For many busy families, fall arrives in a blur of school routines, sports practices, and holiday planning. Before you know it, it’s October or even November. Suddenly, you’re scrambling to schedule family photos. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That’s why Baby Notebook partnered with lifestyle family photographer Ashley Kaplan to bring you expert family photography tips that make the entire process feel lighter, easier, and even fun.
Ashley’s warm, natural approach to lifestyle photography has helped countless families enjoy their sessions instead of stressing over them. Below, she shares her philosophy, practical advice, and her best insights into planning a smoother, more joyful family photo experience no matter the season.
In this blog post, we explore:
- Why Lifestyle Family Photography Matters
- The Joy in Freezing Time
- Family Photography Tips for Stress-free Holiday Sessions
- How to Prep Kids for a Fun, Low-stress Session
- Your Photographer as Guide
- Preserve Your Session with Baby Notebook
Why Lifestyle Family Photography Matters
Photography is about creating heirlooms. As Ashley explains in one of her most important family photography tips, the heart of lifestyle photography is authenticity and emotion.
To better understand her approach, we started by asking:
What does it mean to you to be a lifestyle photographer?
Ashley: “When I think about family photography, I am thinking about creating heirlooms that children and grandchildren will one day look at. I want my photos to be a time machine that helps transport my clients back in time. I want my images to feel authentic, emotive, and natural. I only work with clients for an hour at a time, so the lifestyle photography is about setting the stage for those natural, candid, and connected moments to occur within that time frame. I do offer some gentle posing direction guidance as needed, and I have prompts to help get the emotion flowing when needed.”
Lifestyle photography helps families feel at ease. That’s especially valuable when kids are involved. Rather than forcing smiles, focus on natural interactions that result in images full of genuine connection.
The Joy in Freezing Time
Family life moves fast. Savoring it is one of the greatest gifts photography can offer. It’s one of Ashley’s biggest motivations to document families.
What do you love most about being a family photographer?
Ashley: “What I most love about being a family photographer is that I have the magical ability to freeze time through my photographs.”
At their heart, the best family photography helps you create images that let you relive moments again and again.
Family Photography Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Sessions
If you want beautiful holiday photos without the last-minute rush, planning early is key.
When should families reach out to schedule holiday sessions?
Ashley: “This is really dependent on each photographer and how they plan their schedules. For me, I tend to book out months in advance, and I open my holiday fall schedule to my returning clients and newsletter list first. I typically open that schedule in July, and 75% of my fall dates get booked right away. By September, I'm usually mostly booked out, so the best way to book a holiday session with me is to be on my newsletter list and book right when I open my schedule.”
Families have the best chance of working with their photographer of choice if they set a reminder to reach out in the summer. Better yet, join your photographer’s mailing list so you never miss booking windows.
How to Prep Kids for a Fun, Low-Stress Session
Parents often worry about how kids will behave, but the right photographer can help everyone relax.
How should families prep kids for photo sessions?
Ashley: “I would recommend that families tell their kids that they're going on a fun adventure as a family. This allows kids to go out and explore, connect with their family, connect with nature, and connect with each other. When the kids are having a good time, you tend to get the best natural candid smiles and emotions.”
Framing a family photo session as an adventure shifts the tone. It takes off the pressure and centers connection.
You can also get kids excited about the session by letting them help pick outfits. Coordinating outfits doesn’t have to mean matching perfectly. Ashley encourages families to stay true to themselves.
Any tips for what families should wear?
Ashley: “I offer my clients free access to a styling service, and I also have a blog post where I share some tips. Mostly, I want wardrobe to be true to their authentic selves and a slightly more spiffed up version of that. So I usually recommend picking clothes that they love and feel good in and planning the family outfits around a color palette. I don’t like clothes too matchy but rather recommend clothes be coordinated around a select color palette.”
Choose comfort, confidence, and cohesion. Like all good family photography tips, this will keep everyone happier for your session.
Your Photographer as Your Guide
One of the perks of working with a family photographer is that you don't need to study poses or plan every detail.
Is there any piece of advice you give all of your clients before a session?
Ashley: “That they don't need to know how to do anything, that it is my job to guide them into the best backdrop and lighting. Then they should just be themselves. My job is to make the art out of their memories.”
Let the photographer handle the technical side; your only job is to show up as yourselves and enjoy some family time.
If you take away one thing from Ashley’s family photography tips, make it the importance of presence.
What's your best tip for families who want to enjoy their session rather than stress over it?
Ashley: “Be present! This is like an hour of super attuned family time. I like clients to be free to be themselves, let the kids be kids, and just go with whatever happens. Oh and try not to stress as much as possible.”
Family photos are about the experience as much as they are about the pictures.
Preserve Your Session with Baby Notebook
Once you have your beautiful lifestyle images, Baby Notebook makes it simple to preserve them in a memory book you can treasure forever. Busy families get an easy, modern way to turn their holiday photos and everyday moments alike into keepsakes you’ll actually print and enjoy.
Ready for more simplicity in family memory-keeping? Download the Baby Notebook app and start your custom album today.
Thank you to Ashley Kaplan for sharing her beautiful photos for this blog post. You can see more of her work on her website.