It is time! Session time!

So you have finally made it. You have made it through all the steps. You have picked a photographer, picked a location, decided on what to wear for your session, and now the day has come for that session. Believe it or not you are not quite done yet. Why? Because this where all the stress begins.

Why is there stress at the session?
The session with your photographer can be stressful for a number of reasons. Are you and everyone comfortable in front of the camera? Many would say yes because they are constantly taking selfies and always in front of a camera somewhere, however it all changes when you are in front of photographer. For some reason it triggers the thought process that it has to be perfect and that there can not be a single thing out of place. All of the sudden people lose their personalities and become very stiff and boring in front of the camera. This takes away from the magic of the photo that is about to be created.

Do you have body image issues?
The current standards of society can leave anyone with body images. Everyone is affected, men, women, and children alike. No one is able to escape these standards. If you have body image issues you are not alone, however realize that you are you, and the people that are going to be viewing your photos are going to love you for you. As long as you are happy with them they will be happy. Do not let the thoughts of self doubt in this area make you shy away from the camera or make you tense. Photos are a way to remember the past, and that is just it a moment in time. Be happy in that moment and love you for you.

During the Session.
Your session will be unique to you and those who are there. Even for the photographer. Even if this is a mini session that has a set up, it is still going to be totally unique from the previous session or the one to follow. Be comfortable with you and your photographer. Show who you really are and let your personality out. This makes for the best photos and also helps to relieve some of the stress from the idea of being in front of the camera to begin with. Your photographer is going to give you small cues or suggestions to guide you to different poses and to get the best angle or shot for you and your loved ones, but this by no means meant to be stressful.

If you have children with you to be photographed take a deep breath. The younger they are the more likely they are to be all over the place. Under no circumstances do not try and force younger children to pose or do something that is uncomfortable with. This will lead to lots of screaming, crying and frustration for all the parties that are involved. Your photographer will find a way to adapt and still get great photos for all of you. Just take a breath and let them play. If they are shy, let them be shy, they may or may not warm up, but a photo session can still be done with great images. My biggest suggestion to you as the parent is to not show that you are stressed due to the behavior of your child, and above all do not get angry and yell at them. It will only cause them to get upset, cry and make everything that much worse. So instead scoop them up, swing them around, love on them and make the session fun. Play with them, make the whole thing a game. It will not only help the child to become comfortable with the photographer, but you will have the chance to get some photos that you will cherish forever.

At the end of the session you and your photographer will part ways after having spent an amazing time together. It is always a temptation to demand to see all the outtakes on the back of the camera. Believe it or not, you don't want to see these shots. It may or may not ruin how you feel the session went. Remember that not every image is going to be perfect straight out of the camera and this can cause some unease with your photographer. Every photographer only wants to showcase their best work, and demanding to see the back of their camera can cause some ease, because you will not see just their best work. You can also cause doubt with the photographer about how happy you will be based upon your reaction at that time. Instead of stressing over the photos the minute that the session is complete walk away on a cloud. Remember you have just rocked a photo session, and like with all good things the photos will come in time. Be confident in yourself and your photographer that everything looks great.

Do you have any other thoughts to add? I would love to hear them! Please leave them in the comments below!