Choosing the perfect photographer for your family photos is no easy task, and that is why we have put together an essential list of 5 questions to ask your photographer before booking your annual family photos. While many families feel inclined to start with “how much do you cost?”, we believe that even more important than price is considering the value of what your photographer is providing, their experience working with families just like yours, and how they help you preserve your memories once your session is complete. After all, we document our growing children year after year with the hope of truly enjoying the moments we’ve captured. Finding a photographer who can help you create a tangible, visual keepsake, versus another pile of digital images that’ll get tucked away on a hard drive, never to be seen again is so important. These 5 questions to ask your photographer will help you remember this fleeting season of life in a beautiful, natural and tangible way.

Questions to ask your photographer: Do you have experience working with young children?

As a mother of two young children and an elementary school educator, I know that communicating with young children is truly an art. Those stubborn toddler years, where they love to do exactly the opposite of what you ask. The awkward age where they are suddenly self-conscious about snuggling up and giving kisses to mom and dad. The newborn age, where they need to be rocked just right in order to fall asleep. Each age comes with it’s own set of excitement and challenges, and finding a photographer who is familiar with children is essential for capturing your family in a way that brings out the genuine joy that you feel being together, and that captures the heart of who you are as a family. Below are my top 3 questions to ask your photographer to ensure that they are the best fit for working with your little ones:

What ages are you familiar working with?

Chances are, if your photographer has been in business for any number of years, they will have had experience working with children of all ages. Having confidence in your photographer and trusting that they know how to connect with children of all ages allows you to relax and let the professional take the lead – so you can enjoy your family and capture those beautiful, candid moments together.

How do you handle children who don’t want to participate?

We all know what it’s like to have a child who wishes to do the exact opposite of what we’ve asked them – aka any toddler alive. Ask your photographer if they have a few tricks up their sleeve for engaging with your little ones who are resistant to cooperating. Usually, this will look like some fun games, jokes they can pull out, snacks that act as a little extra incentive, or hands-on prompts to elicit those sweet, genuine smiles we all know and love.

What if my child misbehaves?

We’ve all been there – our child is throwing a tantrum, or simply acting out in a less-than-desirable way, and we’re reallllly hoping it stops before anyone can observe. Ask your photographer what their plan is when a child misbehaves. Chances are, they’ll give the child some space, let them take a break from the group or suggest some fun games to get them more engaged with the session. My personal approach when a little one isn’t feeling the photos is to let them take a breather. Nothing ruins a session more than a grumpy child, who is being forced to participate, and is therefore stressing out mom and dad.

How will you help me plan our session?

Planning a portrait session with little ones can feel daunting. Whether it’s picking the perfect location (pssst: this should never fall on the client’s shoulders. An experienced photographer will suggest the perfect location for you and your family), wardrobe that coordinates beautifully but isn’t too matchy, and making sure every little detail is taken care of, there is a lot to consider when it comes to family photos. This is a great question to ask your photographer before you agree to work together. An experienced photographer, ideally one who is full-service, will tell you that they plan each and every detail alongside you. From suggesting the perfect location to match your desired images, to providing wardrobe styling and even a client closet to borrow from, to ensuring that you’re not left with a giant to-do list of “measure and size and print a million photos for the walls” after the fact. Ask your photographer how hands-on they are with the process. The perfect photographer for you will provide the exact level of support that you’d like.

Will you help us feel natural with gentle posing?

It’s natural to feel a bit awkward in front of the camera. A good photographer will understand that you want your images to feel like you, but that you might not necessarily know how to achieve a candid, natural look all on your own. This is an excellent question to ask your photographer before you hire them, as you’ll want to choose someone who can elicit genuine interactions, without it feeling too staged or uncomfortable. Experienced photographers will have plenty of tricks up their sleeves – and won’t be afraid to adjust you if you don’t look just right. I’m often fixing mom’s hair, adjusting dad’s position or suggesting the perfect angle to flatter and bring out your natural beauty – so that you can look at your final images and say, “wow, I can’t believe that’s me!”

When and how will I see my final images?

Another great question to ask your photographer is how your final images will be presented to you. Will you receive a gallery link in your email? (If you do, try to wait until you have a quiet moment together to look at them! It really makes it a special experience). Or will you meet to preview them together, with your photographer? Whether it’s in person, or over a video chat, it’s nice to see your special moments come together in a beautiful slideshow and see the potential for different ways you can enjoy your images. I love to show my clients what their family looks like on their exact walls, to really get a feel for what it’s like to walk past your memories, each and every day. There is nothing quite like experiencing the love and joy that your family shares, and the way you first see your photos is important.

Questions to ask your photographer: What printed products do you offer?

There is nothing quite like seeing your family in gorgeous, heirloom print – whether it’s a gallery wall that you can smile up at from your kitchen table, a stunning album you can snuggle up together and flip through as a family, or little prints, placed thoughtfully around the home. As busy mothers, it’s nice to find a photographer that specializes in bringing your memories to life through tangible artwork, so that you walk away from your session with so much more than digital images, and an even larger to-do-list. Ask your photographer how they help you bring your memories to life and how long their products are meant to last. If you can find someone who specializes in heirloom products that are durable, beautiful and meant to be passed down through the generations, than you’re set for life!

There you have it – 5 important questions to ask your photographer before your Edmonton family photos! Have any other thoughtful questions to ask your photographer that we missed? Feel free to let us know below!

Kahla Kristen Photography is an award-winning Edmonton newborn, family and maternity photographer. She specializes in capturing the magic of baby’s first year of life, and helping her clients preserve their favourite memories through stunning, heirloom artwork such as albums and framed prints. Her custom design services bring your family’s story to life in a way that will be passed down for many generations.

Kahla serves Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and other surrounding areas. To learn more, click here. To contact Kahla to begin planning your dream session, come say hello here.

Mom and daughter’s wardrobe provided by the KKP client closet.
Mom’s complimentary hair and makeup by the talented Luxe Hair and Makeup
All film scanned and processed by The Canadian Film Lab