Harvard Business School Family Portraits
BOSTON FAMILY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER
Deciding to photograph family portraits at Harvard Business School was a great choice for this family, not just because the campus is beautiful, but more importantly the location is close to home for them. Living in the Cambridge area, mom and dad knew they wanted to arrange family portraits somewhere in Boston, but one of the biggest considerations they — and most parents have when deciding to book a family session — is “how well will the kiddos do with the shoot?” As a parent myself, you do wonder if they will be tired, or cooperative, or if a meltdown is in the cards.
The good news is it’s very possible to enjoy a successful family session with young children by keeping in mind a few helpful tips. Tip #1: consider a session location not too far from where you live. Parents realize we’re often on borrowed time when planning an outing with toddlers and little kids, and you’ll know if a long trip in the car is to their benefit or if meeting somewhere close by to you is the better choice. Tip #2: bring snacks and a drink — perfect for not only when they’re hungry, but as a treat to negotiate with as needed. Tip #3: pack their favorite toy, blankie, or stuffie. These make for great distractions and inspire comfort with the newness of having their picture taken with someone they haven’t met before. Tip #4: let the kids be themselves. If they want to run about and explore, it’s better to let them take the lead rather than pinning them down for the camera. As your photographer, it’s my job to keep up with them and anticipate ideas. Plus, action moments make for wonderful, candid images. Asking your child to pick out a spot for a picture or letting them view an image of themselves on my camera are great ways to build trust and sustain their interest.
On my end, I love keeping the session fun, and there’s some truth to the idea that the more relaxed we are as parents, the more relaxed the kids. Don’t worry too much if your son or daughter becomes restless or fussy. We can take breaks. We will ultimately capture great pictures. Photographs freeze time, and though there might be some hard work involved in getting the kiddos to stay the course, all the camera sees is a fraction of a moment, and those moments are beautiful.
