Three Tips for Great Photos with Your Kids

Everyone wants to have a great family photo and happy portraits with their kids. One of the things we hear the most is that parents are worried their kids will not cooperate. Don’t stress! We’ve got you covered on tips for how to achieve those picture perfect memories so you can relax and have fun along the way.

Timing is key.

There are several factors at work with the timing of the photo shoot. Photographers love shooting near sunrise and sunset because the lighting is golden and indirect, giving a colorful and magical feel to the photos. Try to plan around when your children are most likely to be rested and energetic. If they are up before dawn, an early morning shoot is best. If you have late sleepers, you may want to plan for a shoot later in the day after nap time and snacks.

Feed your kids before the shoot so they aren’t hungry, but don’t feed them during the shoot! If you feed your children during the shoot, you may end up with crumbs or stains in the photos. Bringing juice or water is a good idea. Even though the photo shoot usually lasts less than 45 minutes, your kids may be running around and playing and will get thirsty.

It is a good idea to have a backup outfit just in case of a spill or an accident; however, we don’t recommend changing clothes during the shoot. It breaks up the flow of the photo shoot and can turn a happy child into a grumpy one.

Have fun!

Your photographer will take a mix of posed portraits and candid action shots. Some of the best kid photos are captured when they’re allowed to be themselves. Their true personality comes out when they’re playing and being silly, so join in! Play with them - swing them in the air, hold hands and give hugs. These candid moments really capture what it is to be a family and you will treasure them for years to come.

Trust your photographer.

Your photographer has had years of experience photographing all ages of children and has some tricks up their sleeves to get natural smiles. Your job is to look at the camera and smile! There are countless times that the photographer is able to get the baby to look and smile, but the grownups are looking at the baby to see if he’s smiling or not. If your little child has a small toy that gets their attention, you may give it to the photographer to hold by the camera for their attention. Stay relaxed and don’t get frustrated about kids acting like kids - they will feel their parents’ stress and then no one looks like they are having a good time.

These three tips will set you up for a great photo session for the whole family with beautiful memories to treasure for a lifetime. Remember to have fun and let your kids be themselves.  Even if the photos come out with a few “kids being kids” moments, remember that this stage of life is fleeting and someday you will laugh about the tantrums and silly faces.

- Written by Marlise L. (Studio Em Photography at St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort)

Your Experience || What to Expect

At your scheduled time, your photographer will meet you and take you on a scenic photography tour of the resort grounds. They have mapped out some of the most beautiful places for photos and will make several different stops at these locations. The photography team focuses on a great quality shoot including different styles of photography such as Classic Portraiture, Artistic and Candid Photography. With the different backdrops we incorporate on your shoot we will have a great variety to choose from. The session is relaxed, fun and interactive.

One of the questions we get asked most frequently is, “What should we wear for our photo shoot?” Anything that you feel comfortable in is a good guideline since you will be walking and moving around. You may want shoes that are easy to slip on and off so that they can be removed when we take photos on the beach.

For families, you may decide to color coordinate your outfits. Choosing two or three complimentary colors will give your group photos a nice unified feeling. Patterns on the clothing are fine, but you may find that too large or busy patterns can distract from the faces in the photos.

While white clothing is classic and pairs beautifully with the lush scenery and beaches, a splash of bright color can add to the tropical feeling of your surroundings. Most importantly, wear something that you feel confident and comfortable in. You and your loved ones enjoying your photo shoot makes more of an impression than any outfit could.  

At the end of your session, you will be reminded of the time of your Viewing Session the following day to see your portfolio of photos and make your selections. We look forward to sharing our talents with you and creating memories for you to treasure for a lifetime.

- Written by Marlise L. (Studio Em Photography at St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort)

Visiting Hawaii || Trip of a Lifetime

Many of the people who visit the Islands of Hawaii are first timers. Many are celebrating something special, and some just finally made the time to take the long vacation out. When most first experience Hawaii, its almost like experiencing a different country with a culture, traditions, and even a language that is completely foreign. Steve and Elen were first timers to Hawaii, and they dove right in. 

Steve and Elen searched out the local cuisine, drove through the beauty of the aina, and even went to a luau to experience the culture of the Hawaiian Islands. Visiting us from Connecticut, and leaving their 6 boys behind, I can imagine that these two felt a renewed sense of youth and wonder exploring our island of Oahu. No doubt, a Hawaii beach photo session would allow them to continue to experience it for years to come.

Elen and Steve were guests at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on the south shore of Oahu. Lucky for them, it is one of the most beautiful sites on the island for a couples photography session. We spent a short half hour session with them walking the white sand beaches, and capturing their radiating love.

Its easy to fall in love with the island and not take the time to capture your Hawaii memories. In our experience, vacation passes way too quickly, so why not hire a vacation photographer to help you remember your visit and live it over and over in years to come. One thing I do know to be true, once you visit Hawaii for the first time, you will forever have an itch to come back. 

- Written by Julia J. (Pacific Dream Photography at The Kahala Resort)