't so bad, Um, and I think to win the kids, see the parents relaxing and see what the parents are doing. It's like leading by example the kids all the sudden. I don't know how many times I've done this, and I'm shooting and shooting. The parents are having a great time, and all of sudden the kids start wandering into the shot like they're just little magnets. Two legs because they see and they want a few part of that levee that, um, love you little situation, and it's I love it. It's fantastic. But, um, another thing, too. We talked about like, the games, you know, playing Simon says. In the peekaboo and all that, Um, if I feel any sort of stress or anywhere like things to start flowing in a family shoot. We play, we wrestle like, even if it's not gonna make a great shot. I think that it breaks down those nervous energies and it reminds the parents that like, Okay, we're here because we love each other and we're a family. And it's not all about getting that getting that perfect shot So parents will do races like you can see this woman amazing in her beautiful dress in hell, just like I don't care. All lay in the grass, but they had a great time and that lasted like, I don't know, 10 minutes where they just had fun and played around. And I mean, who doesn't want shot with their kids like that? Because, I mean, this was a few years ago, and already her oldest is, you know, coming on Tween not gonna wrestle in the in the grass with Mom. Um, and the great thing about doing that is there's those in between moments where you can just, like, grab a beautiful portrait and nobody is the wiser. They don't. The kids don't realize that it's not just all playing fun and games, Um, and that's a lot of how, as as you could see today when you asked like Is this the moment, um, of a normal shoot is how much time you normally take? Um, it is. And it's the same way with Families Way. Spend a lot of time joking and playing and then come back and we'll have downtime where I oppose them. And we take some pictures. But I never wanted to, like, stay stagnant like that for very long. Um, I want every shoot, the kids saying like, Well, what I'm like, Are you done? She's like, No, Like, I want kids not to be done. I want them not to want to leave. Um, the best thing I can hear from parents is that they just love to you. They can't wait to come back. And then and then it's just There's nothing better than that. Okay, Maybe getting great shots with family. That might be better. Um, but yeah, just to go from that juxtapose of being able to have fun and then grabbing, you know, that special moment? Um, again, we'll do things like I said, Like the racing. Um, we even had it was dad against Mom and kids tug of war. And that's not necessarily something you with necessary. Like put into a family shoot on a normal like it wouldn't be your thought process like, Hey, bring a rope. Uh, but it's just a lot of fun, and everybody, like, lightens up and laughs, and it's I don't know that to me is the special part. And that's the only kind of families I want to be photographing. Are the ones that are willing to get down and dirty with the kids and be about level. Um, is there any questions so far on any of the We have one from up here, you're up for it. Ready? So Steph Riley wants to know. Do you take notes of your pre session conversations with clients? I'm curious how you stay so organized with so many clients. Um, well, most of those kind of things. The questionnaire is done through email, so it's right there in print for me. If we do it on the phone, I do take notes. And like I said, I dio the idea boards a lot. I'll keep folders for photo shoots. So, like I said before, and I had like the chutes to do where I have a folder. Once I do the photo shoot or planning, everything just keeps going into that. So if there's conversation, if they send me an image they like or something they want include, everything goes in that folder. So it's not something that I feel like I'm organizing from a bunch of different areas. It's pretty fluid, I think. I think that's the key to like. Everything that I do is just making it simple and having a place for everything. So you don't lose the inspiration. You don't lose the notes, you don't lose. And then when it's time to prepare, I open up the folder the day before and I'm like, Got that? Got that? Whoops. I should go pick up that and then you ready? There's not like frantic preparation. It's nice. Cool in mind, Um, how many shoots do you do a week because of all the planning? That's a good question. So my perfect schedule is one week. I don't want to do any more than that. That goes to the wayside and there's weeks I might have four. But then there's also weeks that I don't do a photo shoot at all. I would say I probably average though, like 65 shoots a year, so I stay pretty close to that one week, and that's perfect for me. Like I feel like it's a enough time toe, not feel frenzied in planning. I feel like it's gives me time to, like I have to pick up things I am. I like when my families and people get their own things because I like it to be them. But I also really enjoy, like, going out and grabbing stuff. So I like to have time in that, cause I don't I know there's some photographers that they're like I couldn't do it. Kudos to hamper for being able to but yes long Or is that done in your planning processes? You're talking and communicating props and not props, but yeah, So like this one, um, the actually the tug of war was my idea, but it was because she had ordered, um, those a bug used to dio. I think that's a zozo bug dress. Maybe does used to do like Teepees. And she especially ordered one for our shoot. And so since I know the owner, I was like, Hey, can I have the scraps? Because we could do like it. So I knew that was gonna time, but was like her lead. I took knowing that she wanted that little campy feel with the teepee and stuff. But so I just tried to grab little Adam. So it was a kind of 50 50 I guess. Um, yeah, it's all done in the discussion. So I know if I have to bring things and sometimes, you know, people aren't as on top of it life, especially. You have kids and all that gets busy, and they don't have time to, like, answer my every email and stay. So as long as I have usually at least have an initial feel, I might just throw a bunch of stuff in the bin just to bring in case Um, yeah, in case there's I need one more question from up here from Katie Ray. How do you tell clients nicely that what they're requesting as Faras style is not your type of style of photography different aesthetic. How does that conversation go? Is nicely as possible? Um, doesn't happen a lot in the genre. I shoot, I find the people, the kids and stuff. I do get requests for things outside what I shoot like weddings and seniors. And that is a pretty easy. Like, I'm really sorry. I don't shoot. But I have, like, a list of people in my local area that I am willing to refer to. Um there are times when I've shocked ideas or themes or concepts that I was kind of like I don't know how this is gonna work. Um, but I always try to at least bring something to the shoot as well that I do know what worked for me. Um, it is a given take. I mean, yes, it's my photography business and my brand, but at the same time, like, I do want my clients happy. And we all have different tastes, and that doesn't make what they're requesting, wrong or bad. It's, uh, but it's not really what I would want to show. So I try to do a little bit of each, like if they have something they want to do. I do want to Emily, unless it's horrible or obscene or something I'm not comfortable with, um I have no problem spending part of the photo shoot, doing that for them and then getting a little bit for me. And then where? Wolf, We're both happy. Was there any other you spend all this time talking about outfits and clothing? So do you ever let them change outfits during the shoot? Yes. Yeah. Most times parents toe everyone small. How parents that due to, um usually I actually recommend bringing a couple different changes, especially for the kids. Um, yeah, yeah. I don't have a problem with changing. I like. Like I said, I get bored really easily. So for me, if they want to change clothes on the perfect, um, and a lot of times to, I really only shoot family shoots when they're wanting Christmas cards as well. Usually I'm like they save me for one time of year. Um, so virtually always, because we're doing like some family shots that they can use as like wall. And then they want the Christmas doctor. So there's almost always a change change of clothes. This is the theme, same family, same shoot. Um, and this is just kind of an example, too, of this was Mom's idea. So they you guys might be familiar. This is just outside of Seattle. Do you guys know? But they're moving cross cross country, far away, and so this their neighborhood is just like right over here. But they wanted to capture, like, the beauty of the Northwest and living living here. So she was like, I loved you like a little camp outlets. Like she got the teepee and stuff, But I would love to do, like, a little camp out. Think so. It was totally planned by us, but it was still a thing where I think the kids felt like it was their own playdate as well. Which, that's like the perfect photo shoot for me is that it's something that Mom and Dad want, but at the same time, like the kids just feel like they're out, you know, on a camping day. Um, and the great thing, too, is that it's meaningful. Like I felt like like this was a nice, like hitting all the all the marks, the location with meaningful the kid's got toe. Have fun. The parents liked the theme and felt like it fit their family. Um, so yeah, yeah, just kind of got to hit all the all the good things and to lead in tow that I do love using locations that have meaning. I think that's really fun. I travel a lot. Um, Indu shoots all over and I love meeting up. So, like, this was done not where I live or where she lives. But this is where she grew up. And they knew she was She knew she was gonna be traveling there. I was going to traveling there. And so it was It was really cool because it was like she got to talk about, like, tell the kids always to ride our bikes through here and like, it was just a really fun way to kind of bring it all around toe where she got to go back to where she was a kid. Kids got to see it, so I think it's really fine. I think location is such a big part because all of those things add to the heart, even if, like, you are I looking at it would just think Oh, cool. Cover bridge. Like to them, you know, adds that extra, extra little, a little bit of meaning, Um, another fun way. Teoh. Get some themes in. I think with family without going completely storybook is to go seasonal. Um, this was like fall in an apple orchard. You can dio I've done Christmas shoots in a tree farm where you know if they're picking their trees. So it's not hard core Christmas. But has that winter refund feel summer at the beach? I just think that it's a really great excuse to get family out on the elements and kind of celebrating. It seems like most people have, like, their favorite season, So it's fun, just, like incorporate that kind of thing and kind of create new traditions for each season to especially, like, you know, Fall has like the back to school. And that s what kind of I think it kind of build into the family tradition, which that's a really cool thing toe be part of I think, um, and like this one was in the apple fortune, so they like picked apples and all this kind of stuff to we stayed on location. But like, for example, shoes like this, I think it to do like Dan, life would be so fun and go home into their kitchen then and bake an apple pie or dio. So there's so many ways Teoh use such little things to build like a story around a family, which I think is so much fun with the more style themed shoots. Um, I mean, everybody loves a great family portrait, but I think it's fun to like, Tell the family story is as well. And this is a great way for someone like me to do it. Because, like I said before, I am not very photo journalistic. I'm not good at just going into a house for they and just like capturing Soto have, like like things happening in a story to tell. It gives me like an avenue to take and to know what kind of pictures, pictures and stuff, um, to take, um, and other another way. I kind of approach family shoots when we weren't sure like how we wanted to do it or where we wanted to do It is just to kind of quiz them like, how do you spend a normal Saturday like if you guys have nothing else to dio, what do you guys go dio and so you can do things like spend the morning exploring their city like it's Saturday morning, the morning they go down to like the local cafe and get French toast and then maybe go to the library, museums, parks. It's I think it's a fun way to incorporate who they are like by where they live and at the same time, like add that little story element. Uhm, let little story element Teoh to what we're doing. So like this one, it's just like she grew up in this. It's the Hollywood district. So it was fun to just like Rome, that area of town. Each spot has, you know, special special meaning. Um, and we were able Teoh incorporate the kids. Part of it was the kids were huge. Readers love books, and there's library right there in the area of town that we were. So we got to go in, and like I said, it's to me. It's like about the kids and the parents or the throw them in. So we went in and snuck into a quiet little corner of the library where nobody would notice us, pulled out on the books from the shelves and made a little mess and had some fun and put it all away before anybody noticed after kicked out. Now we're very respectful. I don't think they would have kicked us out, but I think it's fun. And this all goes back to like cuisine. Like, What are the kids into, um, in, like, hurry, hurry. Answer from This is a couple years ago, but I remember correctly it was Nintendo and reading. So, like, obviously, you're not going to get a great shoot out of kids playing there. DS is. But it's having that other like reading. It was it's a much easier to like. Bring that all together and figure out how to make a cute story out of it. That's That's, um, who the armed means something for when they get older and can look can look back on all of that. Um, and we kind of covered this a little bit. But I also try. That's another big thing with talking so much beforehand. And really planning is to make sure that you are focusing on every single family member. Um, whether it's the parents. A lot of adults don't want to be in, like singled out in less than eight headshots for something, but, um being able to focus on that on the couple and giving them I think that permission to steal some of that time for themselves. I know as a mom myself, it's hard for me to justify, like everything's not kid. So, um, yeah, I just I try to take time and really get the answers like that. Um, question rated for today. She actually answered linking me in like, lowland. Olivia. I get answers from each of the kids so that we get to know each each of them and how that how we're gonna pull that in and like this one, even we didn't even have to do much. This was just black, seamless paper. And I dropped it off at the house like a day before the shoot, and told them to do drawings that represented each of them. And then we just hung it. We were on location. We were out like, uh, I don't even know what you call like a reclaimed station like recycling yard. Um, and we just hung it on one of the walls of one of the buildings like it was a super simple, but it was all all them like they decided how that you wanted each of them. Representative. So it was. It was a really fun way toe to showcase each of them that you have for a couple questions. I am so just from me. I love those shots. Those air drawings that are done on location. Correct? No, I dropped off. There was black seamless. Okay, so I just dropped off the role of their house like a couple days before the shoot and just told them draw whatever represents you guys. And I explained to them where it would be on the shot. So they knew, like, above the head. Or they had a draught so it would showcase in the in the photo. Great. So this is a question from Kasparov. Generally, Children, photographers are women in studio. In the studio, he finds that generally are their women. What does Shin and think about men? Photographers who photographed kids? They do. They have a chance in the industry? I definitely think so. I think it's kind of like teachers, right. Like all my favorite teachers going up for men. But I have the two of them. Um, no, I think men have a great interaction with kids. I think they can be a little more. They just get a different. I think they get a different side of the kids. Yeah, I'd def. Yeah, I don't I definitely think Yeah. What could I do it. So, you know, it all depends on your personality. Oh, totally. Yeah. But I don't know why there aren't Mormon Children's photographers because there's tons of men that love kids and have kids and know how to interact with kids. So, cool question from the coal Lloyd about shooting in locations. Do you have to get in touch with, like, orchard owners and reach out to people that you're go to a location before? And how does that work generally for you? Yeah. I used to be under the idea that it was better to ask for, uh, like, apologize rather than be up front. And that kind of burned me a few times, like rather than like, showing up and just hoping we don't get caught because it's really awkward, embarrassing to get kicked out of locations when you're with someone. So I I'll just call ahead. Um and you know, it's amazing to me how many people say Yes, like you would think they wouldn't say yes. And especially if it's a place that, like an Apple order a place where they may need, like, so the apple should we shot at They do seasonal stuff. So they they have, like, a little store there. They do everything so they could use images for promotional material. So I think as long as you're either offering to pay for the time or offering something in return, I don't think most people would say No, I conceive like private residences and things like that being people not wanting people trespassing. But, um, yeah, I just contact before hands, and I also even if I don't have a shoot coming up, if I just see a great location or a place I would like to shoot. I talked to him, and you can do it in person. Even better, I think it's harder for them toe say no, just so sweet and smiling and excited. Um, but yeah, I'll just ask permission. Even if I don't have anything coming up, I'll just say, Hey, I love this location. Would you ever be interested in letting me use it? I could give you photos or if there's a fee that you charge like I try to be very like, give them something in return, which is which is really cool. So I'm some folks are asking about the golden hour. What are your favorite time to shoot? Yes. No, I love end of the day. Absolutely love it. There's nothing better than that. Pretty light. Like I said before, I travel a lot and I do a lot of shooting on other people's schedules. So I've gotten pretty good at shooting midday. Harsh light in the middle of a field. But yeah, my abs. I mean, if I had my druthers, it would be at our before sunset. Um, I don't get up early enough to see what the light looks like when it's coming up, but I assume it's just pretty. So do you have any tips in midday? Yeah, has too bad we can't go outside. Um, face them away from the sun. I back most the time. The sun's not directly overhead. Very, very. Very rarely is it. So keep them faced away. I mean, if you can look for open shade, Um, yeah, I think the big the hardest thing for me is their eyes. When you're have so many likes winters and people that can't handle it, that honestly is the biggest struggle. Um, exposure wise. I feel like I mean, I just exposed for my subject, and I'm okay with if we have Sky Blowout and things like that as long as it's like, I don't want blaring, like, ears disappearing things like that, but under exposed just a little bit And yeah, I think my biggest thing is just squinting out there like you like to endorse? Yeah. I mean, unless it's so bright that I can't get then yeah. Then I have to adjust with my aperture if I've maxed out the shutter speed. Um, what was just gonna say on that? Oh, a trick I have with the screeners is I just have kids like Relax, close your eyes on the count of three. Just lightly likes open them slowly. And I would say 75 75% of the time. It works Amazing. You get, like, click and your good other times you get kids will like it just cause, but, um yeah, yeah, I guess that would be without going out and doing it. And I also do like I call it like my panther walk where I put my subject there. And I'm just circle him and, like, just have them turn until I see that the light looks prettiest. Okay, so, yeah, I guess that would be my best tricks. Close the eyes and surrounding like pray. And I don't think way mentioned it during the last segment. But when you were shooting are you shooting on manual for your exposure? Yes. Although, unlike a situation like this, I set my aperture, and it was good to go the entire right to girls. Yeah. Yeah. Anyone like them? The shutter speed seed. Same to Carl. I didn't change, but yeah, I always shoot shoot manual. Great. Thank you. Think we're gonna roll? Okay. And when all else fails because I've had the chutes that, um it's all kind of falling apart. Dad doesn't want to be their moms frustrated cause she said it all up. Kids or whining, they want to be there. Um, like I said, the first and foremost is engaging them from the beginning and figuring out what makes him tick. Um, if they're not excited. Finding out about that before hand is such great, like prep because you can find out why. What is it that you don't like? You know, my husband is like, Well, why? What does he what does he not like about it? So you can go into it pre, like, pre ready to soothe any. Any fears? Um, I mean, there's been times I've told that I've been like, you know what? I know you don't want to be here, so I'm gonna get you out as quick as I can in and out of the shops that you're in and go ahead and sit in the car, listen to the game, do whatever you want. Like I'll let you know when I have everybody else set up. You can just jump in and out. I said, You don't have to hang out with us. So I tried it. Be on top of it and fix the problems before they actually happen. And that's, um, that all starts with that first email, that first phone call. Um, another huge thing is complimenting people. I don't know of how much I did it today. I think I did a little bit telling them they were doing good or how cute they loved her. I works with parents. Teoh. Is that positive reinforcement when they do something good and like a shot or my gosh, look at the back camera. That looks so pretty like it just raises their level of confidence. It makes it more exciting. I mean, if someone tells you Oh, my gosh, you look amazing. The shot you're like, Yeah, take more than like it. I think it completely changes attitudes when you're, um when you're just able to give those little and it doesn't have to be over over word. A lot of mine is kind of under under my breath. Like I just like I'm like, That's perfect. Like, Oh, my gosh, that looks that this light here is absolutely perfect on you. So it doesn't have to be like blatant, You know, my gosh yourself, Pretty always looks like on you. You could make it a little more. Or just like complimenting them on putting wardrobe together like Oh, my gosh. You guys look amazing altogether. Yes. Yeah, yeah. I don't have a problem showing showing him at all. I think it helps more than it hinders. Yeah, anything. I mean, I I find awkward when they asked to see the pictures I've taken because I don't I want to really, like, go through like I want that to be saved for when they see all the images. But showing on the picture at a time I think is great, especially if it's like you get a great shot, because I think it just makes everyone more excited and more on board with whatever you want to dio, which is always a good thing. Um, we talked about this a little bit to is the location, making sure that it's a place that everybody will have fun at that it's, you know, it's special to everyone. Um, preface that saying You don't want to have a ton of distraction either. If you have little ones, may be the favorite place to go is the park. But that's probably not the best place to go if you want to get family shots because you have kids on swings on slides, great for individual stuff, but you really have to think ahead like ended at the park. Start maybe in a different area that there's not the distractions and then end of the park where you're getting individual shots. So, um, I do say, like having fun and having interesting and have it all these things. But I have lost several kids Teoh rock climbing and things that you're like. Hey, come back. We're not done. Please come. Or so that is one thing to be very careful of us, to make sure that it's not gonna be anything that is going to make it harder on you to get shocks. Um, bring an assistance is amazing. It doesn't have to be your assistant. It could be like someone they know, one of their family members. Um, even if you have older kids, it hopes with when you do the parents part, you have somebody that can watch the kids and the parents aren't stressing about what the kids are getting into. You have someone that can help go fetch things from the car. If the family left something, it just makes it special. Just when you're working with a group like that, Um, I think it just makes it a lot more seamless. Nobody stretched too thin. It's better to have too much help than then? Not enough. And it's also good to have someone parents love to help, but half the time they're helping, it's not helping. It's like they're five feet away and the every shot the kids skin over that direction. Soto have someone there that actually knows, Like what helps you and what doesn't help you is priceless. And so many new photographers starting out like to be able to, like, offer that mentoring and in exchange, get someone that's like into it and knows how to, you know, hold a reflector and do all these things. Um, good thing. All right. So, question from the Internet. Yeah, let's talk a little bit more about assistance. Do you have, like, your go to gals that you go to all the time? Do you expect them to have experience with kids? You ever use interns? Yes. Yes, yes. Yeah, I have anybody that contact me about. I mean, I've been doing workshops and mentoring for a long time, so people talk about that. Local people be like, if you ever need any help or hands on like, I keep everybody's information and we'll call and be like and I don't like, expect them to come help me for free, so I let them know like this is what the shoots about. If it's a shoot you're interested in, come help a lot of times of its multiple kids. I might have hair and makeup. The person I used for hair and makeup knows her stuff. When she's not doing your makeup, she's more than happy to come over and help me. My kids help me a lot. They're older now, so it's a great way for them to earn 10 bucks 20 bucks, depending on health involved. The shoot is, um yeah, I think. And even I know my last intern. She went to the local art school in town, and I know every single one of those kids graduating had to have intern hours. So I think even posting something maybe in a local art school or college has a photography program would be a great because she said, every single person in her class had to have intern hours with Darfur. So what kind of responsibilities are do the assistance have? Are they carrying equipment holding up, you know? Yeah. For the I'm a light light traveler, I normally shoot if I'm shooting on location, I shoot. You saw my rapid syrup that went this way. I have another Cameron with the robber stop that goes this way. Eso I carry both My camera's on me when I shoot and I tend to travel pretty light. Everyone's winner of props, but I try and keep him, like in a band or a bag. That's easy. Teoh, easy to carry most of their responsibility is just helping me get the shot. So it goes from Hey, stand behind me and make funny faces behind my head. Teoh um, holding their holding. I don't use a ton of reflectors. Everyone small but stuff like that holding Rifaat reflectors. They'll help me set up. If it's a theme shoot that need set up, sometimes they'll come in and help me get all that up or terrile of it down when we're done. So it really various just on what they're interested in. I try and pick people to help that are interested in whatever facet it is like if they're interested in building sets, then they get to help. Great. So if all else fails, you want to know what happened? Be silly um, honestly of all us feels I know that there's so much like pressure to have, like, that perfect shot and that everybody wants to walk away with that one shot that they can put on the Christmas cardigan put on the wall. But really, at the end of the day, if people are just being silly and laughing and we're all having a good time, that shot's gonna happen organically, like it's not gonna be something that we have to force. So that's to what I stress through all my shoots is the last thing I want. Is anybody stressed? Anybody unhappy? Um, so I do whatever I can to make sure the mood is light. We joke, we goof. We, um, tell jokes. Olivia was some cute, Um, but yeah, you can't go around taking pictures of people that are there having fun. And like I said before, I make it very clear to the parents that you're paying me for the service, and that means that you have no responsibility here, like your responsibility is to sit in front of camera when I ask you to. And other than that, go sit down, have coffee play on Facebook on your phone like I don't. None of your responsibility is making these Making sure that these pictures turn out nicely other than when you're in front of the camera and you smile at me And don't look at the kids and what they're doing. Good. Like my parents room, the shots when I finally got the kids to be good in the shot. So, um, yeah, if I'm confident, I just tell them you be confident I'll get you that if there's problems, I'll let you know. So, um yeah, I just tryto make sure that they know all of the all of the pressure is on me, not them.