10 Tips for a Great Family Studio Photoshoot {An Orange Studios Review}

Confession: I love having professional photoshoots. You get lovely photos of happy faces, in good lighting with coordinated outfits, What's there not to love, right? 

So when a photoshoot opportunity came up with Orange Studios, I jumped at the chance. To me it's not just about the kids, but also the fact that finally, one of us doesn't have to be stuck behind the camera (by which I mean my husband) and we'd still have the assurance that the photos will come out well. I also thought it would be a great opportunity to get some nice shots of the kids with my parents as my parents are rather camera shy, and I therefore don't have many grandparent-grandchildren photos. 

This was to be our first indoor studio shoot with the kids and I was a bit worried about how my kids would take to being within a confines of a studio. As it turned out, it was more fun than I had anticipated, thanks to the patience of of Ryan, our photographer, and his lovely assistant Wini. My kids were not in the most cooperative of moods but Ryan still continued to engage them, and well, you can see the results!

In the process, I also learnt a few tricks about getting the most out of your family studio photoshoot. Here are my TOP 10 TIPS:

 #1: Communicate with your photographer

I think one of the most important things you must do after -- and maybe even before -- selecting your photographer is to speak to him to get an understanding of his style. It's one thing to have a nice portfolio, but what's he like, what's his working style, and what can you expect on the day of your shoot? I was rather impressed with Orange Studios even before I stepped into their studio because they were prompt in answering my e-mails and queries, and the day before the shoot, I received a call from our photographer, Ryan, to confirm our appointment and also to for him to understand more about us as a family, and for us to discuss what we wanted to achieve during the photoshoot. I was able to tell him what shots I wanted: in this case, good shots of the kids with their grandparents. Ryan worked hard to indeed give us some good group shots to choose from.

#2: Plan your outfits (yes, in plural)

By this I mean colour-coordinate your outfits, or if you have fun matching outfits, wear them! I'd gotten these dinosaur tees for Noey's 4th birthday last year and thought this was a great time for all of us to wear them together again! I thought it added a fun touch. Without custom tees or outfits, another good way to coordinate is simply by wearing the same colour, or clothes in the same colour family. We've done photoshoots in pink and red before, so this time, I instructed everyone to wear blue. One advantage of having a studio shoot versus an outdoor one is that it is much easier to change your outfits mid-shoot, so do it! A change of clothes brings a different look and a different feel to your photos.

#3: Bring along meaningful props 

This tip actually originated from our photographer, Ryan. During our pre-photoshoot chat, he had asked about our interests and the activities we enjoyed as a family, and offered some suggestions of items that we could bring along to make the shoot more personal. Like the kids' favourite toys, for example, or the books they loved, or games we played together as a family. In the end we ended up bringing a bag full go Noey's favourite Lego dinosaurs, Meips' soft toys (aka her children), Meips' wooden tea sets, Lego figurines for father and son, and some of Noey's books. I actually wanted to bring the scooter skates, more Lego sets, our badminton racquets, some board games, but it was just impossible to bring all of it! (I would have tried but the husband strongly objected.) But looking at the pictures, I can see that having our own props was a great idea because they made the photos ours. I can see myself looking at these photos years later and smiling not just at how little and cute my kids were, but also at these favourite toys of theirs that have played a part in their growing up years.

#4: Have lots of Snacks/Treats at hand!

I don't think this needs further elaboration. Just make sure you have them for when you need that extra incentive for the kids to cooperate!

#5: Choose a good time

Half the job is done when the kids are in a good mood, so pick a time when they are at their most alert and energetic. Work around nap times and make sure that everyone is well fed and happy! (By that I mean the adults too!)

#6: Be natural and spontaneous

A studio photoshoot doesn't mean that the photos have to be stiff and posed. We've had one of those before at an old-school studio when we took our graduation shots. I guess that is a rite of passage for most Singaporean university graduates, but studio shots need not be that way. At Orange Studios, we were encouraged to just be ourselves in front of the camera. Try cuddling, tickling or even upside down! The toys naturally also helped a lot too. 

#7: Bring along an extra pair of hands

With kids, it always helps to have extra help. I'd invited my parents to join us for the photoshoot so they doubled up as minders and also helped to make the kids smile -- or at least look in the right direction! When we were all in the photo, Wini (the photographer's assistant) kindly stepped in to help. 

#8: Take breaks if necessary

Where you've booked a photographer and are paying for his time, the tendency would be to try to squeeze in as many shots as possible. Remember the law of diminishing returns? That's how it is when you try to force the kids to comply when they've lost all interest. When the kids began to act up, we let them off and took some couple shots instead. Tho sometimes they'd want back in again at the most inopportune times!

#9: Mix it up

You don't always need smiles for a good photo. Try getting the kids to roar, sing, or shout out some of their favourite phrases. My kids like to say something silly together and then burst into heaps of laughter after that. It always makes for a cute photo. Dance, jump, do something crazy!

#10: Enjoy yourself!

Lastly, don't forget to have fun. When the smiles are genuine, the photos will always look good.

Thanks Orange Studios for capturing the moments and the memories!

** A Special Life is in the Small Things Reader's Promotion! **

Orange Studios is offering a $150 cash voucher to all readers of this blog if you book a photoshoot with them between now till 13 December 2013. The photoshoot has to take place within 2 months of this post, ie. by 13 January 2014, and the cash voucher can be offset against the cost of your package. Simply quote "Life is in the Small Things" when making your booking to qualify!

Orange Studios is also currently offering a fun "Mischief" Pre-Christmas Special on for 23 and 24 November 2013 where, for $280 you get a 20 min family photoshoot and a DVD with all soft copy images from the session. You can also get a set of personalised Christmas/New Year cards with your family photo from the session for an additional $50.

Contact Orange Studios at 8606 9650 or at contact@orangestudios.sg for enquiries and bookings. Do also check out their Facebook Page for more updates and offers.

*Our photoshoot was sponsored by Orange Studios for the purpose of this post but I received no commission or other monetary payment. And will not be receiving any payment or commission in future either, in case you're wondering. As always, my opinions are my own.