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Gia Chong Photography

Gia Chong Photography

Families, Family Photo Session, Kids Photography, Lodi CA, Photo Shoot Tips, Stockton CA
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Prepping Kids for Your Family Photo Shoot | Northern California

“Will my child(ren) cooperate during the family photo shoot?”  This is probably one of the most stressful questions a parent can ask him or herself.  I can see how it worries parents because they paid for a photographer and then their child has a melt down during the session. From my experience, here are some tips that help kiddos get ready for family photo shoots.

Mention Nap Time to Your Photographer

If you have a child who naps, mention this to your photographer.  I normally ask about nap times and adjust the session schedule to avoid the “cranky time” kiddos experience before going down for their nap.  This may mean that your family photo shoot time will not be during golden hour (1 hour before sunset) but a good photographer should be able to adjust and recommend an alternate time and place that has great light to accommodate your child’s nap schedule.

Talk to your kids about the shoot

I encourage parents to talk to their kids about the shoot before the session date.  Maybe mention the family photo shoot as the reason why you and your family are choosing/shopping for new clothes.  If parents set expectations and build it up as a fun thing to do, it helps kids view the experience positively.  For older children, let them know how you feel about this shoot and how you would like their cooperation.  Within reason, you can have the older kids choose their shoot outfits.

Be as Full and Rested as Possible

You want your family to be as full and rested as possible before the shoot.  Feeling sleepy or hungry during the session can be an Express Ticket to Cranky Town for the little ones, big kids and even the adults!  Having a snack before leaving for the session should be a priority in your photo shoot prep. 

Praising Good Listeners

For Preschoolers to around 3rd graders, “Good Listener” is such a powerful phrase. They want to be called good listeners!  Aside from telling the kids that I am looking for good listeners, if parents allow it, I let them know good listeners get a prize for listening during the session.  I encourage parents to bring candies or crackers that motivate their kids best or set up a post shoot treat like ice cream for good listeners. I normally have a ziplock bag of snack sized chocolate with me during shoots.  It is a treat bag for everyone, even the adults and big kids!

Give your children and yourself GRACE!

At the end of the day, the little ones are kids and will behave like kids!  If you have done as much as you can preparing them for the session, give them and yourself grace.  It is ok!  I try to incorporate a lot of play and movement for families with younger children to keep the little ones engaged.  I also try to do breaks or break out groups to give the little one a chance to regroup.  If some of your photos have your little one crying or cranky, that is ok.  Part of photography is documenting how your family is in a particular season in life.  

Holiday Family Photo

Want to work with me?

I hope these tips reduce your stress and empower you as you prepare for your family shoot!  Want to work with me?  Click the Contact link in the menu to set up your FREE Consult Call with me!  Check out more of  my work at giachongphotography.com.

TAGS:family photo sessionsKids Photography
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@giachongphotography

Doing a happy dance!  I am officially SOLD OUT for Holiday Mini Sessions for 2022! I am looking forward to serving the 40 families who signed up with me for Oct and Nov. mini sessions.  To my returning and new clients - thank you, thank you, thank you!  This season is going to be EPIC! ⁠
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As always, much thanks to the lovely @morganpotterphoto for my Yay headshot 😊⁠
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#minisessions #soldout #holidayminisessions #redtruckminisession #grateful #yay #stocktonminisessionphotographer #lodiminisessionphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography
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Doing a happy dance! I am officially SOLD OUT for Holiday Mini Sessions for 2022! I am looking forward to serving the 40 families who signed up with me for Oct and Nov. mini sessions. To my returning and new clients - thank you, thank you, thank you! This season is going to be EPIC! ⁠ ⁠ As always, much thanks to the lovely @morganpotterphoto for my Yay headshot 😊⁠ ⁠ #minisessions #soldout #holidayminisessions #redtruckminisession #grateful #yay #stocktonminisessionphotographer #lodiminisessionphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography
4 months ago
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Dina @rodijuha08_doky and her family are avid #HarryPotter fans!  So I was not surprised when they asked if a portion of their #FamilySession be Potter themed!  If the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music stood as Marshall College for Indiana Jones, I then thought the campus would also be a great stand in for #Hogwarts! Check out this #reel to see all the magical fun we had 😃⁠
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#magic #wizards #familysession #themedfamilysession #ravenclaw #gryffindor #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodiphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #familyphotoshoot #giachongphotography #UOPacific⁠
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Dina @rodijuha08_doky and her family are avid #HarryPotter fans! So I was not surprised when they asked if a portion of their #FamilySession be Potter themed! If the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music stood as Marshall College for Indiana Jones, I then thought the campus would also be a great stand in for #Hogwarts! Check out this #reel to see all the magical fun we had 😃⁠ ⁠ #magic #wizards #familysession #themedfamilysession #ravenclaw #gryffindor #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodiphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #familyphotoshoot #giachongphotography #UOPacific⁠ ⁠ ⁠
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I feel like I won the lottery!  I have 11 people and 3 out of 4 dogs looking at the camera!  Sioxson Family for the win! 😁 ⁠
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It's been a pleasure to work with Jenn @sunandski and her family for the past 2 years/4 shoots 😊 Last Sunday's session was special because all her kids and significant others were in town. We also had 4 fur babies join us.  They set the bar high for large family sessions!⁠
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#extendedfamilysession #familysession #familysessionwithdogs #familyphotographer #UOPacific #stocktonfamilyphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #lodiphotographer #furbabies #giachongphotography #sneakpeek
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I feel like I won the lottery! I have 11 people and 3 out of 4 dogs looking at the camera! Sioxson Family for the win! 😁 ⁠ ⁠ It's been a pleasure to work with Jenn @sunandski and her family for the past 2 years/4 shoots 😊 Last Sunday's session was special because all her kids and significant others were in town. We also had 4 fur babies join us. They set the bar high for large family sessions!⁠ ⁠ #extendedfamilysession #familysession #familysessionwithdogs #familyphotographer #UOPacific #stocktonfamilyphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #lodiphotographer #furbabies #giachongphotography #sneakpeek
4 months ago
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Looking forward to photographing Dina @rodijuha08_doky and her family again!  Tomorrow's session would be their 4th family shoot with me since they moved to California.  We'll be shooting at UOP, one of my favorite locations and we'll get to play with some themed ideas.  SUPER EXCITED!! Hope your weekend plans are as exciting as mine!⁠
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#familysession #familyphotoshoot #familyphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #kidphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography
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Looking forward to photographing Dina @rodijuha08_doky and her family again! Tomorrow's session would be their 4th family shoot with me since they moved to California. We'll be shooting at UOP, one of my favorite locations and we'll get to play with some themed ideas. SUPER EXCITED!! Hope your weekend plans are as exciting as mine!⁠ ⁠ #familysession #familyphotoshoot #familyphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #kidphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography
4 months ago
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Happy National Coffee Day! Make sure you grab a hot or cold one today!  With all my @Starbucks cups, can you guess if I like hot or iced coffee? 😅⁠ Swipe left to see my go to drink. 
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#NationalCoffeeDay #Coffee #Icedshakenespresso #Starbucks #StarbucksCups #IcedCoffee #Headshot #Brandphotographer #Brandphotography #GiaChongPhotography
Happy National Coffee Day! Make sure you grab a hot or cold one today!  With all my @Starbucks cups, can you guess if I like hot or iced coffee? 😅⁠ Swipe left to see my go to drink. 
⁠
#NationalCoffeeDay #Coffee #Icedshakenespresso #Starbucks #StarbucksCups #IcedCoffee #Headshot #Brandphotographer #Brandphotography #GiaChongPhotography
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Happy National Coffee Day! Make sure you grab a hot or cold one today! With all my @Starbucks cups, can you guess if I like hot or iced coffee? 😅⁠ Swipe left to see my go to drink. ⁠ #NationalCoffeeDay #Coffee #Icedshakenespresso #Starbucks #StarbucksCups #IcedCoffee #Headshot #Brandphotographer #Brandphotography #GiaChongPhotography
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Happy National Sons Day Adrian @emperorchong982! ⁠
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Thank you for always humoring me when I tell you that you will be in a photo shoot (even when you don't want to 😅). You are always ready with a smile when I ask (like here with your Godmother Joy and Ate JD). I thank God for you and how you have enriched your parents' lives. ⁠
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Good luck on race day today at Lodi Lake Park 😀⁠
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Happy National Sons Day Adrian @emperorchong982! ⁠ ⁠ Thank you for always humoring me when I tell you that you will be in a photo shoot (even when you don't want to 😅). You are always ready with a smile when I ask (like here with your Godmother Joy and Ate JD). I thank God for you and how you have enriched your parents' lives. ⁠ ⁠ Good luck on race day today at Lodi Lake Park 😀⁠ ⁠ #boymom #nationalsonsday #mom #son #portraitphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography
4 months ago
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