The Family Photography Guide

If the thought of a family shoot makes you a little nervous — what to wear, where to go, whether the kids will behave — take a breath. You're exactly where most people start.

Unless your name is Fabio, chances are you haven't been photographed properly since your wedding or your school photos. So feeling unsure is completely normal. My whole job is to take that worry off your shoulders, put your family at ease, and turn the session into something you actually enjoy — not something you survive.

This guide walks you through everything: where we shoot, what to wear, how to prepare children of every age, what happens on the day, and what to do with your photos afterwards. Read what's useful, skip what isn't. By the end, you'll feel ready — and that relaxed feeling is exactly what makes the photos work. Let's go.

Part OneBefore the Day

1. Choosing your location

We're spoilt in the Western Cape. Beaches, forests, vineyards, mountains, gardens, or simply your own home — there's no shortage of beautiful backdrops. Your first instinct will be to shoot at all of them. Sadly, unless you've got a time machine I can borrow, we'll need to pick one.

• I can shoot at any location you like, including your home — but I can't add or remove anything from the background, so choose a spot that already feels like "you."
• I genuinely love nature, so any chance to show off the Western Cape's scenery makes me a happy man. If you have something different in mind, let's chat — I love an adventure.
• Think about what the place means to your family. The beach you visit every December, the farm where the kids run wild, your own garden — those locations carry a story, and it shows in the photos.

2. The best time of day

Light is everything, and the right time depends entirely on where we shoot.

• Forest or indoor shoots — time of day matters far less. We have good flexibility here.
• Beach and open-location shoots — we start about 90 minutes before sunset for that soft, golden light. Keep this in mind when choosing your location.

3. Hair and make-up

A little professional polish goes a long way on camera — especially for mom. My wife, Iza, is a professional make-up artist and does call-outs to your home or hotel, so you can be camera-ready without the rush.

4. What to wear

This is the big one. The question I get more than any other is: "What on earth do we wear?!" The short answer: wear what makes you feel comfortable and like yourself. When you feel good in your clothes, you relax — and that ease is the first thing the camera picks up.

Coordinate — don't match. The goal isn't a uniform. Matching jeans and white T-shirts on everyone looks dated and a little corny. But you also don't want mom in a ball gown next to dad in flip-flops. The sweet spot is a shared colour palette — pick two or three colours that work together and let everyone dress within that range. Think of it like a playlist: same vibe, different songs.

A simple way to build your palette

• Start with one person's outfit (often mom's) and build everyone else around it.
• Lean on soft, complementary tones — sage, sand, cream, denim blue, dusty rose, warm neutrals, muted earth tones.
• Add interest with texture rather than loud colour — knits, linen, denim, a chunky cardigan, a flowing skirt.
• Layers are your friend: scarves, jackets, hats (in moderation) add depth and give kids something to interact with.

What to avoid

• Big logos and slogans — they pull the eye straight to a brand instead of your faces.
• Neon and very bright, saturated colours — they dominate the frame and can cast colour onto skin.
• Large, busy prints — they fight for attention and date quickly.
• Camo for a forest shoot — you'll literally disappear. Always think about your colours against the location.

The little details people forget

• Haircuts — time them about a week ahead, not the day before. (Men, a trim 2–3 days before is perfect.)
• Nails — if hands will be in the photos (and on cuddly family shots, they will be), go either fully done in a neutral shade or completely bare. Half-worn polish is the one that shows.
• Glasses — if you wear them every day, wear them. An anti-reflective lens helps with glare; if yours are strongly reflective or transition (self-darkening) lenses, consider an old frame with the lenses popped out. Give them a quick clean too.
• Skin — skip heavy SPF moisturiser or SPF foundation on your face right before; it can leave a shiny or pale cast. Normal sunscreen on the body is fine.
• Clothes — steam or iron everything the night before, and lay each outfit out together so you can see the palette working. Go easy on very clingy fabrics.

Expecting? A long, flowing dress or skirt flatters the bump beautifully for at least part of the session; a form-fitting knit shows it off if you'd prefer. Bring your partner — and the older kids — in too. Those "before everything changes" moments are the ones you'll treasure most. (Dads: solid, neutral colours keep the focus where it belongs.)

5. Props (a little goes a long way)

I'm not a huge fan of too many props — your family is the story, not the stuff. But the right object can add a lovely dimension and give restless hands something to do.

• Blankets, flowers, a chalkboard or letter blocks, Scrabble tiles.
• The family dog — yes, bring them if you'd like!
• For maternity: ultrasound printouts, alphabet blocks, a first onesie or pair of baby shoes, a small special gift.

If there's a theme close to your heart — a hobby, a sport, something whimsical — tell me beforehand and we'll see how to weave it in.

6. Refreshments

It's often a good idea to bring a few refreshments — water, juice, maybe a bottle of bubbly to toast the occasion. We don't need anyone tipsy, but a little break mid-shoot is welcome. (No need to bring anything for me.) For kids — and let's be honest, for dads too — snacks and wet-wipes are gold.

7. Bringing the whole clan?

Big group shoots — grandparents, cousins, the lot — are some of my favourites, and a little coordination makes them run like clockwork.

• Pick one point person. Choose one family member to be my main contact and to pass details on to everyone else. It keeps the whole group on the same page.
• Plan around the youngest and the oldest. We time things for when the little ones are happiest and keep it comfortable for grandparents — a morning often suits both.
• We get the big group shot first. While everyone's fresh, we nail the full-family photo in the first 15 minutes, then break into smaller combinations.
• A seat for grandparents. I'll often seat the older generation; it's more comfortable and builds natural "levels" in the group. If anyone has mobility needs, just tell me beforehand.

Part TwoPhotographing Children at Every Age

This is where a family shoot really lives or dies, so let me be straight: I don't need your children to "perform." I need them to be themselves. The best family photos aren't stiff, say-cheese line-ups — they're the in-between moments, the giggles and cuddles and chaos.

A few things we might do

So you're not left wondering what "just play" actually looks like, here are some of the little games I lean on to get real laughter:

• Run-and-scoop — the kids start a few metres back, then run in for a big hug.
• Piggyback rides and "aeroplane" lifts.
• "Whisper something silly in mom's ear," or "tell dad the worst joke you know."
• Tickle attacks, group cuddles, and walking-and-chatting together.
• "Simon says — everyone squeeze in!"

You don't need to memorise any of this. I'll guide it on the day — your only job is to play along.

Babies (0–12 months)

• Time it for a happy baby. A fed, rested baby is everything. Tell me their best window and we'll build the shoot around it.
• Bring the essentials — a feed, a dummy, a favourite blanket, a spare outfit (or three).
• Lifts and "aeroplane" moments get the giggles going. Dad makes a great heavy-lifter while mom leans in close.
• Don't stress about a crying baby. We pause, we soothe, we carry on. I've seen it all.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

• Make them the centre. Surrounding a toddler with the family ("monkey in the middle") helps them feel safe.
• Expect movement and plan for it — comfy, forgiving clothes and flat shoes so you can keep up.
• We play, we don't pose. Swinging, tickling, chasing, peek-a-boo — the photos come from the play.
• Rested and fed, always. A tired toddler beats good light every time.

School-age kids (4–9 years)

• Give them a job. "Swing the little one," "whisper a secret to mom," "tell dad the worst joke you know."
• Let them be silly first. A few goofy frames early buys you the relaxed, genuine smiles afterwards.
• They love feeling involved, so I'll often let them help choose a spot or an idea.

Teenagers (10+ years)

• Start with a casual stroll. Everyone walking together, hands in pockets, talking — it melts the awkwardness fast.
• Bring them into the plan. Let them help pick the location or the vibe; ask their opinion.
• Keep it cool, not posed. I'll capture the real interactions — the side-eye, the laugh, the quiet closeness.

When the meltdown comes (and sometimes it does)

A special note for parents, from one parent to another: relax. Meltdowns happen, almost always at the worst possible moment. Please don't feel embarrassed — I have a little boy of my own and I know these "sessions" intimately.

Bring an extra pair of hands. For very little ones, a granny, aunt or friend to hold snacks, wipe faces and pull silly faces just off-camera is worth gold.

Save the treat for afterwards. "Ice cream when we're done!" works far better than bribing mid-shoot — promise a reward during and a savvy child will simply hold out for more. Reward the finish line, not every frame.

Part ThreeThe Day Itself

The 24 hours before

• Sleep well the night before — it shows in your skin and eyes. (No hangovers, please.)
• Eat well. Happy stomachs make for happy photos.
• Don't over-schedule the kids on shoot day.
• Watch out for fresh sunburn and tan lines in the days before.
• Drink plenty of water — hydrated skin photographs beautifully.
• Lay out everyone's outfits the night before so the morning isn't a scramble.
• Give yourself a cushion. Aim to be ready 20–30 minutes early. A relaxed, unhurried arrival sets the tone for the whole session.
• The golden rule: take the kids to the loo right before we start.

What to expect from me

A family session usually runs up to two hours, during which we'll mostly just laugh, walk, and play together — you'll hardly notice the camera is there. I don't bark orders or arrange you like mannequins. I gently guide, then step back and let your family be your family. I'm relaxed, and that's deliberate — the calmer I am, the calmer you'll be.

For the reluctant ones. If there's a husband, a teenager or a shy little one who'd rather be anywhere else — don't fight it, and please don't apologise. I expect it, and warming people up is half my job. They almost always thaw within the first ten minutes. Just get them there; leave the convincing to me.

Relax and enjoy it

This is the most important tip of all. You're out in a beautiful place with the people you love most, making a memory together. My job is to capture it. You're allowed to have fun — in fact, please do.

Be present, not behind a screen. Leave your phone in your bag or the car. The moment you start checking it — or trying to grab your own snaps — the kids feel the shift and the energy dips. Trust me to get the shots; you just enjoy your people.

Part FourAfter the Shoot

You've put in the time, effort, and budget to do this properly — so please don't let the photos vanish into your phone, never to be seen again.

• Put them on your walls. A gallery wall or a single large print turns a memory into something you live with every day.
• Make a photo book. A printed album beats endless scrolling — and grandparents treasure them.
• Print for the people who love you. Framed prints make some of the best gifts there are.
• Use them everywhere your family shows up — holiday and Christmas cards, social media, that overdue profile picture.

When you'll see your photos. Your gallery will be ready within 1–2 weeks. Editing properly takes a little time, so try to resist refreshing your inbox — it'll be worth the wait. If you need a quick sneak peek sooner for something specific, just ask.